Once the sun was up, Finn and Lily prepared themselves to go on a Church hunt. They both dressed elegantly with the clothes they brought with them then headed out to get breakfast. Brilliant beams of the sun that denoted the sun’s trip in the sky gave a splendid shade to the mountains and valleys that overlooked the town.
“What do you feel like taking?” Lily asked him as they walked on the smooth, gray, concrete sidewalk.
“Coffee…and a croissant or two.” Lily chuckled at his answer. Ever since that day he got into the bakery Lily worked in and bought a croissant, Finn made it known to her that it was his favorite pastry.
“What about you?” Finn asked her as they continued walking hand in hand in the nameless streets.
“Chamomile tea and…a scone. The big kind of scone.”
They walked down the vibrant street and found a nice-looking local café with the color of supermarket oranges with that shiny look. Café 89. It was small and was just opened when they both got in. The outdoor café tables had green sun umbrellas with small vases of white carnation flowers on each table, and a grey stone floor.
They could smell the fresh coffee being brewed and pastries being baked as they walked in and immediately spotted the glass-fonted counter that had an array of English muffins and other pastries. Daily specials were written on a chalk board at the entrance, the waiters and waitresses present were smartly dressed in coffee brown and white and the terracotta rustic floors were sparkling clean.
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Lily adjusted her blue, floral, knee length, high waist skirt as she sat on the leathery seats of the café. The area she sat in had a large window that overlooked the streets full of Halloween themed stores and people rushing to their workplaces. She sulked at the sight and wished she could do more to save souls from Satan’s grabby paws. She wished she could inform them of the pagan rituals and ceremonies they blindly celebrated. That they had nothing to do with the Bible or God at all.
A menu was placed before her, snapping her out of her thoughts. Finn smiled at her as he sat down beside her and she smiled back. They both ran their eyes over the menu and decided what to order. A plump waitress walked over to them with a scribbling pad and a pen in hand. She’d tied her jet black hair in pigtails and looked more of a child than her actual age.
“Morning. What would you like to order?” An overzealous smile appeared on her chubby cheeks.
“I would like a black coffee and two croissants please.” Finn pleasantly ordered.
“Chamomile tea and a vanilla muffin.” She closed the menu as the waitress jotted down their orders.
“Thought you’d order a big scone.” Finn sarcastically commented.
“Changed my mind.” Shrugged her shoulders.
They ate their breakfast in peace with few townspeople coming in and going out after ordering their to-go-coffee or a pastry or both. They soon left the café and headed back into the streets as they looked and asked around for directions for the church. It took them a couplr of minutes to get to the Seventh Day Adventist Church that was located near the town’s edge, surrounded by aged maple trees. The ushers welcomed them with a nicely printed leaflet that informed them of the church’s activities for the day. It included the pastor’s name, the deacons and deaconesses in charge, the choir, the elder in charge, the Bible verse of the day, and the theme song.
The windows brought in fresh air as the people sung the Sabbath song;
Verse 1 Don’t forget the Sabbath, The Lord our God hath blest, Of all the week the brightest, Of all the week the best; It brings repose from labor, It tells of joy divine, Its beams of light descending, With heavenly beauty shine.
Verse 2 Keep the Sabbath holy, And worship Him today, Who said to His disciples, “I am the living way;” And if we meekly follow Our Savior here below, He’ll give us of the fountain Whose streams eternal flow.
Verse 3 Day of sacred pleasure! Its golden hours we’ll spend In thankful hymns to Jesus, The children’s dearest Friend; O gentle loving, Savior, How good and kind Thou art, How precious is Thy promise To dwell in every heart!
They joined the church members in worship and the pulpit was filled.
Soon, the pastor to lead them on the day’s sermon was welcomed. He introduced himself as Pastor Sergey from Slovakia. He’d travelled a long way as per the request of one of the Church elders who happened to be a good friend of his.
“As we all know…the Sunday rule has been enforced in various countries in different continents.” He stated with a sullen face.
“Be prepared for the trials we all will face for the sake of the truth. Be zealous, devoted and ardent, knowing no fear but the fear of God, and acknowledging no foundation for religious faith but the Holy Scriptures as Martin Luther advised. Be vigilant in prayer and ‘choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.’” He scratches his manly, gritty stubble.
“Many have been deceived despite being warned. We, have failed to save these souls but worry not. God is still with us. God is still with them. He opened his Holy Bible. ” Flipping the delicate pages he stopped to read, “This is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light." John 3:19
Sergey preached on about faith, courage and strength that the people should employ. He advised them to not give up on God’s truth; the Holy Scriptures. He also gave them cliff notes on how they should defend themselves through the divine words of God that would shield them, and still continue proclaiming the truth.
“It’s only a matter of time till this town’s councilmen, and governor gives in to enforcing the blue laws to the people.” He ended his sermon with that statement.
The church’s deaconesses had prepared food for the members the previous night. They served the people nicely made rice, lentils, mashed potatoes and a banana as they lined up at the backyard. Finn and Lily thanked the Lord for the food provided to them once they’d sat down on the backyard grass. Luckily, Lily had carried with her a white and grey plaid shoal and they used it as a mat.
“Hello there. Sorry to interrupt you guys.” Pastor Sergey introduced himself. His rover-blue, almond shaped eyes captured their interest.
“No problem, sir. How can we be of service?” Finn meekly asked.
“You both already are fulfilling God’s will. Here,” he hands them a card with his phone number and home address, “I have a feeling I’ll be seeing you soon.” Sergey’s scythe-shaped brows relaxed as he smiled with a slightly crinkled hawkish nose.
Finn took the card and carefully placed it in his jacket’s pocket. They both had a feeling that Sergey was telling the truth. Their mission might lead them out of this town and country. Even the continent. They had a huge task to finish. Sergey left their sight with a leopard-like grace making his Viking-gold hair crack against his shoulders.
Evening came and both Finn and Lily got back to the motel with their food in hand. A powerful feeling filled their hearts from the time the church session was over till now. They had a strong feeling that led them to their old King James Bibles that were safely tucked in their backpacks. Opening the Bibles, a message was left in a small note by an unknown person. Finn read out the words, “Make haste.”
