Page 14 of Wish You Faith

The director nodded. “It’s the location that we can’t miss. Tourists come to Savannah, and they all flock to River Street. This is where Riverside Chapel wants to have church. However, rent is prohibitive. This riverboat is free for this season in time.”

This season in time.

“Does the church have a property in mind?” Evan asked.

“There are a couple of warehouses along the river that are being repurposed, but Pastor Flores and the deacons insist on operating debt free. So we need a miracle to find a sizable building to move to.”

He could be a part of that miracle if only Mom would let him have access to his trust fund three years early. Even going back to work at Cavanaugh Shipping wouldn’t be enough to buy properties in downtown Savannah with cash in hand.

As they turned a corner, Evan heard children singing and laughing.

“Thank you for volunteering,” the director said. “We don’t usually allow visitors to volunteer in the children’s area, but Cyrus and Amy vouched for you, and you know Rosie Hamilton, so you’re okay.”

“Do you do background checks on Sunday school workers?” Evan asked.

“Yes, we do if they’re permanent workers.”

“So Rosie passed the background checks.” He said it casually.

The director smiled. “She’s a sweet girl. Law abiding. Doesn’t even get a traffic ticket. She’s going to make a terrific mother some day.”

“Did she say she wants to be one?”

“Why don’t you ask her that yourself?” The director knocked on the door.

When it opened and Evan saw Rosie, he couldn’t help smiling. She seemed to have that effect on him.

Rosie held a Bible in her hand, and she was wearing a lavender wool sweater over a pair of black pants. “Oh, you found a volunteer. Thank you, Clara. What a surprise, Evan.”

“I’m surprised too. Didn’t expect to be teaching third graders this morning.”

“Come on in. We’re about to start reading the Bible.” Rosie stepped aside to let Evan in. “Thank you for volunteering. Michelle is at home with the flu, so I’m here with seven kids. Felt overwhelmed. But God sent you today.”

Evan felt bad. He had volunteered to be in Rosie’s Sunday school class this morning because he wanted to see her again, not because he was altruistically filling in for a sick Sunday school teacher per se.

Regardless of his selfish motivation, he was here now. Maybe Romans 8:28 was playing out. God could indeed work out all things for their good.

Evan looked around. The classroom looked like it might have been a large stateroom with most of the furniture removed except for a small rectangular folding table and two chairs, plus what looked like a small dorm-room refrigerator next to the table. A bank of windows on the outer wall brought in morning sunlight. Evan could see Hutchinson Island across the Savannah River.

On the walls were posters and bulletin boards. The kids sat on a giant rug on the floor.

“I didn’t know you were volunteering today.” Rosie motioned for him to sit anywhere.

“I came to church early to join Cyrus and Amy in their Sunday school class, when the announcement came that one of the teachers called in sick today and they needed a volunteer,” Evan explained. “At first, I ignored it, but when they said that it was the only Sunday school class for third graders, I figured it was you.”

“Thank you.” Rosie glanced at the clock on the wall. “We usually start with a Bible reading. Then we play games and have some snacks before their parents pick them up.”

“Okay. Sounds good.” Evan waited to see where Rosie sat. To see her better, he decided to sit across from wherever she was sitting.

Rosie sat down by the wall, her legs stretched out on the floor. Her colorful socks—purple this time—matched her lavender sweater. The seven kids sat around her in a circle.

Evan found a place somewhere in the circle and sat cross-legged between two boys who looked like twins.

Rosie looked a bit shy, and maybe surprised to see Evan in the Sunday school room.

“Everyone, this is Mr. Evan,” Rosie said. Everyone greeted him. “How about we go around the room? Say your name so that Mr. Evan knows who you are.”

Evan could see that everyone wore a name tag except for him.

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