I Wasn't Expecting That

Hope Bend was a small town in South Carolina that mirrored many small towns depicted in movies. It was a town where everyone knew everyone else. Men still played board games outside the general store, which was still named The General Store. Children still rode their bikes around in their neighborhoods, visiting with friends until the street lights came on, and unsupervised for the most part. One of Hope Bend's most well-known landmarks was the old country church. The church was founded in 1885. The church steeple stood tall, the perfect accent for the surrounding trees, Magnolias, Red Maples, and Flowering Dogwoods, depending on the season. For Hope Bend residents, it was a sanctuary from the chaos beyond its borders. That was especially true for Amy Baldwin who wasn't expecting that when she first moved to Hope Bend.

Amy grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. She was used to the city life, but in the months before moving to South Carolina, she had become dissatisfied with life. She lost both parents in the same year. Her dad died in an auto accident. Six months later, her mother passed away from a long-fought battle with cancer. She loved her job as a full-time substitute teacher but hadn't felt fulfilled there in the weeks before moving to Hope Bend.

Amy's pastor was an old friend of the pastor of Hope Bend Baptist Church, the old country church with the beautiful tall steeple. He suggested that Amy move there, at least for a little while, so she could spend time away from the city, allow her spirit to calm, and hopefully regain her sense of purpose. Amy agreed but hadn't expected to fall in love with the quaint little town. Her pastor helped her get a job at Hope Bend Baptist as an assistant to the church secretary. It wasn't much money, but she also agreed to live rent-free in the basement apartment of one of the church members. It was supposed to be for a short time, but now Amy never wanted to leave.

One Sunday afternoon, after the service ended, Amy noticed a flyer on the bulletin board in the main foyer. "Volunteer Opportunity: Summer Camp for Underprivileged Kids." The camp would be held at the community center down the street from the church and not far from Amy's apartment. The flyer said the camp would provide kids with enriching activities and mentorship and promised to be a safe haven. Amy considered the opportunity. This little community had become so special to her. This could be a way she could give back.

After most of the church members left, Amy approached Pastor Ed to ask him if he thought she would be a good fit as a volunteer. He encouraged her to volunteer. The camp hours were long, beginning at 8am but lasting until 9pm. Pastor Ed said the longer evening hours help keep kids off the streets at night and hopefully out of trouble. The camp was scheduled to begin the next week and lasted all summer. Amy could volunteer after work for as long as she wanted.

A week later, Amy pulled into the community center's parking lot. Kids were running all around. Most looked excited to start camp, but a few others looked more unsure. Anthony Williams, the camp organizer, called all the kids to order and assigned each one to a volunteer. Amy was assigned 10 kids, each bringing their own unique challenges and struggles.

One of the kids assigned to Amy was Marcus. Marcus was nine years old with dirty blonde hair and deep blue eyes. Amy recognized him as one of the kids who looked unsure as if he felt out of place. While the kids played a game of basketball in the gym, Anthony told Amy a little about Marcus's story. The boy had lived most of his life in a shelter with his mother. He didn't like new situations or meeting new people.

Amy glanced over at Marcus. He wasn't playing any games or interacting with other kids. He looked lost. Amy approached Marcus and knelt at his level. "Hi, Marcus. I'm Amy. Would you like to play a game? Do you have a favorite?"

Marcus looked around the gym. On the opposite half-court from the basketball game was a game of dodgeball. On the sidelines of the large gym, kids were playing with jump ropes, and several groups were playing board games on the gym floor. "Basketball looks fun, but I don't know how to play."

Amy smiled at Marcus warmly. "I can teach you. Let's start by shooting a few hoops over there on the side goal. Does that sound like a fun start to you?"

Marcus wasn't so sure, but there was something about Amy that he liked. He felt safe with her. "Sure."

Amy scanned the gym to check on the other nine kids assigned to her. They were all engaged in activities. She grabbed a basketball from the rack and walked to the side basketball goal with Marcus. Amy shot a couple of hoops to show Marcus a few techniques that might help him shoot successfully. Over the next several weeks, Amy and Marcus bonded over basketball lessons. Amy organized two small teams so that they could play against each other. She taught Marcus and the other kids how to dribble the ball, pass it, guard the goal, and even sneaky ways to steal the ball from the opposing team. Amy watched Marcus not only learn to play a sport and love it, but he was also learning to interact with other kids. He became more sure of himself, looking less lost and out of place each day. Marcus was making friends and finding a place to belong.

Marcus looked forward to each day of summer camp, running inside every day to enthusiastically greet his new friends. One morning, Marcus walked into the community center, but instead of greeting his friends, he sat on the bottom row of the gym bleachers. He didn't look lost like he had looked at the beginning of the summer, but he looked sad. Amy sat down beside Marcus and asked him gently. "Good morning, Marcus. Is something wrong?"

"Well, kind of," Marcus began with a soft voice. "A few days ago, Daniel asked me over to his house. My mom took me over there, and it was a fun day." Marcus stopped, reluctant to continue.

"If it was such a fun day, why are you so sad?" Amy wanted to know what was weighing so heavily on Marcus.

"I'm kind of embarrassed." Marcus continued. "Daniel said he wanted to come to my house someday, but I don't have a house. My mom keeps saying she is going to get us out of the shelter so we can have a real home, but we are still there."

Amy's heart broke for Marcus. He wanted an everyday life where kids spend time at each other's homes, eat dinners together, and enjoy sleepovers. "That's tough, Marcus. I understand you are growing impatient, but you can always trust God's timing. You are not alone. God loves you and your mom, Marcus. You can trust Him with your life, and I'll always be here for you as well.

Marcus wanted to believe as much as Amy that God would provide a home for him and his mom, but he wasn't as hopeful as Amy. "Miss Amy, how do you know God cares for my mom and me?

With a comforting smile, she replied, “He has a plan for each of us, even when things seem hard to understand. Sometimes, hope can come from unexpected places.”

As summer edged closer to fall, the camp became a place of safety and joy for Amy and the children. They shared their challenges, dreams, and joys. Bonding over games, laughter, and heartfelt discussions. Marcus, in particular, learned to laugh as he learned to trust other kids, Amy, and God.

One evening, the kids were enjoying crafts. They were making friendship bookmarks. The kids wrote their favorite friendship quotes, phrases, and Bible verses on each bookmark. They were instructed to make as many bookmarks as they wanted to give to friends. "Miss Amy, can I make one for my mom?"

"Of course you can, Marcus. She will love it." Marcus gathered enough materials to make enough bookmarks to give to all of his new friends and his mom, and he secretly planned to make one for his new best friend, too. He hoped Amy would love it.

The leaves on the trees outside the community center began to change from green to shades of yellows, oranges, and soft browns. Summer camp was ending, and Amy was filled with mixed emotions. Although she enjoyed her job at the church, she had missed her job as a substitute teacher. She knew she would enjoy working with the summer camp kids, but she wasn't expecting that she would get so attached to them, especially Marcus.

On the last night of summer camp, all the camp counselors, the volunteers, and the kids sat around a campfire. Each child took turns sharing what they had learned and how the summer camp experience impacted them.

Soon, it was Marcus's turn. He stood with a confidence he had not known when he first arrived at camp weeks ago. He was holding two bookmarks in his hand. "I want to thank Miss Amy for teaching me that I can still trust God even when life is hard. His timing is perfect, and His plan for me is good. I made this bookmark for my mom. I wrote a Bible verse on it to remind her that she can also trust God. I also made one for you, Miss Amy, so that if things get hard, you will remember to trust God too. I want you to always remember what you taught me."

Marcus handed Amy the bookmark. The Bible verse on it was from the book of Romans.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28 (NASB)

Amy was overcome with emotion. Tears ran down her cheeks as she hugged Marcus. "You are so brave, Marcus. You are brave, smart, and so loved by God and by me, always."

Summer Camp was over, but Amy knew it was not the end. Amy decided to stay in Hope Bend. She no longer wanted the hustle and bustle of Atlanta city life. She wasn't expecting that when she first came to Hope Bend, but it was true. Marcus had inspired Amy to continue influencing the lives of children. She was ready to move forward with a new sense of purpose.

Amy applied for a job as a full-time substitute at the Hope Bend School System. She was hired for the position but was offered something else she wasn't expecting. The school superintendent had heard about Amy's work with the summer camp kids. He asked her to lead a new afterschool program for kids whose parents worked later hours. The after-school program would provide kids with opportunities to socialize after school. Older students could mentor younger students. Afterschool personnel would be available to help kids with their homework. Amy's experience at summer camp provided her with the skills needed to make the Hope Bend Afterschool Program not just a good one but a great one.

One afternoon, Amy was gathering materials for after-school program crafts when she received an unexpected phone call. It was Marcus's mother, Gwen. Gwen's voice was shaky. "Miss Baldwin, I wanted to reach out to you. Marcus hasn't stopped talking about you. He continues to become more self-confident. Yesterday, he asked if we could start going to church. I agreed to take him this coming Sunday. Anyway, thank you for being such a good influence in his life."

Amy wasn't expecting that, but she was overjoyed. "Gwen, I'm so happy to hear this! Marcus is a remarkable boy, and it was truly a privilege to work with him."

Gwen paused, but only for a moment. She glanced down at the bookmark in her hand. "Miss Baldwin, I want to ask you something. If it's OK with you, I would love for us to meet. I want to discuss what you did for Marcus and how I can better support him as a mom."

Amy was touched. She agreed to meet with Gwen. A week later, they sat together at a little coffee shop near Hope Bend Baptist Church. They bonded quickly as they shared experiences with Marcus. Gwen shared with Amy her struggles and challenges as a single mom. Then, she told Amy that she was determined to make her situation better.

Amy was touched that Gwen felt free to share her personal challenges. Amy saw a real compassion in Gwen. Gwen loved her son. She was trying so hard to make things work out so that she could better provide for Marcus and give him more opportunities in life. "Gwen, I can see that you are a good mother. I'm sure Marcus can see how hard you work for him."

Amy shared with Gwen several resources in their community that might help. Together, they came up with several ideas and a plan to make sure Marcus had the support he needed at home and at school. "Gwen, there's one more thing I want to ask you. You mentioned that you agreed to take Marcus to church. Have you decided where you want to go?

Gwen looked both confused and hopeful at the same time. "No, I haven't decided where to go. I want to go, but there are so many churches around here. Do you have a suggestion, Amy?"

Amy's heart lept. She had hoped to suggest her church. "As a matter of fact, I do." Amy smiled. "I would like to invite you to my church. I go to that one right over there." She pointed to the beautiful old country church. "I go to Hope Bend Baptist Church. I would love for you and Marcus to come with me on Sunday."

Gwen was relieved at the suggestion. "Yes, yes. I would love that! Marcus will be excited, too."

Amy and Gwen met regularly over the next several months and became great friends. Amy would go to Gwen's home to help Marcus with homework. Amy and Pastor Ed found a family in their church who had an apartment available over their garage. They had agreed to allow Gwen and Marcus to live there rent-free until Gwen could save a little money and get back on her feet. The families bonded, so Gwen and Marcus stayed in that apartment. Before long, Gwen was able to pay full rent. With the help she needed, Gwen had found a low-rent apartment to call home. The Smiths loved having Gwen and Marcus on their property. Soon enough, the Smiths, Gwen, Marcus, and Amy felt like family.

One Tuesday morning, Gwen called Amy. When Amy answered the phone, Gwen's voice was so excited that Amy could barely understand what Gwen was saying. "Amy! I got it! I got the job!"

Suddenly, Amy was just as excited as Gwen. Amy knew there was a job opening in the office at one of the schools where Amy worked. She suggested to Gwen that she should apply. "You'll be great there," Amy told Gwen. "Plus, we will see each other two days per week when I'm at that school."

Amy was so happy for her new friend. "Gwen! That's great! I'm so excited for you!"

Gwen continued. "And Amy, there are benefits. We'll finally have benefits, insurance, medical, dental, and vision. I can't believe how things have turned around for Marcus and me." Amy thought she heard Gwen sniff.

Amy's move to Hope Bend was supposed to be temporary, but there, Amy found a sense of purpose that she had lost after losing her parents. God had placed her in a position to mentor and support the families of the children she worked with. Amy knew she belonged in Hope Bend.

As seasons changed and weeks became months and months became years, Amy, Gwen, and Marcus remained the closest friends. Amy was grateful for the opportunity to watch Marcus grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. He truly was a remarkable boy. As Marcus grew older, he took on more active roles in helping Amy and his mother mentor and encourage families in the faith. God's hand was evident in the lives of the people Amy, Gwen, and Marcus touched.

Before moving to Hope Bend, Amy had agreed to take a temporary journey. At the time, she had no idea where it would lead. Now she knew that sometimes, God's sweetest plans for His children are hidden in the unexpected. For the rest of her life, whenever she heard someone say, "I wasn't expecting that," she would remind them that God did expect it and His timing and His plans are always perfect.