I went home that day and the first thing I saw was my mom.

"After dinner." She just said. She went to the kitchen to cook our dinner while I go to my room to change.

I did not get out of my room until I was called to eat. I didn't have the appetite but I know that if I don't eat, my parents would get mad. I have no choice but to go downstairs and eat dinner.

I couldn't pray in front of them so I just prayed in my mind.

We were all silent while we were eating our food. Even Matt could feel the intense atmosphere surrounding the dining table. I glance at mom and she's still angry but trying to act casual.

At last, dinner was done.

"So, where did we stop?" She asked with a serious expression.

"We ended the conversation earlier." I answered.

"No, it wasn't done because you ran off."

"It's because I don't want to talk about it further."

"You are Catholic. Not born again. When will you understand that?"

"And when will you understand that religion isn't everything?"

If looks could kill, my mom would have stabbed me thrice with her icy glare. "Your Facebook posts are seen by our relatives and they are wondering if we've converted. Are you not ashamed of that?"

"Why would I? Why would they assume that we've converted because of my posts? Was it wrong? Is it forbidden in our religion?" My voice got higher and my fists were clenched under the table.

I just couldn't take this. Why in the world would it be a big deal in our family if I became a Christian? What they fail to understand is that I'm not promoting religion. I will never promote religion.

Dad butts in. "Your mom is right. You should stick to your roots. If you convert, we'll be out on Sundays and you'll be at another church. We can't be together if you convert!"

"What? I never said I'm converting! Seriously, what is it with you and religion? This conversation is running around in circles pointing to no particular destination!"

"But—"

"And why would you let religion affect our relationship as a family? If I convert, will I be forbidden to enter in the church we go to? No, right? We worship the same God! I'm a born again Christian in a spiritual sense not in a religious sense!"

And with that, I stand and excuse myself. Before they answer I run up to my room as I feel tears escape my eyes. Before slamming the door, I hear my mom shout. "If we catch you with your born again antics, we're kicking you out of the house!"

And with that, I slam the door, shut the lights and dive onto my bed. I hug my pillow tight as I let go of many ounces of tears. My eyes already hurt from earlier but I can't help but cry again because it's too painful.

They keep knocking at my door but I refuse to open. I just let the tears flow until I've fallen asleep.

======================================

It's been a month since that persecution happened and I feel so empty. I can't go to service because my parents wouldn't allow me to and I kind of miss the church and my family over there. Not to mention the worship team. I signed up for the worship team the Sunday before I was persecuted with Denver. We both got in.

It's a Saturday by the way, and I'm off to the city plaza to meet with my classmates. We planned on practicing for a presentation for our English class.

Upon arriving, I see no sign of my classmates anywhere so I just sat by the stage at the center of the plaza so they can easily spot me when I arrive.

I'm just scrolling through my Facebook feed when suddenly, I feel as though God is whispering something to me.

Evangelize.

That's when my heart started beating faster. I'm nervous. He wanted me to evangelize on the spot which by the way, I just learned how from Colin. I whispered back, "Yeah, okay. Sorry for being choosy but can we start with the basics? Like children, for example. And if I'm really not just imagining this, can you please be the one to send them over to me? Tell you what, if a kid talks to me, I'll evangelize him/her. I'm just asking this as a sign that you really want me to evangelize."

And with that, I waited.

And waited.

Just when I thought there wasn't any hope for a single child to appear, a group of children showed up from the opposite side of the stage. They were chasing each other and were laughing. They were little girls. The sight of them playing made my heart warm up for even though they were beggars, they could spot happiness in the littlest of things.

One of the kids noticed that I was staring and I avoided eye contact immediately.

I was startled when one of them sat beside me. "Hey! What are you doing here all alone?" she asked.

Wow, okay so this is real. The sign was shown to me. So does that mean I have to evangelize them? Yes, yes it does. I'm super shy and I don't have the courage to do so.

"Uhm. Just waiting for my classmates to show up. Anyway, what are your names?" I asked.

"I'm Jane!" shouted the kid who sat beside me. She was wearing a dirty red dress and she was the littlest of the three. She had brown skin that matched her hazel highlighted hair.

"I'm Anna." Said the one who was the tallest. She wore a beautiful blue dress that has this cute flower below her left strap. She had short hair and had a fair complexion.

"I'm Lea." Said the one who had startled me awhile ago. She wore a light blue tank top that made it look like a dress because it was too big for her. She had two big teeth on the front side of her mouth.

"I'm Gray!" I introduced. They each gave me smiles and ran off.

What? Oh no. I'm supposed to evangelize them! After mustering every ounce of courage I have, I brought out my Bible, which is a white covered NKJV, and hurried to the direction where they ran off to.

After some minutes of searching, I grew tired. Suddenly, I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, it's Gray!"

I looked behind me and there they were sitting on the park bench beside the senior citizen center eating the food they have bought using the money from the generous donations of the people they have come across.

This is it. Time to evangelize.

=========================================

Hey! At last, I've updated a chapter! Whew. Hahaha. Again, I apologize for the delay of chapters. Rest assured, you will be reading more chapters this summer. 

Thank you for your words of encouragement and recommendations on the book! You don't know how blessed I am to have you as my readers.

Thank you for being patient and understanding <3

God bless you :)