NO ENGAGEMENT RING

Chapter 17

Grace Christian Church was so much smaller than Gateway to Eternal Life. It couldn't

house more than six hundred people, she figured, similar in size to her father's church. It was

also an old fashioned building. And the people were friendly and welcoming.

Four other couples were attending the course with them. They would all be sitting in a

semi-circle. Already Hannah was feeling shy and nervous. With ten minutes to go before the

start, Hannah and Jonathan had a chance to meet the facilitators – a husband and wife team;

older than them by far and wise looking. Thankfully, Jonathan did all the talking.

"What church are you members of?" Brian Galloway asked.

"Gateway to Eternal Life," Jonathan said casually without emotion.

"Oh, I've heard that it's a fantastic church. Also heard they have a very good pastor,"

Gloria said excitedly.

"You heard correctly. We have an amazing pastor, who honours God in everything and

cares about people," Hannah answered truthfully and proudly before Jonathan could say

anything. "You should come visit sometime," she invited.

He turned warm, surprised eyes on her. He wasn't aware that she thought so highly of

him. It made him feel special.

"We should!" Brian said readily. "Don't they run a course in your church for couples

getting married? I remember pastor Matthew mentioning it." Brian was puzzled. "In fact our

course is based on the one your church runs. We just tweaked ours a bit to do the basics."

Not knowing what to say, Hannah kept quiet and was thankful for Jonathan's quick wit.

"We missed that one and the next one is too far off. We're getting married the first Saturday in

December," he announced, putting his arm around Hannah's shoulder.

Unused to public display of affection, Hannah blushed but remained where she was.

"That soon!" Gloria exclaimed. "But I can see that you two are ready for marriage. And

you are going to have a blessed marriage."

They didn't have time to thank the elderly couple as the other couples arrived but Hannah

kept that in her heart and would ponder it in days to come.

One of the couples were older than the rest and they learnt later on that for both of them it

was their second marriage. This couple was also from another church. The rest were members

of the hosting church.

"Okay, let's open in prayer," the female facilitator announced at promptly seven. So the

course began.

Unsure what to expect, Hannah squirmed when they were required to introduce

themselves to the group with their name and occupation before the session actually began.

When it came to their turn, Hannah raced through her introduction all the while

wondering how Jonathan was going to reveal his occupation without giving away his