Chapter 9: A Test of Faith - Whispers in the Dream

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News of Janice's remarkable knowledge of scripture spread like wildfire through the church community. Impressed by her sharp mind and articulate arguments, the pastor bestowed upon her a weighty honor – to represent the church in a debate with a renowned Muslim scholar, Rosmah.

Janice, caught off guard by this unexpected responsibility, felt a surge of apprehension. Deep down, she grappled with her own doubts about Christianity. Yet, the thought of disappointing Lily and the pastor, and the chance to showcase her knowledge, spurred her on.

The day of the debate arrived. The church hall buzzed with anticipation. Janice, dressed in a crisp white dress, stood across from Rosmah, a woman radiating quiet confidence. The debate flowed, a captivating exchange of ideas and interpretations of faith.

Janice, drawing on her knowledge and fueled by a competitive spirit, delivered a compelling argument. However, as the debate progressed, a nagging sense of unease gnawed at her. Was she truly convincing Rosmah, or simply winning an intellectual battle?

To everyone's surprise, Rosmah conceded certain points, expressing a newfound interest in exploring the Christian perspective. The debate concluded with a planned baptism ceremony for Rosmah, a symbolic gesture of her newfound faith.

Lily beamed with pride, her eyes filled with tears of joy. Janice, however, felt a cold knot tighten in her stomach as she stood before Rosmah, holding the baptismal water.

That night, a familiar dream unfolded. The old man with the gentle eyes stood before her, his voice tinged with disappointment. "Why, child?" he asked, his words echoing in the vast emptiness. "Why convert others when your own heart remains unconvinced?"

Janice woke with a gasp, the dream clinging to her like a shroud. The weight of the baptism ceremony, the unease she'd ignored, all came rushing back. Could she continue on this path of forced faith, or would she dare to listen to the whispers of doubt within her heart?

From that day on, Janice politely declined any further requests to convert others. She continued to attend church services, but her participation felt increasingly hollow. The unanswered questions about the Diamond, the nagging feeling of being a pawn in a larger game, demanded her attention.

The path ahead wasn't clear, but one thing was certain – Janice wouldn't allow anyone to dictate her beliefs. She would find her own truth, even if it meant venturing into the unknown.

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