This is a prequel to some romance stories that I plan to write in the next few months (Lord willing!) and the sequel to "The Second Chance". This particular story is about the spiritual decisions of the members of the team. It is clear from the show that some of the members are Christians, but their faith does not get examined too deeply. I want to delve into that side of the story. Here it is! Please read, review, and (as always) enjoy! God bless!

"So, Sue, will you be there?" asked Angela Hartman, the pastor's energetic, red-headed wife. Sue was confused. She could not recall what Angela had asked her. The busy grocery store was not the best place for focussing, especially with busy shoppers coming between the two women. The motion had distracted her and their conversation had been difficult for Sue, to say the least.

"Sorry," Angela said before switching to signing. Several months before Angela had expressed to Sue her desire to learn sign language. Angela had told Sue that it did not seem right that she and her husband, Pastor Benjamin, had not yet learned how to communicate with the growing number of deaf members of their church. Angela's dream was to become an interpreter at the church. She was doing pretty well for a beginner, but Sue knew that it would be a while until Angela was fluent in sign. For now, Sue tried to focus on what Angela was signing. With lot's of finger spelling and wrong signs, Angela managed to tell Sue that special people were going to be at church on Wednesday night.

"Who?" Sue signed and asked.

"M-I-S-S-I-O-N-A-R-I-E-S," Angela spelled. She spoke while Sue read her lips, "Sorry. I'm finding it hard to sign. I still need more practice. We're having some missionaries in on Wednesday, and I think that you'll love them."

"Why?" Sue signed and asked.

"They are..." Just then Angela's head turned and Sue missed what she was saying. Angela's two children ran up to her then, excited about something that Sue could not understand.

"Oh, Sue, I need to go," Angela exclaimed after listening to her kids. "I forgot about their swimming lessons and we need to rush. Will I see you on Wednesday?"

"We'll see," Sue said in a noncommittal way. It had been a few weeks until she was at church for an evening service. She was always so busy or tired at the end of the day that she did not really make church a priority. It made her feel a bit guilty whenever she thought of it-thus she tried to ignore the thought most of the time. After all, she was a regular on Sunday mornings. No one could have a legitimate complaint when her daily life was so busy.

Yet, perhaps she would feel better if she went out to a meeting one of these evenings. Despite not being able to understand why Angela was so insistent in her invitation, perhaps that coming Wednesday night would be a good day to go.

...

"Lucy, I think that I'll go to church tonight. Want to come with me?" Sue asked her roommate. Lucy was busy flipping through a fashion magazine, but she looked up at Sue's invitation.

"You're going to church? You haven't gone to any evening services lately," Lucy commented, setting aside the magazine with a lazy stretch and yawn.

Sue nodded, a bit guilty. "I haven't, but I'm going tonight. Want to go? I think that there are some missionaries tonight."

"Oh, I would," Lucy said apologetically, "but I've actually got plans tonight."

"Oh?" Sue asked, noting Lucy's sparkling eyes and mysterious smile.

"I've got a date," Lucy announced proudly.

After the necessary girly talk, Lucy finally took her leave to go get ready for her date and Sue, after checking that her outfit was not covered in Levi's hair, left for church.

...

Sue was a bit late for church. She arrived just as the last song was ending. Although she could not hear it, she could feel the vibrations from the organ. As Sue slipped in at the back of the church she saw a couple at the front of the church.

Must be the missionaries, she thought. She sat down and motioned for Levi to do so as well. Levi grunted and laid down, closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep.

Like some of the older men here do on a regular basis, Sue smiled at the rogue thought before turning back to the front. Sure enough, the couple was walking up onto the platform. Sue looked around the platform for the translator who was usually up there, but Laura was no where in sight.

She must be sick or away, Sue decided, but then noticed that Laura Greenfell was sitting at the other side of the church. Laura even turned, recognized Sue, and waved a tiny wave before turning back to the missionaries.

Why isn't there an interpreter? Sue wondered. Although she could read lips, there were several other deaf people in the congregation. It was abnormal for there to be no interpreter.

I hope that the speakers know to speak clearly so that I can read their lips, Sue thought to herself as she turned her full attention to the missionaries.

It was then that she understood why there was no interpreter. She could also understand why Angela was so sure that she would enjoy these missionary speakers.

They were signing.

The Austins were a couple around her age. Christopher was a pastor at a small church in New Zealand that they had planted several years ago. Belle, his wife, was an interpreter for their church and a teacher at their church's small private school. Christopher was partially deaf in one ear, having been born with hearing impairment. After suffering a severe case of meningitis at age ten, Belle was profoundly deaf . When they spoke, sharing their testimonies and a mission update with the church, they spoke clearly and signed simultaneously. Christopher explained that he used a hearing aid to counteract his hearing impairment, and Belle shared that she had learned to read lips.

Sue was touched by their ministries and impressed by their superb communication skills. The Austins were genuine yet humorous in their presentation. Sue immediately felt drawn toward them. She was glad that she had come. And she could not wait to meet the Austins personally.

...

"So you enjoy teaching?" Sue spoke and signed to Belle Austin. They had been signing and talking for twenty minutes. The Austins and Sue had had an instant connection and been enjoying each others company through the evening.

"YES", Belle signed with a smile. "I LOVE IT. DO YOU TEACH?"

"NO," Sue signed. "I WORK FOR THE FBI."

"AMAZING," Belle signed. "CHRIS AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT SOMETIME, WOULDN'T WE?" Belle turned to Christopher and he nodded.

"AND ME ABOUT YOUR MISSION WORK AND LIVES IN NEW ZEALAND," Sue replied. Then she had a brilliant idea. Lucy and Tara would love to meet Belle and practice signing with her. I think that the team would also love to meet them. D has talked about missionaries before, and Bobby might like visiting people who live in the general area of his previous home. Who knows? Jack might enjoy visiting with Chris, and-who knows?-maybe Myles too. "HOW LONG ARE YOU IN D.C.?"

"We're taking our time to visit several churches and historical monuments in the area. We plan to be here for a week or so."

"WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME FOR DINNER? I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO MEET SOME OF MY FRIENDS." Sue signed and spoke the invitation.

"WHEN?" Belle laughed.

"Sorry," Sue said, then thought. "How about Saturday night? As long as we don't get called in on a major case, you can come for supper and meet some of my team mates. You can hear about our work, and you can tell us lots about yours."

Belle and Christopher signed rapidly. Belle pulled out her phone and checked their schedule. She finally nodded to Sue. "WE WOULD LOVE TO COME."