writer note: I know it's been waaaaay long since I wrote anything. Like I said, I had to revamp it a bit since I wasn't satisfied by the other chapters. Hmm...I hope the service is smooth enough. I'm not sure. I just wrote whatever came out relating to the characters' experiences. Thank you for reading!!!

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Part 4: "For I am not ashamed…"

"For the world to know the truth
There can be no greater proof
Than to live the life, live the life
There's no love as quit as pure
There's no pain we can't endure
If we live the life, live the life
Be a light for all to see
For every act of love will set you free"
- "Live the Life" by Michael W. Smith


Daniel stood outside Kloppman's door trying to gain enough courage to go in. With one last pray, he calmly strolled into the bedroom that housed the old man. Kloppman was fiddling around with a torn shirt.
"Mr. Kloppman?" Daniel said softly, standing against the frame of the door.
The old man peered up from his mending and smiled slightly. "Yes, Daniel?" he asked, going back to his mending.
Daniel sighed in relief. Kloppman seemed not as hostile as he was with their first meeting the day before. He glanced around the small room. There was only an old metal framed bed and a wooden dresser next to it. It wasn't much to look at. But there was one last thing in the room. In the corner was a trunk. It was open with a quilt hanging on the hood. Inside was an unlit candle, framed picture, and small black Bible with words he could not read engraved in gold. Daniel squinted to see if he was just seeing things. The picture was of a young couple.
All Daniel could do was stare at this shrine-like area. Kloppman realized the young man wasn't saying anything. He glanced up to see him staring at the trunk…mainly the picture. "I bet your wondering who that is - Carolyn, my wife."
"Where is she?" Daniel asked, snapping out of his trance.
"She dead."
The younger of the two stiffened. "I'm sorry.
"Don't be. It happened a long time ago." Kloppman set the shirt down on his bed. "Now what do you need?"
Daniel swallowed roughly. "Well, me and a couple of the other boys want to hold Sunday service. I was wondering if it'd be all right to have it here…either in the bunkroom or the roof…where ever it doesn't disturb you."
"Why can't you boys go to a service at a church?"
"We really just want it to be the few of us, so, maybe the other boys might want to join us."
Kloppman glared into the pleading boy's eyes, suspiciously. The boy must of had a lot of courage to come ask him after how he treated him. The old man felt a wave of guilt. Carolyn would of never done that. He thought of her quite often. Even years after her death, she was still in his mind, thoughts, and feelings. He heaved. "All right." A smile creep on Daniel's face. "But if I hear you singin', you'll have to find a new place for worship."
"Thank you, sir!" Daniel walked out the small room, and up to the bunkroom where Bumlets was waiting. "He said yes."
"Really?" Bumlets asked, in shock.
"Yeah, I was surprised. This is great. Perfect timing since tomorrow is Sunday and we can hold service."
"Let's go tell Snoddy, Kloppman said it's all right. I bet he's at Tibby's about now. C'mon!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The newsboys, as of everyday, cruised through their morning routine of getting up to sell the papes save for three. Daniel, Bumlets, and Snoddy stayed in bed until the whole house had left. They dressed, and met on the roof. Daniel was the first there, sitting on a crate and reading over the verse he felt the Lord telling him to read today.
"Good morning" Daniel greeted, looking up. "I found these crates in the corner, and thought they'd be better than sitting on the floor."
"Thanks" echoed back as the two boys sat.
"Where do we start?" Snoddy asked.
"I was thinking about all of us saying which verse that we hold dear to us and why" Daniel replied.
There was silence for a moment then, "I'll start" Bumlets said, raising his hand. " 'For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.' Ephesians 2:10." His eyes stowed downward. "I know God created me, and has a great work for me when the time comes. I don't know what that is yet, but I'll never stray from that promise He's given me."
"I know that" Snoddy said, nodding. "My verse is kind of odd. It's not one that many people know, but my Grandpa enforced it on me and I'm thankful for that. 'For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.' 2 Corinthians 7:10. It helps me get through this life better, and not be sad that I'm in this situation. If you had Christ living in you, you wouldn't be drug down by the world's sadness. That's all I have to say."
" 'The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trust in Him and I am helped.' Psalm 28:7." Daniel recited before closing his Bible. "He will protect us on these streets and in this city where we know danger is everywhere. I first came across this verse before I set off for here. I didn't take it in to heart until yesterday's incident with the bulls. Now, it will stay at the surface of my mind forever."
"Can I join in?" a voice said from the fire escape. The boys turned to see Boots climbing up.
"Sure you can, Boots" Snoddy replied, going to help him the rest of the way.
Bumlets made room for Boots on his crate, and he sat. "We're saying what verse we have taken to heart."
"I know one right off the top of my head, if you want me to share it."
Daniel nodded. "Go ahead."
Boots paused, lowering his head, but raised it again. " 'For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ...' I know there's more, but I can't remember it or where it is. I know all too well that I haven't lived up to it. I want to, but my nervousness gets in the way and I'm afraid the others will hate me."
"It's all right, Boots" Bumlets started, throwing an arm around his shoulder. "We all go through it. It's hard living out here where the name God is usually a joke to everyone. We weren't made to hide from those people even though they can hurt us."
"Yeah, you have something they don't...the promise from God that He will be with you no matter what happens" Daniel added. "Just look at Apostle Paul in jail. He never lost his hope that God would take care of him."
"I know" Boots murmured. "I want to stop my fear, but it's hard"
"We'll help you" Snoddy offered. "And, you know He will too."
Boots smiled slightly. "Thanks."
"You guys know any hymns?" Daniel asked.
"I don't know too many" Snoddy said.
"I'll teach you some then. One of my favorite is 'Come Ye Sinner'."
"I've heard of that one before" Bumlets replied.
"How about we learn it now?" They nodded in agreement, and Daniel began to sing with the others joining in, "Come ye sinners, poor and needy, weak and wounded, sick and sore. Jesus ready stands to save you; full of pity power and love. I will arise and go to Jesus. He will embrace me in His arms. In the arms of my dear Savior, O there are ten thousand charms..."