Into the Fire
Melina Richardson found herself on surer footing this time around. After her disastrous engagement and foolish initiation into a cult, she got group counseling with the other members brainwashed into the Cult of David. The root of her and all their sorrows was that she was trying to find fulfillment in material items when she really needed was nourishment for the soul. Brother David was offering only a quick fix. Love for the price of all their money and worldly possessions. She knew of a creator who would offer her joy and forgiveness for no price at all.
The woman found a decent job, not a money maker, but enough to keep her comfortable to have a little extra money set aside. She spent time with her co-workers and found a close knit group of friends from a singles group she frequented. She had some offers for dates but politely turned them down.
"I need to be on my own for a while, to get to know the real me."
Melina didn't need a relationship or money. Something was still missing in her life.
A small advertisement caught her eye at the social center where she and the other members of the cult met for group therapy.
Sponsor a child for only $10 a week.
That wasn't much at all. She could cut back on a single take-out meal and have the additional money easily. The advertisers did their job well, putting the most angelic of faces on their flyers.
She doesn't hesitate and filled out her payment information with a light heart. The sound of the envelope with her first week's payment sliding through the mail slot sounded like a dove's wing flap.
A month later and a larger envelope came back in return for her.
Chris; the little boy's name was Chris.
He was from Africa. The boy had a lovely smile and he was enrolled in the gifted program in his village's tiny schoolhouse.
The woman had the money wired out of bank account every month, not even thinking of the cost, but the spiritual rewards far outweighed the monetary cost. She received his academic marks, high honors in all of his classes, a bright photo of his first place science project, and her most prized possession, a grateful letter of thanks from his older sister. Included in that packet was a hand colored drawing of her name decorated in colorful inks and swirls.
Over the years she received other gifts - a thank you letter from Chris himself, updates on his progress, until midway through his secondary schooling, the letters petered out. By that time Melina was busy volunteering with her church and working part time counseling escapees from other abusive cults or relationships. The victims seemed to open up to her more knowing she had been through their same ordeal.
Thirty years passed and she's still going strong, until a surprising phone call interrupted her day.
"Ms. Richardson?"
The phone call was crackly and unclear as if on a poor connection.
"I'm the United States Ambassador stationed in Nairobi. We have a Human Rights Advisor who works at the United Nations wishing to contact you."
She almost drops the phone. "Yes!" she exclaimed, "What can I do to help him?" She's so flabbergasted she could barely get the words out.
"You misunderstand, Ms. Richardson, he said that you've helped him enough. Thanks to your donation, Chris and other successful Kenyan professionals created the Melina Richardson Education Fund. In the last 5 years they sponsored over 200 scholarships out of their own personal salaries and from donations to the foundation they created in your honor."
Now she truly is shocked. She is being flown out to Kenya to meet her sponsee. Brother David had been wrong. Her small act of kindness has made a world of difference.
Based on the real life story of Hilde Black. This was a weird episode. I liked Cynthia Nixon, and good job with Montel Williams' acting. I'm used to seeing him as a talk show host. Apparently Brie Larson is in this episode too, which I missed.