21 Comments
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Tracey Henley's avatar

“the surest demonstration of one’s genuine salvation from hell was evangelism, because no one would be that annoying if they didn’t really and truly believe.” ❤️Thank you, Holly.

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Tracey Henley's avatar

I hope you kept writing to Mrs S, to reassure her you hadn’t been butchered in your bed!

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Holly Berkley Fletcher's avatar

I did not! Read the end again:)

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DeeceX's avatar

Poor Mrs. Stanley! Gripped with terror by your 6-year-old eloquence, awaiting the outcome of the invasion of your home!

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Tracey Henley's avatar

What a cliff-hanger!

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DeeceX's avatar

… the surest demonstration of one’s genuine salvation from hell was evangelism, because no one would be that annoying if they didn’t really and truly believe."

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Lori Z.'s avatar

Holly, sincere thanks for the much needed grins and giggles over this one. Best storyteller ever, you are!

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Bonnie Sommer's avatar

I always look forward to reading you - you manage to put a humorous spin on what must have been a pretty sad childhood. I’m so sorry about your childhood, but I thank you for the laughs.

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Holly Berkley Fletcher's avatar

It was mostly really fun actually. Good and bad.

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Amanda Cech's avatar

So good.

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Tai's avatar

Thanks Holly for a good laugh on your dad mixing chemical to blind the thieves. I was going another stage of grief after reading Bill Kristol this morning.

Perhaps Mrs. Stanley wasn’t that bad a person after all, although she sounded like one of those primary school teachers that were both hated and feared.

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Holly Berkley Fletcher's avatar

I thought that was probably the least weird thing in teh story lol Did other people's dads not make chemical home defense weapons?

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Tai's avatar

My older sisters just told me over the weekend that my dad hid a kitchen knife under his chair when a couple high schoolers came to our apartment for math tutoring.

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Steve the Great's avatar

Wow. Just when I thought my Christian upbringing was the worst in recorded history.

With experiences like this, your resilience and your grounded take on spiritual matters is impressive.

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Holly Berkley Fletcher's avatar

I am terribly sorry but you will never be competitive with missionary kids in terms of batshit Christian upbringings. It’s not a fair fight.

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Steve the Great's avatar

Haha. But...but..but...my Mom was an MK born overseas and intended to go back until we showed up. So she instead raised us in a monastery to become missionaries and save souls throughout the universe... And my uncles aunts and cousins were all missionaries...around 13 of 'em...and my father was a rage-aholic minister whose explosions had us walking on eggshells...and I was named after the first Christian martyr...

But yes, my cousins have had a very hard time of it.

Have you read "Let's Not Go to the Dogs Tonight" Great book about growing up in Africa.

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Holly Berkley Fletcher's avatar

On the other hand. A crazy childhood makes for amazing stories. At the end of the day, now that i’m a healthy happy adult, Wouldn’t trade it.

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Holly Berkley Fletcher's avatar

Nice try. Yes great book!

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Lisa K. Obrien's avatar

I literally laughed out loud (not lol) when I read that we domestic Southern Baptist raised kids will never be competitive with the craziness imposed on missionary kids. After reading your story, I am a believer! That said, the stories and warnings foisted on little kids anywhere are cruel and harmful. I’m happy that you’ve seemingly shed the poison coil imposed on you.

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Linda S Clare's avatar

Steve, Holly's missionary childhood rivals anything in the Poisonwood Bible. Unfortunately, Jesus doesn't always shave. If you want a horror story read my latest post about going to major surgery in a 1960s Crippled Children's Hospital at The Deep End. Happy Lent, A Fellow Sufferer for Christ.

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Holly Berkley Fletcher's avatar

Not quite that crazy!

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