Low Country Calling
by John Dillard CPA
David, Low Country Calling’s main character, is introduced as a young man who is just out of school. Taking his southern heritage with him, David is soon off to Officer Cadet School where he meets Alice with whom he shares a mutual attraction and a magical walk along the beach. Their first meeting, a magical moment leads them to want to discover more of what God has in store for them.
As David and Alice get to know each other better they find they share a similar upbringing, and a vast amount of similarities. David and Alice share their first kiss and begin their courtship together. Soon David graduates at the top of his class from Officer Cadet School and then from Basic as a Second Lieutenant. Beginning to feel God’s tugging on his heart to grow deeper, David begins a Bible study to spread God’s love. Join David in the cockpit of an F-18 simulator as he amazes himself as well as his instructor.
David begins Aviator school where his reputation as a leader continues to grow and he meets Professor Kendrick who in full dress whites gives the cadets a speech to stir their heart to patriotism, honor and a drive to excel. Clearly moved, David redoubles his efforts to do his very best. David and Alice ‘s romance continues to bring them closer as they invite God to join them in all levels of their relationship, even when they hit a bump in the road.
David awakens early one Sunday and heads out to the highest knoll on campus where he prays and communes with God himself. Praying for God’s guidance and blessings for this relationship with Alice, God answers his prayer and calls and tugs on David’s heart to seek Him even more. Graduating at the top of his class, David receives the assignment he asks for and is to report to Pensacola, Florida for Flight School. David and Alice’s days together are spent helping David with his studies as they strive to plan their life together. David successfully completes Flight School in Pensacola and readies himself to fulfill his lifelong dream to be a Naval Aviator.
David begins his active duty on the aircraft carrier, The Roosevelt. Soon they are off in a task force of ships to help bring peace and democracy to the Middle East. Meeting his new RIO (Radio Intercept Office), Steve White who will assist him in flying the F-18 Super Hornet while on station in the Mediterranean Sea and over Iraq. First flying several routine missions, David and Steve soon find themselves embroiled in a deadly game of chase as a SAM (Surface to Air Missile) rockets towards them at Mach 3. Trying to evade the deadly missile, David attempts something never before done in combat in an effort to save Steve and his lives. Join them in the cockpit as white knuckling suspense heightens with every turn and thrust of the F-18 Super Hornet and the deadly SAM.
David continues his routine patrols over the Iraqi theater. On what starts out to be a routine flight they are startled by a warning light indicating a problem with their engines. Doing everything they can to rectify the problem, they shift to back up systems and procedures all of which fail. Soon the F-18 Super Hornet shudders its last as both of its engines stop. As the plane falls, David and Steve send a mayday and eject from the rapidly falling craft. Alone now and on the run in the desert floor of Iraq, David and Steve face their greatest challenge yet as they stare face to face with their own mortality and terrorists who are striving to capture them. Facing certain death if captured, they begin a trek through the desert floor towards their extraction point. With danger at every turn, they find themselves now being hunted in a life and death struggle for survival.
David and Steve begin their trek across the Iraqi desert towards their rendezvous point. Traveling at night to avoid detection, they find themselves hunted on unfamiliar terrain. Hopelessly out-armed, David and Steve try to stay one step ahead of the terrorists who would make them their captives. Facing certain death if caught, they fight for their very survival as their pursuers near. Back on board the aircraft carrier, Admiral Wyrick and Major Benjamin Taylor team up to gather Intel, which will guide them to developing a plan to bring David and Steve safely home. Admiral Wyrick vows to do everything he can and to provide all the needed resources to provide for their safe extraction.
Running and on the lam, David and Steve strive to stay one step ahead of the terrorist who are pursuing them. Facing capture and their imminent death, David and Steve are hunted by their enemy day and night. All alone on the run, David and Steve pull together in a life and death struggle to escape their would be captors. On board the aircraft carrier, all onboard feverishly plan for a safe extraction. Admiral Wyrick and Major Benjamin Taylor lead all on board in gathering Intel to ensure their rescue effort will successful.
Final plans and preparations are made for the extraction force as they begin on their rescue effort. Flying over the Mediterranean Sea they are soon feet dry and taking the necessary fuel required to complete their journey. David and Steve leave their relative safety of their hiding and head west towards the assigned extraction point. Once there, they immediately begin reconnaissance of the area finding a terrorist encampment. Retreating to the very center of the established perimeter, David and Steve huddle closely to the ground as the three SH-60B Seahawk helicopters fly overhead and then turn towards their unsuspecting prey. Amidst the reign of fear about him, David hears Gods call for him to go into full time ministry. Aware of his God given mission in life, David watches with a quiet confidence as AGM-114 Hellfire missiles destroy his pursuers. Soon he finds himself on board the lead Seahawk headed back to the aircraft carrier, The Roosevelt and the fulfill his God given destiny.
David now safely back on board The Roosevelt, finally is able to relax and rejuvenate. Rescued from certain capture from the desert floor of Iraq, David celebrates with Steve and those who rescued him. Offering thanks to God, David revels in his faith and with those who put themselves in harms way for his safe return. Admiral Wyrick throws a grand feast; beyond David’s expectation and thanks all those who risked it all to bring them home safely. Soon, granted a furlough, David returns back to Quantico, VA to spend time with Alice. Back to the site of his original trailing and where David and Alice’s romance first began to bud, David and Alice find the time and distance away has deepened their love and commitment. Going back further to their roots they return to Pastor Barnes’s church where David witness’s firsthand God’s provision in the growth of his church and shares God’s calling on his heart to full time pasturing back in his hometown of Charleston.
Coming back to the Low Country of Charleston, South Carolina, David comes home to find it even rosier than before. A newfound God ordained mission, David finds divine purpose in his life and a God-ordained path. Once back home, David proposes marriage to his one true soul mate that rejoices at his offer and readily accepts his hand in marriage. David and Alice announce their plans to his family who heartily welcome Alice into their family. His bride beside him, David begins to think about their life and their service to God together. Opting for a mid-day run, David parks and jogs over the Cooper River Bridge. Enjoying the ambiance of it all, David admires the architectural beauty of the bridge, the historic city of Charleston and all of its fine homes. Hearing God’s prompting, David jogs down an older section of the city as he soon finds his destiny. Coming alongside an old historic church, David hears God’s voice, “Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and we will no longer be in disgrace.” David comes face to face with an old church whose walls lay in ruins as God lay on his heart that it was here David was to start his church and to begin his full time ministry as pastor. Tears of joy roll down his face as David hears the Lion of Judah Low Country Calling to save the lost and to shepherd God’s flock. Committing his life to God’s service, David commits to living his life for Christ and to the pre-ordained path God chose. Just as two millennia ago when God led the Jews in the desert, He still speaks to all who will listen.
Author John Dillard was nominated for the 2009 Georgia Author of the Year Award after publishing Overcoming Life's 9/11's and nominated again for the 2010 Georgia Author of the Year Award after publishing Low Country Calling.