A love story
A movie reveals the greatest love story ever told. Online love story and movie. Bill Watson says it’s an amazing true story about love. God has someone special chosen for you to love too.
Watch this short movie.
A Love Story
Retold by Carolyn Tobias. Carolyn is the second daughter to Bill and Wilma Watson producers of this website. She lives in USA with her husband who is a professional drummer.
What should have felt like an elated homecoming was clouded with weariness as Bill, now 31 years, was bleary-eyed from his Ethiopian Air flight from Addis Ababa to Singapore. The five hour layover was tempered by the fact he now had one more “to-do” on his list – replacing the watch that had broken sometime during the previous leg of his journey. The air conditioning of the well manicured mall was preferred to the dense humidity of outside, so that at least would be one benefit of enduring the task of shopping. Bill couldn’t help but feel the target of “tourist” on his back as he debated the necessity of braving the multiple jewelry stores. Five hours to kill alone only added to the predominant thoughts of loneliness that consumed him over the recent months. Energized by his ministry to the Ethiopian people, these past five years, he now faced the stark, obvious void of companionship at the end of each long day.
Brought back into the now with the haggling of merchants, Bill realized he had been staring at a case of watches and offering little feedback to the clerk who was touting the features of each one. Strictly dictated by his budget Bill pointed to a watch.
Wilma was just weeks away from Bible School graduation. It was the last “to-do” on her list of accomplishments in preparation for nursing abroad. She had heard some missionaries speak in her small farming community near Heywood, Victoria at the age of twelve and had been so deeply moved she vowed to give her life to serve Jesus where ever he would take her. This memory was matched only with a vivid dream at age sixteen, when she awoke in the night and knew beyond a doubt God had spelled out his plan. She would do nursing and Bible training, get married and serve her Jesus among the people of Ethiopia. Passionate and determined, it was this goal that had driven Wilma through her teens and years of schooling.
The satisfaction of being so close to the end of her Bible School was exciting. The life of the party, Wilma had always been in the midst of the action. A busy social calendar was all part in parcel of making her journey of life “fun” and was no distraction to her focused goal…until now.
The buzz around campus was the big BBQ pool party slated for this weekend. Final papers were in, exams were done and everyone was in unwind mode. Before the dreaded packing and scattering across state lines, the campus social committee had organized the event of the year. Without question Wilma would be there. It was a party after all. Steve was athletic and handsome. He would be there too!
“You buy Sir?…good price, good price,” the ceaseless sales pitch brought Bill back to reality. Standing in front of a neatly kept jewelry stall, his eyes drifted from the watches to a nearby ring counter. The astute salesman noticed his distraction, and upped his sales pitch. “I give you good deal. You buy watch and get ring for your lady too?”
Coming out of the salesman’s mouth, the thought that brought a reassuring calm to his loneliness seemed all too real and quite absurd. But as Bill brought his attention back to the watches and picked up the obvious choice, based solely on functionality and budget, he turned the watch over and noticed the inscription on the back of the watch which read “Rebekah.” That calm he felt swelled to peace and Bill knew the familiar prompting of God speaking in his thoughts. “Buy the watch and an engagement ring. Just as I led Isaac to Rebekah in the Bible I will lead you to your bride.”
Decision made. Bill returned to the departure gate to await his boarding call, a new watch on his wrist and a modest white gold diamond ring in his coat pocket close to his heart.
Music, laughter, the sizzle of the BBQ and the occasional bomb dive in the pool followed by the squeal of the ladies sun bathing on the sidelines… the day had all the ingredients for a perfect graduation party. When Steve approached Wilma at the punch bowl and gently directed her to some deck chairs in the shade and on the outskirts of the commotion, Wilma didn’t think anything of it. She had enjoyed many conversations and mild flirtations with Steve over the past year.
“Wilma, are you going home tomorrow to celebrate the holidays with your family?” Steve asked.
“No, actually some of the girls and I are going to Port Campbell to spend a week at the beach. But after that I’ll be home,” Wilma casually answered.
It seemed odd to Wilma that Steve was distracted and somber as he spoke of plans of traveling home the next morning. “Something on your mind Steve?” Wilma probed.
“Actually yes,” Steve began. “I’ve been praying a lot about my future. The bottom line is I really like to spend it with you…”
The rest of the sentence trailed off as Wilma’s dance around the reality of marriage and her future abruptly ended in this head-on “reality check.” As Steve continued on what he thought was God’s plan for him and how that included Wilma, a flood of emotions bombarded her. For sure she heard about every third word until Steve came to the punch line. “I really believe you are the one for me. How would you feel about growing our relationship and moving to Adelaide to be my wife?”
Steve, now red-faced from lack of oxygen and talking so fast, finally breathed and took notice of a somewhat shocked Wilma looking back at him. After what seemed like endless minutes of silence, Steve took Wilma’s hand. “Wilma?” he said looking into her eyes.
It was now Wilma’s turn to remind herself to breathe. She looked into Steve’s serious face and knew this was not something she could brush off in laughter and gaiety. She felt flattered and romanced; this handsome man was inviting her to join him and all the perks of big-city life in Adelaide. Trying to get a grip on her emotions, Wilma prayed a quick SOS to God. Steve could have chosen any girl and he’d chosen her. Wilma returned Steve’s attentive look with a smile. “Steve, I don’t know what to say,” the moment the words left her mouth Wilma heard a whisper in her mind, “Ask if he’d be prepared to work and live in Ethiopia.” Again the prompting came, “Ask him about Ethiopia.” “Steve, you’re a great guy and any girl here would jump at such an offer. But I need to ask you something,” Wilma’s heart was beating so loud she could barely focus. Was she about to blow this proposal?
“Sure Wilma, you can ask me anything,” Steve answered.
“Do you see yourself living and helping the needy in Ethiopia?” Wilma asked.
Somewhat shocked at the relevance of the question, Steve remembered hearing Wilma talk of Ethiopia before but thought his proposal was a solution that could afford her the opportunity to send money to help those in need. “Well, no. I know how much Ethiopia means to you, but we could send money to help the needy.” His answer was honest and also clarifying.
“Sorry Steve, we can’t pursue a relationship, I know God has a purpose for me that includes nursing and helping people in Ethiopia.” It felt like a huge door slammed. Awkward silence followed and as Steve kissed Wilma’s cheek and left, Wilma made a beeline for another drink and a group of friends to distract her from the second guessing and questioning…what have I done?
Bill looked forward so much to being with friends and family. “Jan, that roast lamb was amazing, you’re not just beautiful but a good cook as well! Sure you didn’t mean to marry the best looking twin?” Bill’s praises to his sister-in-law were as genuine as his dig at his identical twin brother Alan. It was a breath of fresh air for Bill to be himself around family. Giving his brother a hard time was Bill’s way of letting Alan know he missed him. And being twins, the banter and bad jokes were of course reciprocated. After a perfect evening of home-cooked food, the prospect of turning in for the night on a comfortable bed – without a bed bug in sight – was very appealing.
“What time are you headed out in the morning?” Alan asked.
“Well, I plan to give Jan plenty of time to make my sausage and egg breakfast and then hit the road by 9 a.m.” Bill replied with a wink to Jan.
“I tell you what Bill,” Jan responded. “I’ll trade you a cooked breakfast for a favor. Since you’ll pass through Victor Harbour would you mind stopping by the Adelaide Bible College to say hi to a nursing friend of mine? She’s finishing up there this week.”
“For you Jan dear, anything…but with a guaranteed breakfast, absolutely!”
A friend of Bill’s was delayed at the London airport and with time on his hands, thought of Bill and thanked God for leading Bill to his wife that day!
Bill pulled into the campus of Adelaide Bible College and approached a young woman exiting the building. “G’day, I’m looking for Wilma Hopkins, could you…” The words barely left his mouth and the lady turned “Wilma? Oh sure.” Hollering through the door, “Wilma, there’s a cute guy here to see you.” Bill, now a bright shade of red, tried to remain calm as he could hear Wilma shush the heckling as she walked out the doors.
“Hi, I’m Wilma,” came the response from the vivacious woman with a big smile. As calmly as he could muster, Bill set to deliver on his promise.
“Hi, I’m Bill, I believe you know my sister-in-law Jan Watson. She asked me to send her greetings and congratulations on completing your schooling here.”
“WOW, how sweet of Jan. I miss her. We were nursing together before she got married. How is she?”
“She’s great, I was just with them a couple of days ago. Alan and Jan are looking to move to Mt Evelyn, here’s their information if you’d like to reconnect.”
“Thank you Bill for taking time to bring this by, I’m just getting packed up to leave but I’ll be sure to write to Jan as soon as I can.”
Wilma tried to down play the quick and courteous exchange with “the cute guy” to all her friends who teased her incessantly the rest of the day, for word within the college had quickly spread that Bill had been in Ethiopia and they were well aware of Wilma’s future goals.
Uncomfortable obligations over, Bill reviewed the remaining destinations on his list. During Bill’s time in Australia the head of the mission had organized speaking appointments. Bill had borrowed no dream machine and he’d have his younger brother Colin take a look at the car over the holidays before returning it. It was getting late in the day and Bill had not eaten since breakfast. The internal debate on whether to stop for a bite to eat or refuel the car was reaching a climax. Rural Victoria had few options for either dining or service stations, so he would look for the next opportunity.
Feeling refreshed after a quick bite, Bill couldn’t help but admire the flock of galahs against the cloudless blue sky as he drove. “God, I’m amazed at how beautiful you created this landscape and I’m trusting you for every day.” Bill spoke in prayer like God was riding in the passenger seat.
The car gave a sputter as it crossed a pair of railroad tracks, rounded a bend and came to a stop. A pine tree wind break led to an orchard heavy with fruit and a clearing with a quaint white farm house. Bill walked up the front steps and was welcomed by the smell of homemade bread and jam.
The farm belonged to Donald and Dorothy Hopkins. The couples had a sincere love for Jesus and were thrilled to hear every detail of Bill’s mission work in Ethiopia. They looked forward for Bill to meet their friends and share with them also. Mrs. Hopkins had seven of her brood of nine married or away at school and just couldn’t see this undernourished bachelor leave her home without some good rest. Mr. Hopkins felt perhaps taking care of the lad was his contribution to missionary service, since God had called him to missions in his youth and had chosen the path of farming instead. Whatever the motivation, Bill could hardly refuse the insistent invitation to return to the farm in Drumborg and celebrate the holidays with the Hopkins family after his final speaking arrangement was fulfilled in Geelong.
“Will you be taking the Great Ocean Road?” Mrs. Hopkins asked.
“Yes, most likely,” Bill replied.
“Would you mind on your way back picking up our daughter? She’s holidaying with some friends in Port Campbell and you’d be saving us a trip.” Mrs. Hopkins thought out loud.
“I’d be happy too, Bill responded “It’s the least I can do.”
Details exchanged, refueled and with a basket full of food for the road, Bill was ready to leave and eager to get his last meeting done so he could return to this warm home. Rest sounded so good. As he pulled away and the farmstead became the postcard in his review mirror, Bill smiled at the tenderness of God to take care of his every need.
The turnout at Geelong had been very encouraging. Bill had even received some pledged support for Ethiopia. Relief washed over him as he drove back along the Great Ocean Road, again marveling at the majesty of the ocean cliffs and blue on blue horizon. The Port Campbell beach house was easy to find and Bill walked up to the open screen door to pick up the Hopkins’ daughter as promised. “Hello?” Bill called. The ability to recollect names was a gift Bill was grateful for, for a name was about all the speech he could muster in the shock of who came to the door. “Wilma Hopkins?”
“Hi,” Wilma responded, both pleasantly surprised and enjoying the coincidence.
“It’s me, Bill – we met at Victor Harbour?”
“Yes, of course. What are you doing here?”
“Your parents asked me to pick you up.”
“You’re my ride home?” The fun reunion of sorts was a catalyst for the re-telling of events of the past several weeks, the sharing of prayers prayed and the revelation of God’s sovereign hand in shaping two lives.
Just one hour into their two and a half-hour drive Bill announced, “I’m going back to Ethiopia in six months time, will you join me?” Both had a confirming peace that only God could have orchestrated their coming together. When Wilma said, “Yes”, Bill excitedly announced that he already had the engagement ring!
The movie tells of the greatest love story ever told. This has been an online love story and movie. Bill Watson says it’s an amazing true story about love. God has someone special chosen for you to love too!