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May. 27, 2008
Escape From Africa
| "I don't want to leave home, daddy" said four year-old Kaguna as she and her family sat in the darkness of the little hut, where she had lived nearly all her life. Her daddy, big Charlie Mallard, hushed her gently and looked around at his family. Only this afternoon, their lives had been changed forever. Sixteen year-old Peter Mallard sat nervously next to his thirteen year-old sister Rebekah and remembered the events of the day. His daddy had been in the rice fields, and his mother, Mary, was preparing the mid-day meal with Rebekah's aid, and he was hoeing in the family's vegetable garden, when his friend Cosmos ran up. He stopped only to say "Peter, the dictator has declared that all Christians in the country are to be killed. His soldiers are on the way, and when we received the news, they were already to Sukari, and traveling fast." "When did you receive the news, Cosmos?" asked Peter. "Two hours ago." replied Cosmos. "And Peter, friend, tell the saints that live to the east of the river, will you? I must go." With that, he ran away to save more lives with his news. Peter threw his hoe to the ground. He knew from what Cosmos had said, that the soldiers would arrive at about dawn the next day. He ran towards the house and told his mother, who sent Rebekah to tell his daddy while he ran to tell others the news. It had been expected, but it was still somewhat of a shock when it came. Peter was cautious and watched carefully, for if he happened to run into a man who was not one of the Christians, if he had heard of the edict, he would probably kill Peter to gain the good graces of the government, for Peter was well known in the area as the son of the local missionaries. When Peter returned home that evening, he could see the smoke from the fires the soldiers had lit to cook their dinner. As he stepped in, he heard the relief in his mother's voice as she told him to sit down to supper. His daddy asked if he had fulfilled his mission, and Peter told him he had. They ate in a hurry, and as Rebekah removed the bowls from the table, his daddy said " Now, listen. I have talked with Cosmos' father, and after dark his family will join us as we escape from here. I fear it would be difficult to leave any earlier, for the people near will be on the lookout for any Christians by now. We will head south, towards the border, and cross the Tilia river tomorrow morning. I will need you all to be very brave. But always remember that God will never forsake you. It says in James 1:2 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."(NIV) Therefore children, consider this training to develop perseverance in the midst of trial." They then blew out the lamp and waited for Brother Kenya and his family to arrive, as their mother had already prepared a blanket and provisions for each family member. They had been waiting for hours now, and in the darkness Peter's mother whispered "Charlie, they should have been here by now. We need to leave soon." "I know, dear. Pray. Pray that they will get here soon." replied Peter's father. Peter was already praying. Praying that his friends and neighbors would survive. Praying that his family would escape. Suddenly, he felt Rebekah stiffen and squeeze closer to him. Then he heard it too. Through the night air, he heard the tramp of boots coming steadily nearer. |
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May. 29, 2008 - ahhhhhhh......
what a nice story, (so far) whats NIV? oh, and
do you want me to add you to my freinds list?