Finding Promises: Book Six in the Promises Series

By Susan A. Perkins

Book of the Promises Series

Once again, Susan Perkins has invited us into her time machine and transported us back to the first century, so we can experience the life, and faith, of the first generation of Christians. This book will not only educate you about how people lived in the Holy Land, it will give you insight into how God works in peoples’ lives today. You will be inspired to be like the Christians she writes about, who maintained their faith in spite of the many difficulties and persecutions they faced. This is a must read for anyone who wants to grow in their faith!!
- Dr. Brian Straub

Darcia and Amos bring Kezia home. Kezia’s mind is broken from the torture that Caiaphas put her through in prison. ‘Delia, with her young son Jude, tries to find work in Jerusalem. When this does not work out she turns her sights to Samaria. Will she find her father? Marcus Tiberius and Navia are raising Esmira, Kezia’s daughter, whom they call Diana. Caiaphas is still struggling to get rid of the Jesus problem. Unbeknownst to him, some of his own family are believers. Finding Promises helps us all see that finding Christ is the ultimate solution.

Pastor, Author, Forgiven, Wife, Actor, Survivor
Survivor: This book is dedicated to the memory of so many loved ones and friends I have lost to cancer. So the symbol in the corner of the cover for Finding Promises is the light purple/lavender ribbon indicating all forms of cancer. Originally I was going to use the pink ribbon for I am a breast cancer survivor. When this is published it will be 25 years. PTL. I am so blessed that my Lord has given me these extra years in which these books have been written. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Finding Promises will be donated to the Stephanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research, a local Columbus, Ohio foundation.
Watch for Promises Kept coming soon.

Susan would love to hear from you. [e-mail]

Susan with Scrapper Feathers and Portia Bonnie Kate

Cover Art: Dale Herron
Models: Rachel Luther and Christian Luther

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 6, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524652173

Susan A. Perkins

Dale Herron has been illustrating books for over 20 years. He is a graduate of the Columbus College of Art & Design and lives with his wife and son in Circleville, Ohio. Dale highly enjoys a good tale to illustrate. He is also passionate about the relevance of Biblical truth to contemporary life. Dale continues to provide work for a growing list of independent authors, illustrating adult, teen, and complete children’s books. To see a gallery of his work, please visit www.daleherron.com

Book preview

Chapter One

A mos woke with trepidation. What would he find when he got to the prison window today? He feared that he would find Kezia had been killed too for her faith. Why hadn’t he taken the time to get to know this young woman whom his son loved and who had borne his only grandchild?

When he had returned to the inn the night before, he had not spoken of his fear concerning Kezia to the others. What could he or any of them have done anyway? The high priest Caiaphas had not been able to make his point with the other women and children. Those others were all dead. Would he find Kezia dead also?

He considered going to his Uncle Caiaphas and pleading for the life of his daughter-in-law and his grandchild. But he knew his uncle’s resolve.

He checked on Mydia, Kezia’s mother. She was afflicted with what they all called the women’s disease. Onnua cared for Mydia night and day. He was reminded that Onnua had cared for him when he had fallen ill at the inn several years previously. For a woman he had once despised, he had come to admire her. Mydia was sleeping and it looked that Onnua was napping on the stool next to her. He knew that his wife Eunice would spell her later in the day.

Then Amos stopped at the kitchen. Hiram had filled a basket for Amos to take to the prison. Amos looked closely at Hiram. Amos could tell that Hiram was suffering.

His wife being ill and his daughter in prison weighed heavily on this good, kind man.

As Amos walked toward Jerusalem to take food to his daughter-in-law, he prayed that she was still alive. And as he walked he reflected back on the days before his own marriage. He remembered how his father Zebulon and he had walked to the synagogue daily. They had their phylacteries tied on their foreheads for all to see. Less pious men would tie them on their forearms his father would declare. But Zebulon had wanted the world to know how pious he was. They had stopped at each corner to pray and show the world they followed the law.

Since Amos had become a follower, he had learned to pray wherever and whenever the spirit moved him to pray. And that had happened a lot lately. Instead of the empty words he had heard and learned in his youth, he prayed about the things that meant something to him. He prayed for his son to come back soon. Bartemaus and Cleopas were on a preaching mission. He prayed that his daughter-in-law was still alive. He prayed for Mydia to regain her strength but knew that seldom happened with women who had the affliction. He even prayed for Onnua and Zaccheus and was amazed at how his attitude had changed toward them. He tried to pray for his father Zebulon and for his Uncle Caiaphas but that was harder.

In fact he was so busy praying as he trudged toward Jerusalem, he did not notice the two bundles of bone and rags struggling on the road toward Bethany. It was only when he heard his name called that he turned to look at them. The one woman was old with dirty matted hair and long dirty nails. The other looked like Kezia but her normally bright eyes were blank. The older woman motioned to him again to come near to them.

It took a moment for the realization to sink in. Kezia was alive and on the road to Bethany.

Thank God, he whispered to himself and went to them. He found that the old woman was supporting Kezia and encouraging her every step.

So Amos lifted the girl into his arms to carry her home. She was so light. She was thin from her weeks in the prison. Her head flopped against his chest. Darcia lifted Kezia’s arm into her lap. With Darcia’s help they continued on to Bethany.

Such joy their arrival caused at the inn! Hiram took his child from Amos and carried her through to the room that had been hers. Darcia followed, not knowing what else to do.

Zaccheus and Onnua crowded into the room to confirm that indeed their almost daughter was home. Onnua went immediately to Mydia to tell her the news. Mydia tried to rise but could not. A tear slid from the corner of her eye and landed on her pillow. Her only child was home and she could not go to her.

Hiram brought a pan of hot water from the kitchen to wash his daughter. But Darcia took the cloth from him and began to minister to the girl. Serving was something Darcia understood. And since she had nowhere to go, if she made herself useful, she might get to stay at least one night and then…well she would see what happened then.

Eunice brought a clean garment for Kezia from her things. She was closest in size to the girl. She thanked Darcia and asked if she might help. Darcia suggested that she could try to comb out the mats and tangles in the girl’s hair. Eunice talked softly to her daughter-in-law as she worked. Kezia’s once beautiful hair was a mess. She started near the bottom and combed as gently as she could. Sometimes she used her fingers to work out a snarled mess one strand at a time. Finally she asked the question that had them all perplexed, Why doesn’t she speak to us?

Darcia, who was scrubbing on Kezia’s very dirty feet, answered, I do not know. She was fine when she left our cell at the prison, but when I found her by the steps of the prison, she was like this.

Kezia left the prison?

Yes. I thought they had killed her too. Then they came for me and threw me out. I found her as you see her at the prison gate.

They continued in silence for a while, Darcia scrubbing, rinsing and drying; Eunice stroking out snarls. Suddenly Eunice drew her hands back and wailed, Dear Lord!

Darcia looked up and saw where she was looking. Yes, Kezia had lice and probably other vermin as well in her hair. Eunice went to get some of the lye soap they used for wash and Darcia scratched at her own head and continued her labor.

When Eunice returned with the soap, she also brought a clean garment for Darcia. I hope you will be able to fit in this. When we are finished with Kezia, I thought you would like to clean up a little too. Darcia was taken aback by the kindness she was being shown. She nodded her thanks.

Here help me wrap her in this old garment and we’ll take her out back and clean her hair.

The women wrapped Kezia up and took her behind the inn. There they wet her hair and scrubbed it with the lye soap. While they did this Darcia became aware of a small boy watching them near the side of the building. When they had rinsed her hair for the final time, she called to him. Are you the boy Shua that was lost in Jerusalem?

He timidly shook his head but would not come near her.

You were very brave to be alone in that city all those days.

He continued to stare at her with his huge eyes. She knew that she probably looked very scary to him.

Your friend was named Nathanael, wasn’t he?

No one had told him what had happened to the children that had been taken to the prison. He just shook his head and was able to mumble the word, Yes. Eunice was beginning to dry and comb out Kezia’s hair and watched this exchange with interest.

Your friend Nathanael left something in the prison. I brought it out with me. I think he would like you to take care of it for him. Do you think you could do that?

Shua thought about her request and squinted at her thinking to himself: What could she have that would interest him? Maybe, he said slowly.

Will you come closer, I won’t bite?

This made him look at her funny. Why would she think about biting him? Just to be cautious, he asked, What is it?

She reached into the folds of her garments and smiled at him. This was quite scary too as her teeth were really yellowed and some were gone. Something that I think a small boy, such as yourself would like. But you will have to ask your parents if you can keep it. It is not something they would want in the house. But if you like it and want it, and they want you to have it, then I think Nathanael would want you to have it.

This intrigued him. What could she possibly have that his parents would not want to have in the house? And what if he liked it and someday Nathanael came and wanted it back? He took a couple steps closer. Well, Aunt Eunice was here so she would not hurt him if Aunt Eunice was watching. The old woman fumbled around with a pouch and pulled something small out of it. She motioned him to come closer. And so he took a few more steps. She opened her hands and showed him what she was holding.

It was a tiny, gray mouse and she put it into his hands. The mouse sat up in his hands and looked at him. She sniffed the air causing her little whiskers to twitch. She licked her paws and washed her face. She looked at him with her tiny black eyes. Her tiny feet felt cool on his hand.

Nathanael called her Nebish. She is probably hungry and thirsty. He fed her bits of bread and some tiny pieces of fruit when your family brought us things. She may like cheese.

I can keep her? Shua asked, amazed that he had been given such a gift.

If your parents agree.

That was all it took. Shua was off to find Zaccheus. He knew that he could get his father to agree a lot faster than his mother concerning a mouse.

Darcia turned back to Eunice. Eunice smiled at her. That was a kind thing you did. We have not told the boy what happened to his friend. Thank you for not telling him either.

He’ll learn soon enough. It was the voice of the old Darcia. If she was going to get to stay here, she would need to learn to temper her words.

Yes, he will, answered Eunice, but not today.

Is there a sharp knife around that I might use?

Eunice wondered why the old woman wanted a knife, but she said, I’ll check with Hiram, I’m sure he has some. Eunice went through the door into the kitchen and returned with a knife.

Darcia thanked her, picked up the extra garment and the lye soap and walked down to the creek.

Come my dear, Eunice said to her daughter-in-law and led her into the kitchen. She sat Kezia on a low stool where she could see Hiram working thinking that perhaps she would talk to him. Hiram came and hugged his now clean daughter and mouthed a thanks to Eunice. Still, the girl just sat and stared out at the kitchen with eyes that seemed to see nothing.

Later old Darcia came back to the inn. She was clean. The garment fit her but was big. Her shoulders were so thin that it sort of hung on her crookedly. She had used the knife to cut off her long, dirty and chipped nails. She had also used it to cut off all her hair. There were a few spots of short spiky hair, but most of it was gone. Her scalp was splotchy red from the scrubbing she had obviously given it with the lye soap. Even her head seemed thin from the months in the prison.

I hate to ask for more, you have already been so generous, but do you have a cloth I could tie about my head? It seems cold to me and unseemly.

Yes, of course, I should have offered you something. Eunice went to fetch an item she thought would work.

Hiram looked at her. He had heard how difficult this woman had made the lives of the women and children in the prison. Yet, she had brought his daughter home and washed her and tended to her before herself. Are you hungry?

Could you make me a plate to feed to your daughter first?

Hiram nodded and did just that. Then he watched as she patiently spooned food into Kezia and tore off bite-sized pieces of bread for her. Kezia chewed the food that was offered to her, but made no attempt to help herself. Hiram swallowed hard to keep from crying and turned back to finishing the meal. With his back turned he could hear the old woman encouraging Kezia with each bite to chew. She offered her drinks of goat’s milk and helped her to keep from slopping on herself.

When Kezia had eaten all that Darcia could get her to eat, Darcia asked if she should put her to bed in the room they had used earlier. Hiram showed her the way. She and he helped the girl into bed. Hiram covered her with blankets and kissed her forehead. Still, she did not respond.

Hiram then offered Darcia food and they all gathered in the kitchen to ask her about what happened. Questions came tumbling out from every direction. What happened in the prison that made her this way? How did you both get out? Why did you think to bring her here? What became of the rest of them? Are any still alive? Who are you? What is your name?

Where’s the little boy? she asked in reply.

He’s with his father. They are making a mouse home for Nebish. I am not sure that I would have chosen a mouse for a pet, but he seemed so pleased with it and it does seem so tame… well she won’t eat much anyway. By the way I am Onnua and I helped her parents raise Kezia.

My name is Darcia and I am … I am no one special. I was already in the prison when the women and children were brought there.

There was some murmuring and Darcia knew that they were all speculating on why she had been incarcerated.

I was hungry. After … after my son … after my son died I had no one. I was too old to find work and I stole a loaf of bread. I can assure you, I am not dangerous. She took some food and chewed it. Since the lad is not here, I will answer your questions about the prison and what I know about what happened.

The women and children, they were all brought in together and they all knew each other and were friends. I was not sure what their crime was but that became apparent soon enough. Your daughter, Hiram, tried to keep the children from worrying by telling them stories and praying with them. She was obviously the one the others looked to for support. Considering all that happened I think she was the one old Caiaphas was really after.

The first one the guards went after was the whiny one with the reddish hair. I think they knew she was not happy there and wanted to get out. They tried to take her child but she decided to keep the child, deny Christ, and get away from there. I can only assume that she took the child and went home to her husband.

The others in the room glanced at each other on this comment but said nothing. Since ‘Delia had no husband to go to, and had not returned to the inn, they had no idea where she was.

That was also when they took Kezia’s child. I tried to shame her by telling her what the Romans did with small children like that. All I did was cause her to vomit. Then the twins were taken. Cute little ones. The girl was shy but she was talking to Kezia and Lydia by the time she was … she was … well …

Nathanael put up a fight. Lydia was very brave. Stupid I thought then, but brave. I kind of thought the guard Corello would help her. I thought he was sweet on her. But a Roman is a Roman.

What they really wanted was for the two women to renounce this Jesus. But they would not. I do not think I could have given up my babes … my sons … as they did. I could tell that Jesus meant a lot to them.

Darcia paused and twisted the corner of her shawl between her fingers. Then she continued.

When it was just the two of them left, Kezia and the one with the stunning blue eyes, the guards did a cruel thing. The mothers were asked to renounce their faith or give up their children and they gave up their children rather than deny their faith. But when they came to ask the women, they wanted Kezia to give up her faith to save her friend and herself. I suspected they would kill them both anyway. And Rachael, I think that was her name, she begged them to ask her and not her friend. I think Caiaphas was behind this. It is the kind of mean and hateful thing he would do. Well, they took Rachael and I think they killed her.

Eunice bit her lip. How could her uncle be so cruel to a woman he was related to? Did he have that much hate?

By then Corello had deserted. I do not think he had the stomach for killing women and children and especially not Lydia who was a miniature of the mother. I accepted Christ after watching what those women went through. Not sure why except if He was that important to them, He must really be something. Then yesterday morning they came for Kezia and I was sure I would never see her again. I knew in my heart she had died bravely.

Shortly after she left, they kicked me out too. I found her like she is now huddled by the steps of the prison. She left the cell thinking she was going to die, but they did not kill her. I think that was Caiaphas’ plan too. He left her feeling the guilt of the death of all those women and children. But she was not able to die for her Savior herself.

We walked that day through the city to the gate. They closed the gate as we got there so we slept in its shelter. Then I was going to walk her down here and hope someone could tell me where she had lived. Then we met Amos and you know the rest.

The others let Darcia finish her meal. They were all thinking their own thoughts about what had happened to the women and children who had gone into the prison. Hiram asked if she had had enough food and she thanked him for all that she had been given. She asked if she could go and share the bed with Kezia. I could be there in case she needs anything in the night. Then I can go on my way in the morning.

She retired early, weary from all that had happened in the last few days. She said the second prayer she had said since her son had … died. She prayed that somehow she would find a place to be and to work. She wanted work that she, an old woman, could do.

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Shua brought the mouse house to show his mother when he and his father had finished with it. It was made of small pieces of kindling wood fastened together with leather thongs and tallow. There was a small door in the top for food and to clean the mouse house. His father had fashioned a thong latch for it. Shua and Zaccheus had put in grasses for bedding and had torn up some soft cloth for her to nestle in. Onnua smiled for she recognized the toweling as one of Hiram’s. She was not sure if it had been purloined or donated. Whether taken or given, it was Nebish’s now. She remarked on the sturdiness of the little house. She thanked her son for wanting to let her hold Nebish but declined saying that Nebish had been held too much already for one day for one small mouse. She sighed to herself that she did not have to touch the little beasty today anyway. She smiled too that she had not screamed when he showed it to her. She knew enough about small boys to know one never screamed when presented with mice, snakes, or other vermin. She had for years been admiring their beauty from afar and thanking the creator that Shua had never dropped things down her neck because what fun was it anyway if you did not scream?

Onnua remembered the time that Shua and Ebie had found some baby snakes by the creek and brought them up to her. She looked at them and suggested that since they were babies they should be put back so they wouldn’t die. She went back in the house and nearly collapsed. Then she heard the boys lamenting that it was no fun since she had not screamed. She had thanked the good Lord for helping her keep her wits and the boys never did that again.

Shua begged her to let him keep the mouse in his room and it was agreed that would be a good place for her. They certainly did not want their guests knowing that a mouse was intentionally being allowed to live on the premises.

Shua went happily to bed that night without a fuss and later when Onnua checked on him he was playing with Nebish on his bed. His mother admonished him gently to put her in her bed and for him to go to sleep.

Chapter Two

W hen Darcia woke in the morning, she found that Kezia was awake as well but lying quietly next to her. So Darcia got up and dressed and then helped Kezia up and dressed her. She carefully combed Kezia’s hair and tied the cloth around her own head. She then led Kezia to the kitchen and asked discreetly for where the family relieved themselves. She took Kezia out there and they both took care of their morning ablutions.

Darcia brought Kezia back to the kitchen door and sat her on the bench there. She went into the kitchen and asked for water to wash the girl’s hands and suggested that if there was food, she would feed her as well.

Kezia allowed her hands and her face to be washed. But she did not help the old woman. Hiram brought food for them both and then sat on the bench and watched Darcia encourage Kezia to eat the food offered to her. Darcia could see a great sadness in the man’s eyes. He had lost his grandchild and now his daughter was lost in her own world and his wife was ill.

You said you had two sons, Hiram opened a conversation with the old woman.

Yes, that’s right, two sons. She took the corner of the cloth about her head and began worrying it between her fingers. Would they let her stay if they knew her terrible secret? They were all followers of Christ, but could they forgive her for that?

You said you had nowhere to go. Aren’t they around here? Couldn’t they take care of you?

She