Bridge to the Beautiful City

By Ben Armacost

Have you ever wondered if your life could be different? Do you sometimes feel like youre missing out on something more exciting and fulfilling? From time to time, these thoughts cross our minds and leave us wondering if theres more to life than just the drudgery of daily routines.

Bridge to the Beautiful City is the story of a man who is asking these very same questions. He is a man with an impossible dream and an undying passion to discover whether that dream is fact or fantasyand hes willing to put his life on the line to achieve it. Follow this traveler as he pursues the adventure of a lifetime!

Ben Armacost offers a pill that The Matrix doesnt. True, you may prefer a blue pill that numbs you into contentmentbut enslaves to an attractive but inauthentic reality of your own invention. You may prefer a red pill that awakens you to the ugly truth of authentic reality, but leaves you in pain. Armacost offers another pillthe pill of your dreamsa bridge to the beautiful truth of authentic reality that will one day be pain-free. That is Bridge to the Beautiful City. Dare to dream, and cross the bridge.
Drew Parlee, Strategy Trainer, Greater Europe Mission

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Jan 28, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490818238

Ben Armacost

Ben Armacost spent much of his childhood wondering if there is more to this life than meets the eye. He discovered the “bridge” as a young teenager, and the “beautiful city” changed his life and his heart radically. This journey has taken him around the world, opening doors of adventure and hope. Ben lives in London with his wife Judy. They have three grown children and three precious grandchildren.

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Copyright © 2014 Benjamin James Armacost.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-1822-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-1823-8 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013922042

WestBow Press rev. date: 1/24/2014

Contents

Preface

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

to Erik & Natalie

my beloved friends and partners in the beautiful city

Preface

This is a story representing the journey common to most people at some point in their lives, including my own. Throughout the years, I have found myself at various places in this quest and have greatly appreciated the people who have helped me along the way. My work in various places in the USA, Zaire (now DRC), Australia, and Europe, has allowed me to meet many people and to help them along this same pathway. Their plight—and the questions they ask along the way—prompted me to create an allegory that might provide a helpful road map for their journey.

I began writing this book several years ago with the hope that someday it would help clear up the confusion that many people experience in their search for meaning in life. I am finally able to release it into the hands of people who may find it an affirming and helpful resource in the pursuit of their ultimate destiny.

I am grateful for the assistance of many people who have provided feedback and corrections to the text. Deb Conley, Cathy Matthews, Jillian Goninon, Jaime Collings, and my son Tim Armacost helped me refine this story. My special thanks go to my friend and colleague, Drew Parlee, for dedicating his time and energy in proofreading and making final suggestions. Most of all, I am grateful to my wife, Judy, who has given me endless support in the publication of this book.

Prologue

I always hated making decisions.

The sun beat down on me mercilessly as I sat on that barren hillside, entrenched in thought about the biggest dilemma I had ever faced. The agony of indecision would continue to torment me until I made up my mind.

My vantage point gave me a clear view of two cities. One was a place of promise; the other, nothing but empty promises. There is no question where I wanted to be, yet just at the bottom of the hillside was the barrier which had stopped me in my tracks. I felt like a prisoner gazing intently through iron bars, wishing for his freedom. And yet this prisoner had a key that could possibly click open the rusty lock of his cell—or ensure the death penalty.

I was faced with many choices that day, but the fact was that I had only two options: turn back, or take the leap forward. There was no in-between, no gray area, and no halfway mark. I couldn’t sit on the fence forever. I could either walk away or take the plunge. It was as simple as that.

Contradictory thoughts waged war in my mind, tugging in opposite directions. It was as if one part of me was pulling to one side: Turn around and go back. It’s an unnecessary risk that could cost your life. Forget this foolish pursuit and preserve your dignity. The risk isn’t worth it. Don’t be a fool. Be sensible!

Another part of me was pulling the other way, desperate to find freedom from my years of misery and uncertainty: You’ve come this far, and now you’re just one step from paradise. For years you’ve dreamed of this day, and you’d be a fool not to take this final step into a glorious and promising future. Don’t settle for second