Rachel's Journey

By Mona Nelson

In Rachels Journey, Rachel leaves her home to travel alone into the world. This journey is her only chance for a future, as she uses her skills against the wild and those who fight against her. She will meet new friends but also must battle her familys old foes. Evil is triumphing, and Rachel must join the Opposition and help fight for freedom. Can one young girl make a difference in the world? Her God says that nothing is impossible with Him, so Rachel only has one choice. Can she find her future and help her people?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 10, 2015
• ISBN: 9781512707113

Mona Nelson

Mona Nelson is the principal of a Christian school. She enjoys teaching Bible-study classes and writing stories. Mona loves speaking and is happiest with a microphone in her hand. She lives in Carriere, Mississippi.

Book preview

Rachel’s

Journey

36735.png

Mona Nelson

36745.png

Copyright © 2015 Mona Nelson.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

All references unless otherwise noted are New King James Version.

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

1 [phone]

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-5127-0712-0 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-0713-7 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5127-0711-3 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015912663

WestBow Press rev. date:   10/14/2015

Contents

Chapter 1—The Exile

Chapter 2—The Future and Hope

Chapter 3—Rachel’s Last Day in the Village

Chapter 4—The Journey Begins

Chapter 5—The Native Boy

Chapter 6—Tosha’s Story

Chapter 7—Danger in the Camp

Chapter 8—Another Attack

Chapter 9—The House in the Woods

Chapter 10—Hidden Goods

Chapter 11—The Tall Stranger

Chapter 12—Joshua’s Plan

Chapter 13—The Explanation

Chapter 14—The Journey to Monta

Chapter 15—The Brook Family

Chapter 16—Good News

Chapter 17—The Meeting

Chapter 18—A Life in the Balance

Chapter 19—The Opposition Begins

Chapter 20—The Dungeon

Chapter 21—The Prayers of a Righteous Man

Chapter 22—The Capture

Chapter 23—Brothers

Chapter 24—The First Family Reunion

Chapter 25—The Journey Home

Only always for my King

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans for welfare and not for evil,

to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

Chapter 1—The Exile

T he sun’s last rays were streaking the sky with pinks and golds as Grandma Sarah, inside her small thatched hut, poked at the wood in the stone fireplace while watching the road through her makeshift window. It was early spring, and the nights were still quite chilly. She pulled her shawl closer around her shoulders and shivered. Her sixty-eight-year-old bones were difficult to keep warm these days.

The hut was snug, and she was glad that the fire would keep it warm throughout the evening. Grandma Sarah sank into her chair - a crude imitation of an armchair made of young saplings, stuffed with hay, and draped with a threadbare cloth. Another chair just like it sat in front of the fire. A rug made of woven bulrushes lay on the floor under her feet. Grandma Sarah leaned her head against the chair back and sighed. She allowed herself a few minutes of grief, although her pain was old. She closed her eyes and let her memory float back to a day exactly fourteen years ago today.

Grandma Sarah was startled awake a few minutes later by Rachel’s voice calling goodnight to those still outside finishing evening chores. Then the door burst open and Rachel and Michael strode in. Their youthful laughter and energy filled the room and cheered Grandma Sarah immediately. She whispered her thanks to heaven for these two children, gathered her skirt, and started to stand.

No, do not get up, Grandma. You rest while we finish supper, Rachel said kissing her check and pushing her down into the chair.

Yep, Michael grinned, you don’t get up till we say, huh, Rachel?

Michael was thirty-something; no one knew for sure. His beautiful blue eyes were slanted, and he was short and chubby; a man with a child’s mind.

Oh, you’re my angels, Grandma said as she received Michael’s bear hug and kisses.

Rachel took a loaf of bread from the table and cut three big slices. She reminded Michael to pour water into the clay mugs while she scooped helpings of vegetable soup. They all settled down in front of the fire, Grandma Sarah and Rachel in the chairs and Michael in his place on a wooden stool beside his two favorite people.

Your turn, Michael, Grandma said softly after they were settled.

Michael closed his eyes and put his hands together in prayer. Dear God, thank you for the flowers we saw today peeping through the grass. Amen. No, wait, I forgot something, Grandma Sarah.

It’s all right, Michael, God is still listening.

Okay, he said getting back into his prayer position. God, I wanted to thank you ‘specially today for Rachel, ‘cause in one day it is her birfday. Amen again.

Rachel smiled, Thank you, Michael.

How old will you be on your birfday, Rachel? Michael asked, scooping soup into his mouth with his wooden spoon.

I will be thirteen… well, we don’t really know how old I will be or when my birthday really is, Rachel sighed. I wonder if I will ever know my whole story, Grandma.

I hope you will, my precious one. I pray that you will.

They ate in silence for a while, the wood from the fire popping and sending warmth into the room.

Rachel looked up hopefully. Grandma, will you tell us the story tonight? You usually tell it on my birthday, but tomorrow will be pretty busy.

Grandma Sarah glanced at Michael. He was busy running a piece of wood along the floor like a canoe in the water.

Someone gets upset when they hear that story, Grandma said quietly so as not to get Michael’s attention. How ‘bout after they go to bed?

Rachel nodded and Michael looked up.

Who’s going to bed? Not me.

Of course not you, silly, Rachel said laughing and pulling him to his feet. You can’t go to bed. You have to help me do the dishes and sweep the floor.

Michael quickly had a better idea. I think I need to go to bed.

Grandma Sarah and Rachel laughed. While Rachel cleaned the dishes and Grandma Sarah sewed buttons on a shirt, Michael put on his pajamas, cleaned his teeth with a cloth and minty soap, and put himself in his bed. He talked to himself, muttering and giggling, but was soon quiet.

Rachel peeped in at the door and then pulled the bamboo cover over Michael’s doorway. He is asleep, she said to Grandma Sarah, who put away her sewing as she laughed. I wish I could fall asleep that quickly! Ah… to be young and sleep like a baby again.

Are you warm enough, Grandma?

Yes, dear, I am snug and cozy. I just hope I can stay awake to tell you this story.

Thanks, Grandma. I know it’s a hard story to tell, but I’m afraid I won’t remember all the details.

I know, and I want you to be able to remember the whole story, and if God is willing, to one day tell it to your own children.

That’s impossible. There are no other young people here. Michael’s the closest to my age, and, well…

"Of course it’s possible. My prayer is that God will bring you a nice, young man. Remember always, Rachel; nothing is impossible with God. Now, let’s get to the story.

"One day, fourteen years ago today, I was in my hometown of Bellavia. Let’s see, it was Market Day, and I had bought several items and had them in my basket. I had seen my daughter, Sophie, and her husband, Robert, at the meat stall. We had chatted for a few minutes to decide what time they would come to dinner the next evening. As I finished picking up the items I needed, I began to walk back home when a messenger stopped me.

"He asked me, ‘Are you Madam Sarah Kathan?’

"‘Yes,’ I answered.

"‘Here is an official letter for you.’

"I opened the letter right then and there. It read something like: You are ordered to pack not more than two suitcases and appear at the Weslo Station at 12:00 noon today. Not following these orders will be punishable by death.

37151.png

"It was signed by the king. He was very evil —everyone knew that. A few people had disappeared, but we never thought he would do anything drastic. He was young, and we all thought he would shape up soon. I started running towards my daughter’s house to tell her, but met her on the way. We were both hysterical. She had heard that the king was ridding his kingdom of people he considered undesirable. Anyone old, sickly, or handicapped had to go.

Sophie told me not to go. She begged me. She said Robert would take me to the forest and hide me. But I didn’t want them to risk their lives and future for me. I told them I would go, and if they could figure out something to come get me.

Rachel took Grandma Sarah’s hand. Why did the officials take you, Grandma?

Grandma Sarah sighed, "Well, I had broken my foot a few months before and that is when I began limping. Plus, I was getting older. I really don’t know. It was all so confusing.

"Anyway, Sophie and I ran back to my house, me limping all the way with my foot aching badly. What do I pack into suitcases? How long would I be gone? We packed in one case all the clothes we could stuff in. In the other case, my favorite pots and pans, some towels, thread, scissors, needles, soaps, toiletries, my Bible, a couple of my favorite books, linens, candles, matches, and a couple of blankets. I wore several layers of clothes and a sweater and coat. I also had a basket filled with food.

"Sophie and Robert walked me to the station. There were several elderly people, several people with mental conditions like Michael, and several people with physical deformities. Word at the station was that other people were sent to other stations around the kingdom, but I know nothing of that. We’ve never seen anyone from the other stations.

"An official called out our names, took our luggage, and loaded us quickly onto the train. I scarcely had time to kiss and hug Sophie and Robert goodbye. Once we were outside of town, the officials blindfolded us. We traveled for two days by train, were then loaded onto wagons and traveled that way for five days, and then put on a boat for four more days. They kept us blindfolded the entire time. We were fed very little and given only a bit of water.

"On the boat one night, I heard a guard approach the watchman on duty. They talked softly, yet I heard them.

"‘King Henry is crazy,’ one of them said. ‘I can’t believe he’ll get away with this.’

"‘Yes,’ the other man said, ‘but you have to admit it will be nice without all these people around who are nothing but a drain on the rest of us.’

"The first man answered, ‘I believe he did it mostly as a joke. I heard when he gave the order he giggled and said something about how those old people and idiots were never going to make it on their own. Then he said that at least he couldn’t be accused of murder.’

"The second man sighed and said, ‘Do you think they’ll make it?’

"‘No— not for very long, anyway. It’s kind of sad, but we’ve got to follow our orders.’

That’s when I knew they were just going to leave us somewhere. And I was right. The next day we docked here at the beach. They put us out on the shore with our luggage.

Grandma Sarah shifted in her chair while Rachel poked the fire and put on another log. She took a pot and filled it with water for their tea.

Are you okay, Grandma? We can finish this later, if you want, Rachel offered.

No, I’m fine. I’m almost through. She closed her eyes while Rachel finished making the tea and handed her a cup. Grandma sipped it gratefully and then continued.

There we were—eighteen of us sitting on the shore. Eric was there, and another little angel like Michael was crying for his mother. Grandma Hautie took him in her arms and rocked him for a while, promising him that he would be okay and that she would take care of him. She did, too, but that first winter when he got sick and we didn’t have any medicines, he died. He was the sweetest thing you ever saw. Grandma paused and got a faraway look in her eyes before continuing, "Anyway, that day Señor Carlos, blind as a bat, gathered us in a group. I told everyone what I had heard on the boat. Everyone was devastated, but Carlos took over and began to get us organized. We needed three things first, he said—food, shelter, and water. He told everyone to put their grief on hold because the only way we were going to survive was to get organized. He sent Michael and Eric, both big strong boys, with Mr. Jaree and Mr. Donald, who was deaf, to gather firewood. Mr. Jaree was perfectly fit other than missing an arm that was lost in a fight with a bear. Old Mr. Rutland needed a wheelchair making him useless in the sand, so Carlos put him to work making a list of our assets.

A lady we knew only as Martha was trying to walk away. She kept talking nonsense and swatting at something in the air. Turned out the poor woman had a mental illness. We could never keep her with us. She would wander off no matter how secure we made her. One night a few weeks later, she walked away during the night. We never found her again. Oh, yes, King Henry has a lot to answer for.

Grandma Sarah wiped a tear away. "That day, old Mrs. Barbara and Mr. Dewey had been kept busy with Miss Martha. The other five were unable to do anything at all—they were too old or too ill. All five passed away quickly during the next few weeks.

"Anyway, within a few hours, Señor Carlos had us all organized. With my matches and the firewood the men had brought back, we got three fires going and soon had all the sick and elderly around them. Mrs. Thelma and I, the two fittest women, had set out lunch on a couple of blankets.

"Because Señor Carlos was blind, when he needed to privately relieve himself, Mr. Jaree took him away into the brush. Señor Carlos, whose hearing is fantastic—I believe if you lose one of your senses, God gives you extra on the others—so Señor Carlos was alone behind a hill and suddenly he called out to Mr. Jaree. Mr. Jaree ran to him, and Carlos grabbed Jaree’s arm and pointed south. Sure enough, Carlos had heard correctly. A beautiful babbling brook was running from a little fresh water spring. We had water! Poor Eric and Michael and Jaree—they carried many a pot of water that day.