The Desperate and the Blest

By Robert C. Goddard

Though this book is fiction, it is based on Bible prophecy. The scenario is a figment of the author's imagination, however, as you will find, there is much to be learned from this cast of characters during the first hectic days following "The Great Disappearance".

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stratton Press
• Release date: Feb 28, 2022
• ISBN: 9781648957819

Robert C. Goddard

Successful contractor Jack Weston states that he is just as good as any Christian he knows, so, if they make it to Heaven, he will! He is shocked and unable to cope when his wife and three children are snatched from his car on a busy interstate on their way to church.Later, upon arriving at the church, he finds it empty except for his neighbor Lila Jenkins who is sitting in a pew with a little red dress pressed to her face and hysterically weeping.In this book Jack finds how they found strength to face the future in the Great Tribulation.Though this book is fiction, it is based on Bible prophecy. The scenario is a figment of the author's imagination, however, as you will find, there is much to be learned from this cast of characters during the first hectic days following "The Great Disappearance".

Book preview

One

Jack Weston viewed the finished project with pride. It had taken a lot of hard work and careful engineering. The million-dollar spread covered the greatest part of the ten-acre tract and was meticulously landscaped, complete with shrubs and trees.

The whole property was enclosed with a heavy chain-link fence twelve feet high with steel posts set in concrete. The fence was topped off with four strands of barbed wire hung on steel angle iron supports set at a forty-five degree angle to the outside. On every other post was a mercury vapor floodlight.

From the two-lane macadam road, a concrete drive curved gracefully to the front of the mansion and ended in a parking area for visitors’ cars. A massive locked gate of artistically wrought steel closed the driveway from the public. The gate was electronically controlled with an activator from the mansion or from one of the family vehicles. A tennis court and a swimming pool were set back and to the right of the mansion.

Marvin Queen, the multi-millionaire, was a hard-nosed businessman. He knew what he wanted, and it had to be just that way. Anyway, he’d been reasonable and had paid well. Jack heaved a sigh of relief. It had been six months to completion and had stretched his mental, physical, and financial resources to their limit. All that remained now was to collect the final payment, pay off his sub-contractor, and go back to normal living. Oh yes, he remembered, he needed to settle up with Joe for his electrical work. Joe was his brother-in-law and former partner.

Eight years ago, he had informed Jack that he wanted to sell out his half of the business and go into missionary training for foreign service. At the time, Jack advised him to think that one through again before taking his big family to a foreign country.

Joe’s only reply was If the Lord wants us in a foreign country, He will take care of us.

Well, they had made it through five years down there in that dry thornbush country living next to the Chulupi and Mataco Indians.

His mission station in the North Argentine Chaco was located near the bank of the Pilcomayo River. It was well established now. Joe and Marge had left a new couple in charge while they took their first furlough. The whole family seemed to be in good health, and after two months in the States, the kids were campaigning to get back to the Indians! All the school-age children were going to attend the Bible Berean Church Christian School. The twin boys were bored stiff except when they could find a stream in which to fish or someplace to hunt small game or birds with their slingshots. In the water, they swam like fish. Berean Bible Church furnished a home for missionaries, and that was where Joe and his family were living while they were on furlough. Joe had needed a supplement to his income while in the States, so Jack gave him the job of installing all the outside lighting called for in the contract. He had done a good job of it too.

Jack was suddenly jolted from his reverie as the big driveway gate swung open to receive a sleek Cadillac sedan that pulled up and stopped in front of the mansion. A sandy-haired man of average height and build opened the car door and stepped out onto the paved drive. He stood for a moment studying the front view of the mansion and then greeted Jack as he approached.

Jack said, Mr. Queen, it’s all ready for occupancy. Would you like to look it over?

The two men walked slowly by the tennis court and the swimming pool. Then Queen walked over and examined the perimeter fence. He already knew the inside of the mansion from one end to the other.

At last, he turned to Jack and said, It looks very nice. Do you have the inspection sheets?

Jack walked over to his pickup and drew out several folders which he handed to Mr. Queen. You will find everything there, including the signed inspection forms, a copy of the original contract, and a complete schematic showing the location of plumbing, electrical, and communication lines so that they can be easily located. I have kept a set of the schematics in my files. If you ever need our help again, we will be glad to be at your service.

Let’s go over to my car. I want to look these over a bit, Queen said. Settled in the front seat, Marvin Queen examined each folder with interest. At last, he looked over at Jack and said, I find everything in order. What is the name of your bank and your account number?

Jack handed him his account number at the Central Plains National Bank. Queen picked up his cellular phone and called in a transfer of $400,000 to Weston Construction Co.

He turned to Jack. Well, that’s it. You will find your transfer tomorrow morning at nine o’clock. If there is any difficulty, let me know. I like your work. If the occasion arises, I will recommend you to my colleagues.

Jack thanked him as he emerged from the plush seat of the Cad. As he made his way to his pickup, he seemed to be walking on air. He looked with pride at his company logo on the door of the pickup: Weston Const. Co. 6744 Bristol Rd. New Haven, CO. Phone [phone]. As he headed down the driveway, Queen activated the gate which swung open, allowing the big red pickup to emerge onto the road. As Jack drove home, his heart swelled with satisfaction as he thought about what a success his business had turned out to be and what a lucky guy he was. He had a beautiful wife and three great kids. His house was mortgage free. Most of his construction tools were paid for. The loan he had taken out at the bank to swing the Queen job would be paid off tomorrow and still leave him a tidy profit.

He turned into his drive, punched the garage door opener, and drove in beside his Buick Skylark. The door closed behind him, and he got out with his briefcase, slammed the pickup door, walked out in front of the Buick and Barb’s Ford, through the side door, and on into the kitchen. Barb was just starting supper. She had on a frilly dress that matched her blue eyes. Her honey-colored hair with golden highlights was brushed out shoulder length and tied back with a pink ribbon.

She looked up and said, Hi, honey, you’re home early!

They had been married ten years, but it always gave Jack a thrill to see that sweet face with the laugh wrinkles. He gave her a big kiss, then picked her up and whirled her around. She caught her breath and squealed, Put me down, you big ape!

He stood her back on her feet and said, Honey, Queen made the final payment on the contract. It will be in the bank in the morning. We are going to celebrate! How would you like a camping trip up in the mountains? We can take Joe and Marge and all the kids and give everyone a last fling before school starts. We’ll take the pop-up camper trailer. I’II put the camper on the pickup, and we’ll take tents for the bigger kids. What do you think?

Barb’s eyes lit up. She said, Sounds like a winner, honey, but we’ll have to see if Joe is free this weekend. He might have a meeting somewhere. Why don’t you call him while I get supper?

Jack went to the phone and called the Pattons. Hello, Marge, is Joe there? He isn’t? Do you know if he will be tied up this weekend? Well, have him call me when he gets home. Here’s why. I want to take both our families on a three-day camping trip in the mountains. I have everything we need, so don’t worry about a thing. We can fish and hike with the kids.

As he hung up, Barb called from the kitchen, Supper’s ready. It’s mainly leftovers, but there is plenty of it.

They sat down at the table, and Barb bowed her head and returned thanks.

Hey, where are the kids, Barb?

Oh, they wanted to see the new kittens, so Grandpa came and took them all over there. Gram called and asked if they could eat with them and they’ll bring them back after supper.

Barb snapped her fingers. Excitedly, she said, "I’ve got an idea about that trip to the mountains. After supper, I’ll tell you all about it.

Jack looked up with a quizzical expression and said, OK.

After supper, Barb put the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and cleaned up the table while Jack read the evening paper. She wiped her hands on the kitchen towel, hung her apron in its place, then went into the living room and sat beside Jack on the sofa. Jack turned to her and said, Let’s hear that great idea of yours.

"Oh, I was just thinking about what Mrs. Lindsey told me the other day of the super-good time they had at their family reunion. Maybe you’ve heard of this campground up north of the park where they have a place for different-sized families to stay together.

"There is a dormitory for the men and one for the women, plus a master bedroom for just one couple. Then there is a big family room where people can sit and visit. Breakfast and supper are included and the food is good. For lunch, most folks just eat sandwiches or quick food. The price is around two hundred fifty dollars a day and includes everything.

There is a miniature golf course, a roller-skating rink, and places for the children to entertain themselves. I think it would be fun for us women not to have to worry about fixing meals, and there are some good fishing streams you men could reach in a hurry with your 4×4 pickup!

Well, Jack said, that all sounds great, but I’ll bet this time of year you couldn’t get in for love nor money!

Barb quivered with excitement. Listen to this: Mrs. Lindsey said the Jones family have a reservation for next Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, but there was a bad accident and two of the family were killed. One of the family called Mrs. Lindsey and asked if she knew of anyone who would take their reservations since they had paid half down. So all we have to do is to let them know and pay them the down payment and the other half when we get to the campground.

Hmm, sounds good, but we don’t know yet if Joe can go. He should be calling any time now, so we will see.

Jack retrieved his paper and turned to the sports page. Soon the phone rang and he answered; it was Joe. Jack said to him, "Barb’s got a new idea, so let’s hear what you think of it. You know those units for family reunions in that campground north of the park? OK, then I don’t have to describe it to you. There is a good chance we can take over some other folks’ reservations for three days starting with next Wednesday.

"Expense? Don’t worry about it, I’m paying for everything. Listen, I know you’re not a moocher, this is something I want to do. Don’t let me down, old buddy! OK? Then we’re set. Bring your fishing gear. I hear there are some good trout streams we can get to from there.

By the way, Joe, meet me at the bank tomorrow morning and I’ll have your check for you. Yes, I collected from Queen this morning, so we are going to celebrate.

Jack hung up and turned to Barb. All right, honey, do your thing, and we will see if it all comes together.

Barb called the number Mrs. Lindsey had given her and the deal was made. Mrs. Jones would pick up the check in the morning, and they would go together to the agency to make the transfer of reservations. She said the deal was for twenty people. Just then, a car horn announced the arrival of Barb’s parents with the children. As the car stopped out in front, the rear car door flew open and out jumped Jack Jr. and Justin. The old folks got out, Grandma holding little Julie, a roly-poly two-year-old, with blond curls and blue eyes; she was Jack’s favorite. Mrs. Patton placed her gently on her feet, and she ran to Jack who scooped her up in his arms.

Hi, pumpkin! What have you been doing?

She was so excited that the words seemed to tumble from her rosebud lips. We saw Grandpa’s new kittens, and he said he’d give me the spotted one if you’ll let me have it!

Okay, pumpkin, we’ll see. You go play with your toys now while Mom and I visit with Gramp and Gram.

When everyone was settled back with a cold drink, Jack told them about their plans for going to the mountains. He said, Why don’t you two come with us? There’s room for twenty people, and with Joe’s family and ours, we only have thirteen so far.

Barb added her approval and said, You can have the master bedroom and rest whenever you want to get away from the crowd.

Mrs. Patton looked questionably at her husband, and he said hesitantly, Well, if we won’t be in the way, we’d be glad to go with you all.

Both Jack and Barb assured them that everyone would welcome them, so it was settled. After they left, Barb said, That makes fifteen, but we still have room for more. How about the Jenkins? There are four of them, and that would make nineteen.

Jack was agreeable, if they were free to come. Why don’t you call them? he said.

The Jenkins were close friends of the Westons. Peter was the principal of the Berean Bible Christian Day School. His wife, Lila, mother of Heather, twelve, and Molly, four, was tall and slender with brown eyes and jet-black hair, a classic beauty who was always immaculately dressed. In her school days, she had been the beauty queen of the large school where she attended. Unfortunately, she did not see herself as a sinner. She was a member of a large denominational church when she had married Peter Jenkins and felt that because of her church connection, she was a Christian. Her faith, however, was not in what Christ had done for her, but rather in her own good works and religious background. Peter, on the other hand, was a real born-again Christian. Barb called and Lila answered. Barb invited them to the get-together in the mountains, and after consulting with her husband, Lila said they would be there with bells on.

Well, Barb said, that does it. That will make nineteen people, so that’s almost the limit. We women will have to get together to plan the lunches, and we’ll be all set.

Two

Early Wednesday morning, four cars and Jack’s pickup were headed north. At 9:30, they pulled into the campgrounds. At the office, they checked in, and as Jack paid the last of the entrance fee, he was given a set of keys to their apartment and JD cards were issued to all to be presented at the dining room as their meal tickets. Everyone trooped over to apartment #3, their home for the next three days. Baggage and food were brought in, and they all inspected their sleeping quarters. Mr. and Mrs. Patton were shown to the master bedroom where their suitcases were deposited by Joe’s twins. Gramp patted them fondly and rumpled their red hair.

Thanks, boys, until you’re better paid. You are good kids even if I do say so, especially when you’re asleep!

He watched them as they went out the door giggling and jostling one another. They were good kids, as alike as two peas in a pod. They were full of life, got in trouble once in a while, and Joe would really lay it on with his hand or a belt. Joe’s kids didn’t sass their folks like he’d seen some others do. Neither he nor Marge would tolerate that kind of behavior and their kids showed it. They were well-behaved, respected older people, and in church meetings, they were quiet and at least pretended to be intent on what the preacher said. The two oldest girls, Grace, sixteen, and Mabel, fourteen, were sweet, sensible girls. Both were bookworms.

Patricia, seven, and Susie, four, were cute kids too, but those twins—they were something else, he mused. In Argentina, the twins had spent many hours each day with the Chulupi and Mataco Indian children, except when they were studying their correspondence school courses or doing chores. Each carried a slingshot in his hip pocket and a little net Indian bag slung by his side where they kept an ample supply of ammunition which they manufactured themselves. They would roll wet clay into marble-shaped balls and set them out in the sun to dry. These they called vorokes and were the death of a good many sparrows around Gramp’s barn. A slingshot in the hands of those two was a formidable weapon, and they were both dead shots! What one did, the other tried to do better, and they usually came out about even on anything they tried. They were really anxious to get back to the field, but school would soon start, so maybe that would keep them occupied until spring. Mr. Patton’s thoughts were interrupted by the call for lunch. Their noon meal was eaten out in a shady area on picnic tables.

As they seated themselves, a boisterous group of hippie-type people gathered at another table nearby, six men and four women. The men were of that familiar type with ponytails or shoulder-length hair, earrings, and tattooed arms. Around the necks of two of them hung a curious-looking pendant which seemed to indicate that they were of some unholy cult. The four women wore sunglasses, were dressed in a conventional way, and seemed rather subdued. When Jack and Barb’s group were seated, Joe stood up and gave thanks to the Lord for the food. Before he finished, everyone heard a remark from the nearby table.

Hey, look, guys! Jesus freaks!

Jack cleared his throat and looked annoyed, but said nothing.

The tension slowly subsided, and the conversation around the table was resumed. The afternoon was spent exploring the grounds. Jack and Joe took on Dad Patton and Peter Jenkins in a game of horseshoe. They were badly beaten, thanks to Mr. Patton, who was an old pro, though Peter was just average. The three younger men made plans for a fishing trip on the morrow, but Mr. Patton begged off because of his game leg. That evening, they all gathered in the family room for a singing session, with Joe accompanying on the guitar and Marge on the accordion. They sang many old hymns and also some of the newer Gospel songs. Marge and her two girls, Grace and Mabel, sang several trios. Finally at ten o’clock, they all retired to their sleeping quarters, tired but happy. Thursday morning after breakfast, Jack, Joe, and Peter left in the pickup, taking their lunch and saying they would try to return in time for supper. The women visited on a bench in the shade while the little ones played with their toys in the sandbox. The older girls, the twins, and Jack Jr. played dominoes and card games in the family room. After lunch, Grace and Mabel, each with a book, sought out a secluded spot where they could read in peace. The twins were practicing their powers in stalking birds, seeing which could get the closest before the bird flew. After a while, they were about to seek another way to entertain themselves when they saw two of the hippies approaching the place where the girls were reading.

Dean said, Let’s see what those guys are up to.

They sneaked up behind a juniper hedge and watched through a small opening. They were about thirty feet from where the girls were reading. The two men approached the girls and said, Hi!

The girls, who were very absorbed in their books, looked up with startled faces.

One man said, Hi, do you girls want to go for a ride?

Grace answered, We are Christians. We never go out with strangers.

Aw, come on, we won’t hurt you.

Grace said, Please leave us alone, or I’ll have to call for help.

Who will help you? he asked with an evil grin. Your men are all gone. Now come along like good girls or we will have to get rough.

As he said this, he whipped out his switchblade to intimidate them. The twins were close enough to hear the man’s threat.

Duane said, Let’s give them trouble. When we raise up, you get the one on this side and I’ll get the other one.

They fitted a clay marble into their slingshots. They stood up as one and their slingshots made just one sla-ap, and the missiles found their marks. The hippie had started to say, Now you will— but he never finished the sentence as Dean’s missile hit him just above his ear. His buddy got his over his right eye. The twins ducked down behind the hedge and reloaded.

The hippie dropped his switchblade, grabbed his ear, and said, Let’s get out of here!

As they turned to run, the twins let loose another volley, catching their victims, one on his neck, and the other on his rump. The twins emerged from their hiding place and walked over to their sisters who were still pale with fright and Mabel’s teeth were chattering. Grace gave the twins a big hug and then it occurred to her that they should get away from that place as soon as they could.

Let’s go, kids, they may come back. I’ll bet they are mad! she