Jehovah Shalom The Lord is Peace

By LeRoy Dunn

A story of finding and accepting Jesus Christ as savior. Set in 1939 during the German and Russian invasion of Poland. The German SS are trying to capture a young girl who has been reported to be able to heal people. The Nazis are determined to gain the power of healing to bolster their numbers and make them invincible. However, they forgot to take our Father into consideration.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LeRoy Dunn
• Release date: Sep 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215543139

LeRoy Dunn

Ex-Naval Special Warfare, ex-truck driver, current HVAC technician. During a very eventful life, spent thinking that I was a good person and would be going to heaven, I found out, not so much. I fortunately found Jesus and was saved. Please join me in searching for salvation through Jesus Christ.

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Prologue

Aleksandr was watching over the valley from a ledge above their camp. Earlier, just before dark, he had heard a brief gun battle from the far side of the valley. They were close enough to Brzesc that the gunfire and explosions of the ongoing battle could be heard clearly. He had not seen anything out of the ordinary since the gunfire. Now that night had fallen, it was time to move across the valley and get back into the cover of trees before daylight. The moon was shining bright. This would be one time that he wished it was not so bright. Moving quietly back to the camp, he found both Daria and Eliasz awake and waiting for him.

I was letting you sleep a little longer, Aleksandr said.

Eliasz nodded. Thank you, but I could not sleep any longer.

I could not either. I feel kind of anxious tonight. Daria said.

Did you see anything that might affect our moving across the valley tonight? Eliasz asked.

Aleksandr squatted near both of his companions. The battle for Brzesc is still raging, as you can hear. The patrols are spread out ahead of us, but no gunfire in this vicinity. There was, however, gunfire from across the valley.

Looking up at Aleksandr, Eliasz asked, How much gunfire did you hear? Did it sound like a large fight?

Shaking his head Aleksandr answered, No, it only lasted for a short time. I have not heard or seen anything since then. I have not seen any military traffic or patrols; I just know that they are there. It has been quiet. We need to get moving if we are to make it across the valley and into cover before daylight.

Chapter 1

The Journey Begins

The two men had been traveling by horse for two days and a night, cautiously, but with a sense of urgency. Father Dominik[1] had sent a message to them through one of the residents from Spokojny[2]. It was short and to the point, Return home immediately, but approach with caution.

Aleksandr[3] had obtained provisions and they had left at once. He had always kept Father Dominik aware of their whereabouts for three reasons. First, the priest from time to time would give them a job to do. Second, Aleksandr’s traveling companion, Eliasz[4], was Father Dominiks nephew. His genuine concern for his nephew was strong. The third reason was undoubtedly the most important. Aleksandr and Father Dominik had formed an alliance many years before, to help one person that they did not yet know. Maybe that time had come.

By keeping off the roads, and out of open areas, they had gotten this far without detection. They had used forest trails and had crossed over hills instead of going around the easy way. Poland had been invaded by the Germans from the west and the Russians from the east. It was no time to be stopped and questioned. They had seen a few Russian patrols from a distance, but the Germans were still farther west. The patrols had been on the roads and in the villages and towns. Evil always takes the easy way. Go that way and evil will surely find you. Aleksandr had learned that a long time ago while traveling around the world.

He slowly shook his head as sadness washed over him like a damp fog. He thought to himself. "Fast and easy. Why cannot people just stop and think? Pray to our Father and let the Holy Spirit guide them. Patience and sober thinking lead you on the right path[5]. Think! Fast and easy, probably bad."

As they approached a small open valley, they reined in a few meters from the edge of the forest. From there they were hidden in the shadows but they could observe any movement up and down the picturesque little valley.

Through dark, almost black eyes, Aleksandr surveyed up and down the valley. After several minutes he eased his large frame down off his tired horses back to give it a well-deserved rest. His one hundred ninety-one cm (6’ 3’’) one hundred and four kg (230 lb.) body had been very taxing on his horses endurance. He patted and stroked the gelding affectionately while the horse calmly nuzzled Aleksandr, returning the affection. Both horses had been chosen for their intelligence and coloring. They were both brown with dark mottling. Though undesirable to others, they were perfect for what these two travelers needed. They blended well with the surroundings and from a distance they were almost invisible. Essential, if you wanted to remain unseen.

Aleksandrs dark hair and skin, along with his size were in sharp contrast to the much younger

Eliasz. 25 years old, blonde hair, blue eyes, seventy-seven kg (170 lbs.) and one hundred seventy-three cm (5’8’’) he was very eager to learn all that he could from Aleksandr.

Eliasz had been on the road with Aleksandr for five years now. Preaching, teaching the gospel, and standing against evil. Helping innocent souls to escape the evils of this world was an honor that very few ever came to realize. He had also been learning hand to hand fighting skills and fighting with a staff. Eliasz had learned from Aleksandr to use these skills in self-defense and never to take a life. Aleksandr had a vast knowledge of the gospel as well as of combat. He was a model of conflicting personas. Large, dark, dangerous, and sometimes brooding, he was the most God-fearing and loving man Eliasz had ever met. Aleksandrs strength, both physical and mental, was unfathomable. Yet you knew it would never be used for evil, just against it.

When he was five years old Eliasz had come to live with his Uncle Dominik. He had lost both of his parents just a few months apart. His father had died from a fall and a few months later he lost his mother to pneumonia. Dominik had gently guided him through the grief and the fear he had felt, and there was Aleksandr. Aleksandr did not speak much, he would just sit with Eliasz and let him grieve. A hand on the shoulder and Elias would calm down and know that he was not alone.

Periodically Aleksandr would go away. Both men had explained that Aleksandr was needed elsewhere but that he would return, and he always did. When Aleksandr was home Eliasz would be his shadow. Inquisitive and in awe of Aleksandr, he spent all his free time with him. Father Dominik was at the same time teaching him to read, write, and arithmetic. He was also learning the Bible and to worship God. Both men taught him honor and obedience. Eliasz missed his parents, but he could not have asked for better teachers on how to become a good man.

On his tenth birthday, Uncle Dominik and Aleksandr had explained to him just what it was that Aleksandr did when he went away. Then they showed him the cave. That wondrous cave. They also explained the alliance that they had formed long before Eliasz was born. Uncle Dominik had said that while he had wanted Eliasz to grow and become a pastor like him, he thought it was time to learn what Aleksandr did and maybe follow in his footsteps. He had told Eliasz that he had a feeling that joining

Aleksandr was important. Life is about choices, he had explained, and the more knowledge you have the more choices you have.

The next eight years were a wonderful time to be a boy. Studying with Uncle Dominik and Aleksandr was a full-time occupation. Learning to apply the Gospels to his everyday life, learning skills he never imagined from Aleksandr. It was an amazing time.

On his eighteenth birthday, Aleksandr took him camping. Over the campfire, on the third night, Aleksandr had revealed the rest of the story about his past. Eliasz had at once made up his mind to follow Aleksandr and help in any way he could, which was how he found himself together with him on this night.

Eliasz dismounted and stood alongside Aleksandr to help survey the valley. Now that they were very close, caution was paramount. They had no idea yet why they were needed, only that Uncle Dominik had left out the name of the hamlet and they always met at the church. His normal painstaking attention to detail, so that nobody ever got confused, was missing. A fact that was not lost on either Aleksandr or Eliasz. The Priest didn’t want anyone to know their destination.

Uncle Dominik will be expecting us tomorrow night. The cave I told you about is up that slope straight across the valley. This country is full of caves. It is virtually invisible until you are right up on it. I found it one time when I was hunting up here as a boy. From the cave, it will be about a two-hour ride to Spokojny.

Aleksandrs eyes strayed up the slope and then around the head of the valley before resuming his survey of the surroundings. We will travel around the head of the valley, staying in the trees. It will be more difficult to be seen that way. We take our time and make sure that we are alone up here. It is about five hours until dark so that gives us about twenty-four hours to rest the horses and us. The message was to come, not why. We will need to be rested in case we have to travel fast.

Eliasz looked around, searching. "I have not seen Kelev[6] since daylight."

Without taking his eyes off the valley, Aleksandr smiled a very rare smile. Do not worry, he will be back. He is probably watching us to make sure we do not stray from our path.

Kelev was the third, and a very important member of the group. He was an impressive thirty-seven kilogram (80 lb.), gray and black Alsatian[7] dog. He had joined Aleksandr and Eliasz at a camp in Romania three years ago and never left. Aleksandr had named him Kelev. It is the Hebrew word for dog. He had proven to be invaluable; scouting ahead, leading them on the best path, avoiding people and supplying a diversion to help them escape bad situations. Kelev had proven his worth many times and he completed the small family they had become.

Silently, Kelev appeared and moved between the two men so he could receive equal back scratches from both men. He was calm and relaxed. This allowed both men to relax. If Kelev said it was safe, then it was safe.

Eliasz noticed a tuft of rabbit fur on the side of Kelevs mouth. Looks like his belly is full.

Aleksandr took one last look at the valley and then mounted up. Let us move on up to that cave. We all need food and rest.

They normally lived off what God provided for them. Wild game, berries, tubers, they never lacked for food. They both carried bows, hatchets, knives, and one shovel for gathering needed supplies. Both Aleksandr and Eliasz carried long staffs. These were their preferred weapons, and they were very skilled in their use. On this occasion, knowing time was of the essence, Aleksandr had purchased bread, dried meat, and fruit so that they would not have to stop.

Aleksandr spoke what had been on both of their minds. Father Dominik would not have sent for us unless it was an emergency. Since the invasion, the Germans and Russians have been gathering up Jewish people, Gypsies, and Clergy. Nobody knows where they are taking them, but they are never seen again. The Nazis and the Communists both have done this in their respective countries, and it never bodes well for the captives

With that said the small group headed quietly through the woods on their way to the camp.

Chapter 2

Schutzstaffel

[8]

A short, slightly built man was staring haughtily out of his top floor office at Eight Prince Albrecht St. The unadorned building was the headquarters of the Waffen SS here in Berlin. Reichsführer[9] Heinrich Himmler was thinking of their plan to cleanse Germany and then the world of all the people that they, the Nazis, consider to be subhuman. Jews, Gypsies, Blacks, Homosexuals, everyone not a true, clean Aryan will be removed or enslaved. Christians especially. They love and accept everyone. They must go! With them gone, all hope will be gone. To leave just us to rule over what is left as their masters. Raised in a Roman Catholic home, Himmlers disdain for Christianity was palpable.

Thinking to himself, "The only person in the world with more power than me is the Führer himself and my allegiance is solely to Hitler and our common goal. My teams will find these Christian artifacts and with their combined power we will be unstoppable. We need to keep the United States from entering the European war that we have planned. The Führers strategy for that is utterly brilliant! Form an alliance with Japan and promise to help them militarily. A promise that will not be kept. America will be busy defending themselves from those contemptible Japs, and they will not be able to fight two wars at once. That will give us the time we need to take Europe, including our for-now ally Russia."

So far, their plans had worked exactly as they had expected. Using the very people that they were now sending to concentration camps to gain power, through lies and propaganda, had been relatively easy. "We will be so powerful that not even the United States and their Christian God can stand against us. The Third Reich will show them what true power and fear is. For now, we need those artifacts!"

***

Obersturmführer[10] Dieter Schmidt hurried up the stairs towards Sturmbannführer[11] Schnieder’s office. "The old man will have me shot if I don’t deliver this message immediately. Putting me in charge of this section is a demotion as far as I am concerned. I should be leading men in combat, not leading small teams searching for religious artifacts. He said to use any means necessary to achieve our goals. Coming from the SS, that means torture and murder are not to be avoided. Schnieder was answerable directly to Himmler and his orders carried the full weight of Himmlers office.

He arrived at Schnieders secretaries office, slightly short of breath. She was a sharpish woman with a no-nonsense attitude, she jealously guarded

Schnieders inner sanctum. With a derisive tone, she demanded, What can I do for you?

No mention of my rank or name! She knows everyone in this building! I have a very important message for Sturmbannführer Schnieder.

Wait here and I will see if he is disposed to see you.

With a demeanor as if it did not matter, she rose and moved to the inner door. One sharp knock, a muffled response from within and she slid through the door, shutting it behind her.

His mind raged at the afront, How dare this civilian, this woman, treat me as if I was a commoner from....

Schmidts anger was interrupted by the secretaries return. A look of what might have been mistaken as respect had replaced the look of indifference she had before. Sturmbannführer Schnieder will see you now.

Marching smartly two steps into the office, stopping in rigid form, right arm raised the traditional Nazi salute, Heil Hitler!

Schnieder returned the salute halfheartedly and murmured an impatient Heil Hitler. Schnieder was much too anxious to hear the message to conform to Nazi tradition. With an excited manner he sat at his desk and gestured to a chair on his left for Schmidt.

Obersturmführer Schmidt. What news have you brought me? Schnieder asked expectantly.

Sir, the team we dispatched to Lwow has sent word that a young Jewish girl has been reported to be able to heal the sick.

Schnieder leaned forward expectantly. Do they have her in custody?

No sir. They were following your orders to search for religious artifacts. While questioning an elderly Jewish man of the whereabouts of any artifacts he told them of the young girl. They do not have an age or description, only the name of the hamlet she is from, Spokojny. I cannot locate it on a map, but the team reports that it is located southeast of Lwow. The man unfortunately died before they could get anything else from him. Schmidt hoped his distaste for the treatment of civilians like this did not show on his face or in his voice. Schnieders callous disregard for anyone not of the Aryan race was well known. He did not have to worry. Schnieder was focused on the girl.

Schnieder rose quickly from his desk and started pacing back and forth. We must find her! Can you imagine what we could do with that kind of power? He sat back down at his desk looking directly at Schmidt. We have lost a few men in the invasion of Poland. That is against an army on horseback! Most of Europe will be like that. However, we will eventually have to face England and Russia. Casualties will be high. Then of course there is the United States. That bunch of cowboys will be our toughest fight of all. Even in their weakened state, after beating Japan, we will be no match for them. (Schmidt, not being privy to such information could only sit and listen in amazement. The Fuhrer planned to take over the world!)

Schnieder continued as if Schmidt knew all that he was exposing. Every man and woman there have a gun and will use it. Too bad we could not convince the U.S. government to disarm their citizens as we and Russia have done. It would make our plans so much easier. Schnieder leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixing on the Nazi flag hanging on the wall. By harnessing this girls power to heal we could keep sending wave after wave of soldiers until we finally prevail. This is exactly what our leaders have us looking for! A glazed look had come over

Schnieders face as he finished talking.

Schmidt could hardly believe what he had just heard. Speaking slowly to keep his composure, Sir? Japan? They are not even in this.

Schnieder returned his gaze to Schmidt. Not yet. They are preparing as we speak. Japan will attack the United States from the west, expecting Germany to join them and attack from the east. Smirking, he continued. We will not be joining them. After America defeats Japan they will be weakened and by then we will have taken Europe and be in a position of greater strength. Then we will attack the Americans.

The Russians sir, are they not our allies?

Schnieder looked around as if to make sure no one else was listening. Looking back at Schmidt, he leaned toward him and lowered his voice in a conspiratorial tone. For now, yes. We have sufficiently stoked Stalins ego with what is needed to gain his assistance. When we are stronger, we will attack Russia and rid ourselves of them once and for all.

Schnieder straightened back up and resumed his normal voice. For now, send word to the Lwow team to advance to this hamlet, find the girl and await your arrival before capturing her. By no means are they to take the girl before you arrive! Just locate her.

Surprising Schmidt once again. My arrival?

Yes. I want you to personally escort the girl back here to me. Capture her and leave at once before the locals know what is happening. I want her to disappear without anyone knowing where she is. If for any reason you cannot return her here to me, then kill her. He calmly stated. We cannot have her falling into the hands of our enemies.

Shaken, trembling on the inside. Schmidt was aghast at the thought of killing a little girl. Fighting armed men is one thing. That is what he does, but children, civilians, no! His feelings must have been obvious.

Staring intently at Schmidt, Schnieder asked, Do you understand my orders Obersturmführer Schmidt?

Yes, sir I do! Schmidt replied with what he hoped was conviction.

Fine. See that you follow my orders exactly! After all, it is for the good of the Third Reich. How many men are on the Lwow team?

There are five, sir.

Good! Good! That should be enough men to be able to locate the girl. I should see you back here in about twenty days. Keep me informed of your progress. That is all. Dismissed.

Schmidt stood up sharply and saluted. Heil Hitler! A little less enthusiastically than when he had entered Schnieders office.

Schnieder waved toward the door as if he was shooing something away. Heil Hitler. Now go! Not a moment is to be wasted. Return her here to me!

Yes sir!

Schmidt marched from the office, oblivious of his surroundings. His mind was reeling from what he had just learned and had been ordered to do. He had risen to his current rank through hard work and dedication to his craft, war. He had trained his men to fight and to follow orders. To go forward in the face of danger, even if afraid. All for the glory of the Third Reich and the superior Aryan race!

Now this! They need a little girl. The leadership does not think we can win this war without these artifacts and special powers, and if I cannot bring her here to Schnieder, I am to execute her! An innocent little girl! For my sake and for hers I must deliver her alive and well here.

Schmidt arrived at his office, not remembering the walk there. Writing out a message to be sent to the Lwow team relaying Schnieders orders, he called for his secretary. Sturmscharführer[12] Horst Müller stepped into the office. A giant of a man Müller was. A full head taller than Schmidt. Müller was 200.6 cm (6 ft 7 inches) and 136 kg (300 lbs.). His presence filled the room. Loved and respected by the men as well as Schmidt. They were boyhood friends and had always been together.

Yes sir.

Schmidt handed Müller the message. Deliver this to communications to be delivered at once. Requisition an Enigma machine, then bring my car around front. You and I will need to prepare ourselves for a trip to Poland. We will need civilian clothing, rations, sleeping gear, and everything you can think of. We should plan on being gone for a month.

At once sir. When do we leave?

Annoyed and distracted by his thoughts on the orders he had received, Schmidt paused. He in no way wanted to rile the big man just yet, not until he had thought this through. More calmly he answered Müller. Today. We will pack and leave as soon as we can locate a hamlet by the name of Spokojny on the map. If we cannot locate it, I have directions given by the team that is headed there.

Müller answered as he was heading out of the door. Yes sir!

Schmidt paused in his preparations. His thoughts moved to the task he had been given. Müller and I have been through everything together, childhood, the Hitler Youth, joining the army. We dedicated our lives to the Nazi ideals, and never married. Just soldiers.... until now. After all these years together, I know exactly what Müller will think of our mission. Ever loyal, he will keep his thoughts to himself, but he will be dead set against every aspect of this. I must return her here alive! If I do not, I will lose Müller forever. Not to mention myself! As big and foreboding as Müller is, he has one soft spot. Children. Any children! I must include him in everything that Schnieder shared with me. With Müllers help, we can accomplish this so that all who are involved will be satisfied.

***

After Schmidt had left his office, Schnieder leaned back in his chair and imagined. "If they can find and return this girl to me, it will solidify my place within the Third Reich! My influence and power will be immense. I might even be able to push aside that little worm, Himmler. To have the ear of the Führer himself would be my crowning achievement and will advance my career in the SS. If Schmidt and his team cannot capture her, I will have Schmidt reduced to a camp cook.

Rising from his desk, Schnieder hurried to his secretary. "Set up