Wild Fire: The Lost Soul Series

By Rhonda Buchanan

Wild Fire is the second book from The Lost Soul series. Right off the heels of the first book, The Butch-a-Cans Are Touching Down on American Soil, and bouncing back and forth from one country to another. Diving back into a world that seems so foreign. It's not the two different countries that make them feel uncomfortable. It's the life-changing love from Christ. Jim always believed in God. However, this is a new realm for his wife, Rhonda. Wild Fire exposes and shows the vulnerabilities and concerns from a new believer's perspective. They travel back into the depths of the Nicaraguan landfill, all while bringing along the once elusive "t-shirt people." God's clearly protecting this couple as they continue to find themselves in the middle of chaos and danger, only to fully believe without a doubt, who is leading the way. Some would say they need protection, guidance, and this is likely so when Rhonda finds herself on the side of an empty Nicaraguan dirt road, in the middle of the night, with the Nicaraguan police threatening to take her translator to jail. It's as if this couple continues to walk straight into a lion's den, only to find a layer of protection shielding them. What many people would consider a coincidence or lucky break, the Buchanans know it's the love of Christ. They continue to rely on their faith and know it's God who has placed an armor of protection around them. If you are not sure about "church people" or "believers," you will be captivated by the transformation, as no questions seem to be off-limits with these two. You have probably had the exact same thoughts, questions, and you will find you are not alone. Rhonda has always been a thrill-seeker, looking for adventure at all times. Always looking for that next adrenaline rush. However, this is a rush she did not go looking for, and for once she becomes timid by the "church people," wondering how this all happened, yet not giving up. This journey will pull at your heartstrings, make you laugh, yet at the same time feel the seriousness of it all. If you have a long-standing relationship with Christ, be prepared to catch yourself wanting to reach out and (kindly) shake them to say, "No, it's not that way. You're only making it harder on yourself." Be prepared to be captivated as they travel into this new world-a world that has changed who they are for life. No going back, yet no idea what will happen as they travel on with nothing but faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781098026905

Rhonda Buchanan

Rhonda Dahl Buchanan is a professor of Spanish and director of Latin American and Latino Studies at the University of Louisville. Among her many translations is included Perla Suez’s The Entre Rios Trilogy: Three Novels (University of New Mexico Press).

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Wild Fire

The Lost Soul Series

Rhonda Buchanan

Copyright © 2020 by Rhonda Buchanan

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Dedicate to the life of Larry Wright. He did not get the opportunity to read this book. He passed away before it was released. He is home with the Lord. He will never be forgotten, always be missed. Jim and I will always be grateful to have had the honor to work alongside him and call him family. He is dearly missed. Larry and Donna Wright are the founders of World Missions Outreach.

You know it’s hard finding your way, even harder when you try to go at it alone. However, many people do, and will do. Life became much easier and meaningful knowing I had Jesus. I spent thirty-four years going at it alone, and I can tell you, I wish I would have known Jesus before. I can’t go back and change that, but I can move forward with him.

My journey with God started more than a decade ago. Only recently I wrote The Lost Soul.

It took many years before I sat down and wrote all the details, all the feelings, emotions, and the start of my rebirth. I have told my testimony thousands of times, and I get excited each time someone wants to hear it.

I could feel the change in my soul, my heart. As Jim and I returned back to the United States, walking through the airport, going to our temporary home, I had no doubts, no worries, no fears, or anxieties. I was on a mission. We had no plan, but we did have ideas and resources. We knew we would be returning to Nicaragua very soon. However, we never imagined what God had in store.

Not one minute was wasted, not intentionally—immediately scheduling meetings with random people, groups, and of course churches. Yes, I, the person who, just days prior from returning from Nicaragua, you know, the person who was terrified of what I called church people.

You see that’s the thing with our God, his love. All he asks of us is to trust, have faith, and he will do all the work. We just have to be bold and stay humble. I felt as if I have discovered my superpower, and through him it allowed me to share and give away everything I could.

The only thing that matters to me is God. Of course, my husband, but I fell in deep with God and surrounded myself with anything that may have been remotely about him. I had to share with others, and I did. We were on the fast track, and at each corner miracles began to unfold. We were on fire, and all the glory goes to God! I felt like God was going to use us, to start something big, a spirit that spread like wildfire. But we were still not sure what would happen and we wondered how God would use us.

I was this fresh sponge being emerged into water for the first time. I began soaking up as much information as I could. So many people were there to encourage and support our journey. Each time we tackled what appeared impossible, God would place the perfect person or group in our life for guidance and moral support.

At the same time, those who did not understand where we were coming from could not grasp our reasoning or decisions. I stopped living for myself, and only lived for God. I can’t describe the reactions from our business associates, accountants, friends, and our own family. Many of these people had good intentions and felt as if they needed to protect us. However, they could not understand any of the decisions we began to make. We did our best trying to explain that we were living for another reason, we were living for God. Unfortunately, just as I once felt, they could not understand it, and slowly we began to drift apart from people we have known for years. In saying that, it’s not because any one person was a bad person. We changed, and we began to take a different path.

A path we could not explain nor even map out. After a few months, we realized the change. We were no longer being invited to as many social gatherings as before, because now all we wanted to talk about was Jesus and for many we were considered as the buzzkill. Our hearts had changed, and we had fallen in love with our God.

I think most of our current friends at the time just assumed we were going through some sort of phase, or having a moment, and really believed it wouldn’t last and we would change back to the people we were before. However, that was far from what would happen. We indeed had a moment and we indeed changed, however it would be a permanent change and forever evolving!

Chapter 1

As I banged on the bathroom door, I began to talk through the door, Jim, Jim? Babe, are you in there?

Jim opened the door and said, Not anymore. What’s so urgent? I followed behind him as he continued walking.

So I need to tell you the schedule?

He looked at me and politely asked, Since when did you start making schedules?

I looked at him and said, Ha-ha, real funny, Mr. Butch-A-Can, pronouncing it the way everybody in Nicaragua did.

We had been home for about thirty-eight hours, and I had already scheduled four meetings with different churches. Now I just needed to tell my hubby this. He’s all clean shaven. He rubbed his face. He said, Wow, I forgot how awesome a shower feels! How much more I appreciate it and grateful to have it.

We were still adjusting from the trip as we returned home from Nicaragua. We just spent a fair amount of time in pure poverty. We are by no means wealthy, but we know we are beyond blessed and we are more aware and grateful for the things we have, such as transportation, a roof over our head, our family, and each other.

Jim looked over at me and asked, So what kind of meetings did you schedule? Are you talking about work meetings?

I looked at him and said, Well, not really.

He stared at me. Okay, then what kind of meetings are we talking about?

I said, Meetings with people, I guess you could say church folks.

His facial expressions changed. He gave that same look I have seen a thousand times—the what-did-you-get-us-into-now look. He asked, Rhonda, what do you mean by ‘church folks?’ I need a little more clarification. Are you talking like ‘Rescue Atlanta?’ Did you sign us up for something or a project there, and if so, what is it?

I glanced at him and said, Well, no, not Rescue Atlanta. I called several different churches and made appointments with um—here I was trying to remember the term they used—what are they called? It’s missionaries or something. I paused for a second trying to recall the exact title.

Jim stared at me waiting for me to answer. Suddenly I remembered and I said, Babe, I made appointments with mission directors.

Jim stared and then said, Uh-huh. He can’t tell if I am serious or not. He waited patiently for me to explain.

I replied, I am serious, I really did.

He didn’t believe me. I could tell by the way he asked the following question.

So you’re telling me you called random churches, just made appointments to meet with who again?

I quickly said, The mission directors.

He said, Okay, the mission directors, and we are going to meet with them? I nodded my head yes. He looked at me and said, You don’t even go to a church, but now you want to meet the staff? Do you even know what type of church or denomination you reached out to?

I hated when he did this, you know, asks all these questions. I blurted out, No, but does that really matter?

Jim stared at me and then states, Well, I am not sure, what exactly are our intentions when meeting with these people?

His face looked a little red, and he was running his hand through his thick grey hair, I didn’t know why he seemed so irritated. The man had been trying to get me in a church for almost an entire decade, I was now going! Not only to one but several in one week!

He should be happy, but his demeanor did not suggest so. He could be so confusing sometimes. I said the obvious, You know, to tell them about Nicaragua, our trip, try to bring awareness to the poverty, and talk about God.

Jim started to look uncomfortable. He appeared a little agitated.

The words eventually flowed from his mouth with a tidbit of sarcasm. So you have scheduled meetings, and are they actually confirmed?

I quickly answered, Yes, I mean, they don’t know why we want to meet, but I didn’t think that was important. I was just excited to actually book the meeting and get in the door. I actually was feeling proud of this and was sure he would be excited with this news. However, I didn’t think he was very thrilled of the idea.

I watched him, and I sensed he was frustrated. He then pretty much asked the exact same question as before, just in a different way.

Rhonda, so we are going to go to a church, by the way, not on a Sunday but during the week?

I replied, Yes.

He followed that question with another: One we have never visited?

I said, Yes

Once again, another question: Do we know anyone who attends, or are we just walking in blind, meeting with the mission director? He said it more like it’s a silly statement. It did sound silly now that he said it that way.

I looked over at him, grabbed a pair of socks lying beside me, and started putting them on.

As I put on one sock, I said, Yep, pretty much. He shook his head and walked out of the room. I put on my other sock, jumped off the bed, and followed him. I said, So, babe, our first meeting’s tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. We should be on time.

He snapped his head around and asked, You be on time? Did you just say that?

I said, Yes, I did.

He then began to plead with me, Rhonda, I am not really sure this is the best way. We didn’t really discuss this, and we don’t know these people. Never attended a Sunday service and now we are going to walk in the church for the first time, during the week, to tell them about Nicaragua.

I looked at him and said, Yep that’s pretty much the plan.

He shook his head and then asked, "Well, what type of church is this?

I said, Um, I think it’s a Pentecostal church.

Jim started laughing at me. He was starting to get under my skin. I was being serious, and he found humor in all this. After he recovered from his laughter session, he asked, Do you even know what that means?

I said, Well, no, but I don’t know why that even matters. We are all God’s children. Why does it matter what type or label? I mean, if God worried so much about labels, then I don’t think he would have talked to me. He chose one of the most hard-headed people I know [myself], and I didn’t have a label, quite honestly, I don’t want one. I want to share God’s love with everybody and anyone who will listen.

I glanced out the window, then back to Jim. Now I was the one getting frustrated, and before I knew it, I had both of my hands on my hips and I was staring at him as if he was the one losing his mind, not me. I huffed and firmly said, Furthermore, you have been trying to get me to go to a church for almost ten years, a full decade. Here I am, not only agreeing to go, but have arranged for us to visit several in one week, and you want to get upset about it? You can’t have it both ways.

He was speechless. Yes, Jim was speechless. Not like him.

He calmly said, Babe, you are right, I can’t have it both ways, but there has to be some sort of happy medium here, a discussion, a game plan? You can’t just drop this on me with, what, one day notice.

I knew he’s right in theory, but I couldn’t do anything about that, so I told him so. You know what, Jim, you are right, but I can’t change that now. You do have the choice to not go, but if you don’t go, honestly, I am going to be mad at you. Once I said those words, I immediately knew that’s not playing fair and I have no right to actually get upset with him. However, this was so important to me and I had never really done this before, so I was struggling here. I needed his help, and I didn’t know how to ask for it.

He started laughing. Rhonda, is this a joke? Are you serious right now?

I wanted to ask him why are you making this so difficult? but instead I asked, So are you going with me?

He walked over to me, and I was not sure what he’s about to say, but I still had my hands on my hips and I was not backing down until I get an answer.

Babe, of course I am going to go with you, we are going to do this together. I got so excited I wrapped my arms around him and said, You are a very wise man.

He kissed me, then he suggested I look up the Pentecostal’s beliefs. I had no clue what he meant by this, and he knew it. He grinned and said, You do know at one time or another the Pentecostal church believed women should not wear makeup. It may have changed, but maybe you should consider not wearing any makeup.

I turned my head, looked at him, and asked, What?

He said, Yes, you don’t want to offend anyone, do you?

I stared at him. I wondered if he was joking.

I realized he was not. I looked at him for a minute and replied, I am sorry, but I am wearing my makeup. I am going to be saying the same thing with or without it. So I don’t know why it makes a difference. I had makeup on when God talked to me.

He said, ‘Suit yourself.’"

I was starting to wonder if he was serious. I was not a girly girl, but I would like to have my face on when leaving the house. Maybe I would go light on the makeup, just in case he was serious. It can’t be this complicated.

He interrupted my thoughts. "So what other churches have you signed us up for?

I was dying to hear this!

I threw a pen at him and said, Laugh now, but just so you know, all four, yes, four meetings are all this week.

He rolled his eyes then laughed. I didn’t know why he’s laughing, but guess I would figure it out soon enough. As I turned around, I whispered, God, will you please explain this to him, I don’t think he gets it. I walked into our bedroom, and I couldn’t wait to talk to people and tell them about the mission house. I couldn’t wait to share God’s love. Well, I was not sure how to do that part yet, I had a lot to learn. Just then I realized I needed to start learning as much as I could. I turned around and walked back into the living room. I began going through different bookshelves, drawers, tables. As I was doing so, Jim was sitting at the kitchen bar, talking on the phone. He turned around and looked at me, I guess to see what I am doing.

After about ten minutes of destroying the living room, and the kitchen area, all while zooming around Jim, he finally motioned to me, using his hands.

What are you doing?

I mouthed the words looking for something. He tried to concentrate on his conversation. I could tell it’s work-related because I heard him talking about recycling. I walked over to the bar area where he’s sitting and tried to place my body directly in front of him so he could see me. He turned the other direction. If I didn’t know better, I was pretty sure he did that on purpose. I ran around the counter to the other side and stood in front of him.

He was now listening to whoever was on the other line. I mouthed, Do you know where you put your Bible?

He stared at me and had no clue what I had just said. He began talking to the person on other the line. I then tried to use sign language, but I didn’t even know the sign for a Bible, so I spelled it out with my hands. Jim just looked at me and had