Sanctuary City

By Nathan Cummings

When things go wrong, especially when not of your own doing, people look for sanctuary. Ramon and his family had to flee a Central American country because of an evil deed by a gang member. The family had to flee the imminent danger and fled to Tucson, Arizona, a sanctuary city. Along the way, there were many dangers to be overcome from cartels, gang members, corrupt individuals, and corruption at the highest levels. God protected the family and ended the corruption. However, was the corruption truly ended?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 14, 2019
• ISBN: 9781645156512

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Sanctuary City

Nathan Cummings

Copyright © 2019 by Nathan Cummings

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 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

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Preface

And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them. And if the avenger of blood pursues after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unwittingly, and hated his not before time. And he shall dwell in that city before the congregation for judgment and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his city, and into his own house, unto the city from whence he fled. (Joshua 20: 4–6)

And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them, ye shall add forty and two cities. (Numbers 35:6)

Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. (Numbers 35:11)

These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel and the stranger and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. (Numbers 35:15)

And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he has fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of refuge, whither he has fled, and the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood. Because he should have remained in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest, the slayer shall return into the land of his possession. (Numbers 35:25–28)

Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. Moreover, ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but ye shall be surely put to death. (Numbers 35: 30–32)

Chapter 1

Teresa lived in a small village in Toro, a Central American country known for bullfighting and crime. There is not a person living who has not experienced the crime in some form. Many try to escape, only to return to their villages and live their lives as best as they can. The government and police turn a blind eye to the gangs.

Teresa and her husband Ramon live in a small village near the capital. Ramon is a carpenter who specialized in making furniture. He is very skilled, and his customers came from miles away to purchase his goods.

Teresa is a stay-at-home mother with a seven-year-old daughter Maria. Teresa is a very beautiful thirty-one-year-old with long shiny black hair. She is the heart and soul of the family and a very loving mother and wife. Maria is entering the second grade and is very lucky to have a school to go to. She has her mother’s beauty and the same shining black hair. Maria is the apple of Ramon’s eye.

Teresa usually goes to the market about ten blocks away around ten in the morning. She believed in feeding her fresh family produce and eating as well as they could afford. Her trip usually took two hours. She made stops along the way to talk to friends and cousins. She always had a smile on her face and laughed at all the gossip the women would say. Today would be different.

When Teresa left, Maria would help her father in the shop. She was a good helper, but Ramon insisted on her reading as many books as she could. She was becoming a very good reader in both Spanish and English. Both parents could speak both languages, and Maria was very fluent in both.

"Adios, mi amor," Teresa said as she left for the market.

Be safe and careful in your trip, Ramon answered her back.

"I love you, Mother. Te amo, Madre," Maria added. She wanted to show her mother how good she was becoming in both languages.

Teresa closed the door to the shop behind her as she left. It was a very sunny day and quite warm. The birds were singing, and children were playing in the dirt streets. It was just another ordinary day. There were not as many women to talk to today. They were all in their houses. Still, Teresa proceeded to the market with a song in her heart.

At the market, Teresa picked out some juicy tomatoes and green lettuce for the tacos she planned on making for dinner. She had the meat and shells already purchased and only had to get the one missing ingredient—sauce.

As she walked down the aisle in the store that contained the sauce, she noticed three young men in their early twenties watching her every move. They also had tattoos on their arms that indicated they were members of the notorious and feared gang, X-9. These were the most ruthless members of the criminal element in Toro. X-9 was spreading into the United States due to the very lax enforcement of immigration laws by former president O’Brian. They were everywhere the socialists would allow them to live—everywhere but in their neighborhoods.

Teresa paid for her groceries and began her ten-block walk back to the shop and her home. The three gang members left at the same time. They were picking up their pace as they got closer and closer to Teresa.

"Bomboncita. I bet you are a sweet-tasting candy. I want to take a bite!" the meanest looking one shouted at her.

Teresa began to walk faster. She was slowed down by the groceries. There were no other women to stop and help her.

Slow down, senorita. You are making it hard for us to keep up! the second X-9 member shouted. With this comment, Teresa started to run.

"Alto, stop!" the three gang members shouted. Teresa only ran faster. She dropped the groceries and went into a full sprint for the safety of her house. As they moved closer, Teresa screamed.

Ramon, help me! She was still too far away for Ramon to hear her cries for help.

The three caught her about one block from her home. As they grabbed her, they forced her into a space between two buildings. As they ripped off her top, Teresa screamed again. This time, Ramon heard her screams.

He grabbed his hammer as he ran out the door in the direction of the screams. It did not take him long to find the four. When he turned the corner, Ramon could hardly believe his eyes. One man was on top of his wife while a second was fondling her breasts. The third was watching the action instead of keeping guard.

Get your hands off of my wife and get off her! Ramon shouted.

The three just laughed. After all, Ramon was just a carpenter, and they were members of X-9. The three reached for their knives and made a lunged for Ramon.

When the first one came close, Ramon hit him on the head as he tried to cut Ramon. He fell to the ground with a thud. He was the one fondling Teresa. The second one was hit in the arm and dropped his knife as he approached Ramon. He fell back against a wall holding his arm and shoulder. As he struggled to his feet, he staggered out of the alley. The third gang member turned his back and ran back into the street. The lookout was utterly useless. The first gang member did not move. Ramon had killed him.

Teresa, are you all right? Ramon asked. Let me take you home. Put my shirt on as they have destroyed your blouse. As he took off his shirt, his strong athletic body was evident. It was apparent why he so easily handled the