As Jeff Lewis crept through East Fork, he marvelled at how peaceful it felt. Nothing like the night he left. But even now there seemed to be an underlying current that made the town eerie. It was too quiet. How come so many stores are shut down? He sucked in his breath and snuck between two buildings through to the next street.
A domineering law-firm stood towering over the few straggling buildings surrounding it. Jeff stood staring at the structure for some time. There was a faint light on inside. That’s strange, I wonder if Dad sold the place before he died. Suddenly he noticed a man in a dark coat peering at him through a second-story window. As quickly as he was seen, the man disappeared. Jeff quickly crept back through the buildings. I wonder if the secret police know I am in East Fork? I sure don’t want to have a run-in with them again. I should hurry and find my contact for this evening’s meeting.
He found his way to a dark alley in a dumpy neighbourhood. He paused. Going down here will be safer than the street. Taking a deep breath, he plunged into the overgrown lane. Dry grass and weeds tangled around his feet. Old vehicles and trash were strewn across the way like a landfill.
Jeff picked his way up to a post with an address on it. Here it is. I wonder if anyone is home? The windows were all dark, and a few were shattered. I’m sure this is the right address! Lord, please protect me.
His knock on the door brought no response. The shed door is open. I wonder… He cautiously crept up to it and peeked inside. I feel like I am being watched. If I knew where the meeting is going to be held, I could go there myself.
A slight rustle in the bushes perked up his ears. He softly called out a greeting. “Mr. Edwards?”
More rustling noise, and then a figure appeared out of the brush.
“Sorry, Jeff, I couldn’t tell if it was you or not in the dark. Well, you don’t look much different after all these years!” His good friend from younger days declared.
“Neither do you Michael. Whatever happened to Mr. Edwards, though? You don’t live here now, do you?” Jeff queried.
Michael looked down for a moment before answering. “No…Mr. Edwards was taken, a few weeks ago. We had no way to inform you of the change, so I came over here to catch you. The meeting starts in twenty minutes, so we had better get going.”
Jeff stepped back into the alley behind Michael. He thought he heard a faint rustle in the grass beside the shed, but when he looked back, there was nothing. I hope that was just my imagination.
They made their way through the forest and down the river hills, to a large rock outcropping that formed a sort of cave in the hillside.
There were already quite a few people gathered. Michael first introduced Jeff to those who didn’t know him, and then Jeff stood up to speak.
“‘We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed…Persecuted, but not forsaken.’ Brothers and sisters, as Paul said, ‘tribulation worketh patience’. We know that when the government started clamping down on us, they in turn strengthened us. It woke us up from our slumber. I for one, was roused up to declare my faith in God, which I had always kept secret. My father turned against me, and eventually, he even cast me out! In fact he told me that I couldn’t ever come back to East Fork until he was dead. But through it all, God melded me into a vessel for his glory.”
All of a sudden from one of the trees emerged a man in a dark blue coat. Jeff was surprised. That looks like the man that was watching me earlier! Should I give the signal to flee? Wait! That looks like…it couldn’t be!
The man kept walking toward Jeff. There were tears in his eyes. Jeff stared at him for a second.
“Dad? Is that you? I was told you…” Jeff was wary of the man.
“Son, I… have lived a terrible life. I…” The man stopped, his face contorted with pain.
“I was told that you had died!” Jeff still didn’t know whether to trust him.
“I almost did. I got in trouble with the government, and they told me that if I didn’t give them your whereabouts, I would be killed. Son, I understand you now. They are ruthless. I am so sorry for my past mistakes. I…I would like to, to be saved. To become a Christian. Can you show me how?”
Arthur seemed so penitent. Jeff could not help but just fall on his shoulder and hug him.
“Dad, I would love to help you. Can we kneel down here?” Jeff asked.
They both knelt.
“Ok Dad, do you understand that you are a sinner and have violated God’s commandments?”
“I know I have, I am a terrible sinner, I want to accept Jesus as my Saviour!”
“Would you like to pray Dad?”
Ok, I’ll…try.” Arthur answered. “God, I don’t know how to say this, but I am sorry for all my sins, and my past. Please forgive me and come into my…”
Suddenly a division of secret patrols rushed out of the bush, and surrounded the clearing. Jeff jumped up and looked around. There was no escape. Everyone was being handcuffed.
Jeff was herded towards the main group. He cringed at the sight of Michael getting slashed across the face for helping an older woman. Lord, please forgive our captors for their cruelty.
He couldn’t see his dad in the mass. Lord, please help him stand strong. Please help me to be a faithful witness of you.
As they started in the direction of East Fork, he wondered where they would be taken. He had heard of a large prison complex being built in the area…
***
Clang! The gate behind them slammed shut. There was silence for some seconds. Arthur’s face was impassive. Jeff tried to think of what he could say.
“Well… in our present situation, we can be thankful to God that we are counted worthy to suffer for his name.”
There were murmurs of agreement in the crowd. Michael spoke up despite the blood still running down his face. “We can be ever so thankful. There is rejoicing in heaven over the lost soul saved!
Arthur looked down. “How are you all bearing this so quietly? Why aren’t you all angry and fighting back?”
Jeff looked at his dad with a smile on his face. “It is the natural thing when trials come, to get angry, but God has given us His Spirit which makes us calm in tribulation.”
“As Paul said, ‘For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.’” Michael spoke up.
The congregation began a song of praise to God. Jeff could see Arthur was visibly moved and beginning to weep.
Jeff didn’t know what to do. He had never seen his father cry before. Even at his mother’s funeral, Arthur had stood as stiff as a rock, the only emotion showing was a slight quiver in his chin. Now he was sobbing.
“I’m sorry! so…sorry…” Arthur bent down to the ground, his hands on his face.
Jeff rushed over to his dad. “What’s wrong dad?”
Arthur had a hard time talking “I…I motioned, I signalled the capture today. I am…I was a secret police member. I was commissioned to find you Jeff, and…and get rid of you. I have arrested countless religious extremists like you, but there was something about them I just couldn’t place… so, I decided to come try acting out a conversion experience, and then get captured so I could see how you all would respond!
Jeff could barely believe his father. Dad, you mean you betrayed me? Lord help me forgive! Lord!! Jeff’s emotions were all over the place. Part of him wanted to hate his dad. The other part knew he should forgive.
Arthur looked up at Jeff. “What I saw of you, though, is that you really have true peace, and confidence in God, even in persecution. I want that. I truly mean it. But will… will you all forgive me, even though this could result in, possibly…your deaths? Jeff…
Arthur fell back to the ground. He was weeping uncontrollably.
“Jeff…will…you…forgive me?”
Jeff fought within himself to forgive. Lord give me the strength to forgive. You have forgiven me, help me to forgive my dad.
“Dad, I forgive you. Please call on God! He can help you.”
Arthur brokenly started praying. “Lord Jesus, please, forgive me. I am so sorry for what I have done. I have been fighting against you! Please save me, and take over my life!”
The first rays of sun broke through the barred window. A new morning, and a new beginning. Thank you Lord. Jeff knew now, that his dad was ready to meet what came against him in the days ahead.
***
“Jeff Lewis. You are to come with me.”
The masked man abruptly grabbed Jeff and marched him up the steps. My turn! Lord help me stand firm until death brings me into your presence.
As they left the compound and set out into the deep bush, the executioner’s steps quickened. Stopping abruptly by a desolate road, he took off Jeff’s restraints.
The executioner handed Jeff a note, and motioned him to read.
“I had the unfortunate duty of executing your father even though I knew him. I had no other choice. But something he told me before the shot rang out, just stuck in my mind. He said that even though I could kill his body, I could not kill his soul. I could not bring myself to execute his only son, so I am freeing you. Please pray for me.”
Jeff couldn’t believe it! He looked up. The executioner was gone. He must have snuck away while I was reading. He was actually free!
Thank-you Lord for softening that man’s heart. Please protect him, and help him to seek You.
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