Okey dokie! I have finished Chapter 5 (already) of the dramatic saga, Never Be Lost. I know, it is the fifth chapter and I am still just covering the introductory stuff, but from now on we should be delving into the meat of the story. Get ready, get set, go!
About an hour after sunset, Alex and Ben were just wrapping things up before they retired for the night.
Alex: Whew, yunno some say it’s hot in Kansas, but man, it’s hot out here!
They collapsed into two chairs on the deck for a breather.
Alex: Well, buddy, get ready for another day tomorrow.
Ben: What, you plan on sleeping?
Alex: Yeah, gee, what you gonna do?
Ben: Lay awake I guess, I mean, how can you sleep after what happened here?
Alex: Well, I wondered about that, too. But hauling that heavy equipment sure gave me a good reason. Please, Ben, don’t go on a mystery hunt. Don’t get distracted.
By this time, the boys were ready to head to the cabin, but approaching footsteps on the deck were quickly followed by Kip’s voice.
“Hey, Ben, you wanna talk just a minute?”
Ben glanced at Alex. “Sure, is right here good?”
Kip seated himself, “This will do. Yunno, I have been thinking an awful lot since we talked out there. Yunno…you want to find out more about what’s been going on down here over the past 20 or 30 years, don’t you?”
Ben: Yes sir.
Kip: Yeah, you mentioned Annie Marshall. There have been a whole lot of others. Mr. Decker talked about ‘em. You know, if you really want to know about this stuff, and not just experience the Amazon, not just see the present state of these Indians, but know why they are where they are, why missions are at where it’s at, then I think you’re on the right track. Thing is, I know that some people really want that information and can’t seem to get it. Well… I guess I just felt it right to tell you, that… if you want answers, here is the place to get them. God put you in this place, in this time, for a reason, and it might not be to save all the Indians in the Amazon…not exactly. But, take advantage of every moment, and don’t waste it. Redeem the time, son. The days are short, and the future, as they say, is in the hands of young people like you boys. It’s high time young men took their place to lead, to do what God’s called them to do. God calls His people to go and tell. Maybe you won’t spend half your lifetime in the jungles like my family did, but… don’t forget, that God has you where you are when you are for His glory. Don’t miss it. What has been happening around the world regarding the advancement of the gospel is so important, and yet often little known to the church in the free world, because they are so far away. Life is a vapor. Take that time to save a soul, huh?
Ben was speechless. Had Kip known what was going on inside his heart?
Kip spoke up again, “Hey, and while you’re at it, you might want to look more into that Indian’s story. One warning: Don’t be too straightforward, if you know what I mean.”
Ben quietly chuckled. Kip stood up to leave. “That’s all; just wanted to say. Good night, boys.” Both boys replied, “Good night, sir. Thank you.”
After a moment Ben stood up and followed Kip, “Say, Kip?”
Kip: Yeah?
Ben: Sir… I’ve just got to thank you. I mean, it was exactly what I needed to hear. I… I don’t know if you know what really has been going on inside me for months, and even my whole life….
Kip smiled and stretched his hand out to shake Ben’s. “It’s all right, son. I might not know, but we both know Who does, huh?”
Ben: Thank you, sir.
Kip: You are welcome. Get some good rest; you are gonna need it tomorrow.
And he walked away.
Ben stood on the deck for a moment. Then he looked up to the sky, with a heart so heavy, but it really felt a bit lighter since Kip’s talk. “Jesus. Father, Kip really doesn’t have any idea, but thank you for sending him. I look the same as everybody else on the outside, but inside there is so much turmoil… Do I even know what’s been holding me back? Jesus, be my strength. Help me to heed Kip’s advice, to follow You.”
Slowly, he turned back towards his and Alex’s cabin. Alex was by the door.
“Hey, man, first I say that thing about the mystery and then jungle man comes and says go ahead.” He chuckled quietly, then continued, “Well, just know, I won’t stop ya, buddy. Just remember what he said, and stay focused, eh?”
Ben: Gee, thanks, Alex. Maybe we can do this together.
Alex: Woo! Let’s get some sleep first.
However, as they had predicted, sleep did not come easily–not for any of them. As Lanie lay awake, she recollected how out of the blue, this Indian showed up carrying a small sick boy to the doctor. She remembered the baffled look on his face when Doctor Bentley tried to speak to him in the local tongue. Then when the doctor turned to Lanie and started giving instructions, the Indian spoke up, “Senor, I can speak.” Dr. Bentley and Lanie froze. Were they imagining something? Who was this? He was certainly not an ethnic Latin American. He was Indian, but not from around there. He spoke again, “This boy, his eyes, they are not good. Please look at him and see? What can be done for him?” Dr. Bentley decided now was not the time to quiz this man, but rather to take care of the boy. He examined him and Lanie helped. Finally, probably with uncertainty regarding the small boy’s condition, he let out a deep sigh and took off his glasses. He sent Lanie to get a medical book, and to tell Mr. Decker what happened. When she was done, she ran straight for the kitchen where her three friends were, to tell them the news. Then Ben marched out the door, with Alex on his heels. After that, business went as usual for Lanie, but she felt herself trembling a little– she wasn’t sure if it was excitement or nervousness. What was going on? And when they discovered the Indian had a Portuguese name… that was even weirder. Tonight, Lanie resolved to find out more.
Alex, too, lay awake in his bunk as the frogs and birds carried on their nightly symphony. Wow, he thought. He and Ben had known each other since he was six years old, and he had never seen Ben as riled up as he was when he heard about that Indian. “Just wait til he starts talking to him!” he thought. He prayed that nothing bad would happen. Who could know? Who in the world was this Indian guy? Did he run away as a child, get raised by wolves, and then stumble upon Rio de Janeiro one day? Hmmm, this is sounding rather typical. He smiled to himself as he thought, “Juao, huh? Should have been, ‘Mowgli.’ ”
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So here we go! This is Chapter 4, and… I have the next part ready, so, will hopefully be coming soon!