“I prayed it would be this year, but don’t give up hope yet, son. God knows what we need better than we do, and He always supplies it in His perfect timing. Right?” He put an arm around Ken’s shoulder.
“Right. What can I do here?”
“If you can take over, we might be able to get the rafters up before the men leave for the day. I need to look at the washing machine for your mother. It stopped in the middle of a load while you were out.”
“Sure thing.” It will keep me so busy I won’t have time to dwell on my disappointment.
CHAPTER 5
Natalie, Bobbi, and Jenna walked to breakfast the following morning. Suddenly Jenna groaned. Natalie and Bobbi gave her puzzled looks. “I can’t believe this is our last full day on the ship. It’s flown by.”
“I agree.” Natalie sighed. “But I’m eager to get back to real life and make some changes based on what God’s been teaching me this week. Who knew I’d have to come on a cruise to get closer to God?”
Bobbi grinned. “God did. What do you two plan to do today?”
“I want to get in the pool this morning.” Nat gave a mock shiver. “It might be too cool by the evening when we’re approaching the U.S. again.”
“Great call. I’ll join you. How about you, Mom?”
Bobbi shook her head, making her curls bounce. “I have a book I haven’t finished, so today’s the day.”
“Why don’t we find chairs around the pool, so you can join us later, Bobbi.”
“Sounds like a plan. Maybe we can even eat lunch out on the deck.”
“I love it.” Jenna smiled.
After breakfast, they all dressed in their swimsuits and cover-ups then found three chairs together on the deck. Jenna and Natalie swam and even went down the slide a few times before climbing out to sit beside Bobbi.
While Jenna went to get some ice cream, Natalie pondered what she wanted to say to Ken. Could she share something as intimate as what God showed her yesterday? She’d barely touched the surface with Jenna and her mom last night at supper. It was all so fresh, she didn’t quite understand it herself. But she was certain God was calling her to walk closer with Him in her identity as His child and to trust Him to help her release the fear that had bound her ever since she and her mom were trapped in a creek when she was five. Her own dad had saved them, and now she had to grow in her trust that her Heavenly Father would always save her, too.
She would wait to write again when she was home. By then, she could gather her thoughts. She trusted Ken to understand them.
Dear Ken, I hope you and everyone else at the mission are well, especially your parents. It was a pleasant surprise that this trip brought me back to your compound. I came on this cruise not knowing why, except to have a good time with other Christians and get a little sun before heading back to winter and law school. Yesterday I spent the day alone in my room with God. He showed me so much at SonShine.
He’s continuing to teach me how to live life with Him and wait on Him for direction in the decisions I need to make in the coming weeks and months.
Please pray for me to be willing to follow wherever He leads. He also showed me I need to let go of fear. Please let me know how I can pray for you and your family. Waiting on Him with expectancy, Nat
Ken re-read his letter from Natalie then sat down and answered it so he could mail his reply while in town today.
Dear Nat, I was so happy to receive this second letter from you. Your first one, mailed from Grand Cayman, arrived in three days, but this one took almost two weeks. Everyone is fine here, and the progress on the mission guesthouse you saw us building has it now under roof.
God is teaching us both to wait on Him and His timing. I had been accepted to a university in the States to finish my Master’s in Intercultural Studies. For several years, I’ve been taking online classes, but I need a scholarship to take the remainder on campus. They informed me there isn’t any more scholarship money this year, so my master’s will have to wait. I have determined to do as you said and wait with expectancy on where He leads now.
Thank you for sharing your fear with me, and I will pray for Him to show you that you can always trust your Heavenly Father. Your friend, Ken He debated about changing the ending to something more personal, but it might not be appropriate. Only God knew if their paths would ever cross again. He placed the letter in the addressed envelope as he walked into the kitchen.
“Hey, Mom, is your grocery list ready?”
She glanced over her shoulder at him from the sink. “It’s on the table.” “Thanks. Anything else you need while I’m in town?”
“Stop by the post office if it’s not too much trouble.” She winked. “If you insist.” He placed a kiss on her cheek.
As he drove the Rover into Kingston, Ken mentally made a list of the
things they needed for the guesthouse. That would be his last stop, but no contest for which would be his first. He entered the post office and couldn’t miss the grin on the postmaster’s face.
“Hey, mon, why you be here so soon again?”
“Mom and Dad needed some things, so I thought I’d stop by and see you.” “Sure ting. You no want dis letter den?” He waved a short envelope. Ken reached over the counter and snatched the letter. “Thanks. Anything
else for us?” His friend handed him a bundle of mail banded together. “And some for your mada and fada.”
“Thanks, mon.” Ken waved as he left, whistling his happiness. When he reached his vehicle, he opened the two-page letter from Nat and hungrily scanned the lines of her handwriting, smiling at her report of helping people at the free law clinic where she volunteered. He related to her complaint about not liking to be stuck in front of a computer instead of being face to face with people, and wished he could talk face to face with her instead of reading her thoughts from a sheet of paper.
The letter mentioned she’d been dating a fellow law student but she’d broken it off when she learned their values differed. Ken’s teeth clenched at the thought of her dating someone like that. Should he write and ask her to go steady with him…or whatever they called it now?
Farther down the page, her request for prayer in seeking a specialty tugged at his heart. He hoped she knew he already prayed for that every day. Her description of wanting sun after all the snow in Kentucky produced a chuckle. Would it be nice to bottle up some Jamaican sunshine and send it to her? Or, better yet, deliver it in person?
With her letter in his pocket, he was ready to purchase groceries and other supplies before heading back. He loved what he did and knew that God had prepared him for the mission field by giving him the chance to grow up on the ministry compound and learn from his mom and dad. He prayed for God to show Nat what He wanted her to do. Would it be something she could do in Jamaica, too? Would she be willing to move there if it was where God called her?
Natalie drew in a deep breath of air as she passed some fragrant dogwoods on the way to the Law Library. Spring had finally arrived in Kentucky, lifting her spirits.
She was certain another guy from church she’d been dating wasn’t the one for her. Was Ken? His rare calls and frequent letters and emails had become the highlights of her week. They’d been apart for years except for the day she spent at Sonshine Orphanage in January. But, from his letters and her past experiences with him, she’d seen his heart for God and His children.
Could God use us better together than apart?
From where had that question come? Her grandmother had shared advice when Nat started dating. She’d written those words on the back of her photo to Pappaw when they dated in college, and they were still serving Him together almost fifty years later.
Thank You, God, for reminding me of Mimi’s words. Please help me to marry the person You know is best for me—the one with whom I can serve You better together than apart.
How could she use a law degree from Kentucky in Jamaica? She wasn’t sure, but was certain God could bring it to pass if it were in His pla
ns. As she entered the library, she shot up a prayer for God to guide as she chose a topic for her final term paper for her International Law class.
Two hours later she’d read about international laws on marriage, divorce, property, and banking, but none of them interested her. Weary and blearyeyed, she wanted to quit, but something nudged her to continue, so she did.
Education intrigued her, but how could she narrow the broad topic down? She scrolled farther until she came to a new heading—International Adoption Laws. Her heart squeezed. That’s it! Why hadn’t she thought of it before now?
Your heart wasn’t ready until now, My child.
The words He spoke to her inner being rang true. Before the trip, so many other things competed for her attention and her heart. Through her experiences on the cruise and the letters she and Ken had shared, she now sought to live a life with God in every part of it.
Images of the babies she’d rocked in Jamaica and all the other children at the SonShine orphanage came to mind. She could make a difference in their lives and give purpose to her own—God’s purpose for all of them. After printing the pages she’d need, Natalie paid, then floated out the door like she was walking in Air Jordans. She would go home and call Ken later. They couldn’t afford to call all the time, but this was too good to wait to share.
Ken sat in his bedroom in front of his computer, thinking about emailing Nat. His cell phone rang, and his pulse accelerated at the sight of her number on the screen.
“Hey, Nat. What’s the big occasion? Did you ace that test on financial law?”
“Better than that.”
“Really? Are you flying down here tomorrow?”
She chuckled. “I wish, but it’s almost as good.” She paused then heaved a big breath. “God showed me today how I could use my law degree in Jamaica.”
His heart climbed into his throat, and he swallowed. “How’s that?”
“Did you know there are international adoption lawyers? I can spend the next year learning about all the different laws in the U.S. and other countries, especially in the Caribbean, and Jamaica in particular. I might have to travel some, but…” A nervous laugh came across the line. “Sorry, I’m so excited I’m rambling.”
“I like the sound of your rambling, especially the words. This would be great. Several adoptions fell through at the last minute this past year when all the regulations weren’t completed on time. Multiply that by all the orphanages in Jamaica, and you’ll have more than a full time job.”
“Please ask your parents for their opinion, and I’ll check with my advisor in the morning. She knows I’ve been searching for an area to specialize in, and I have a whole year to do the work. I can’t think of any more fulfilling way to use my law degree than to help families who are eager to adopt and especially help the children who need a family.”
“I agree. I love the verse in Psalm 68 that says, ‘God sets the lonely in families.’”
“I love that verse, too.”
“How did this all come together?”
“We’ve both been praying for God to lead us, and I was trusting God to work it all out when something my Mimi told me a few years ago popped into my head.”
“What was it?” He held his breath.
“It’s pretty personal to share over the phone, but I’ll tell you in person when the time is right.”
“I can live with that, as long as it means you’ll be coming to Jamaica soon.”
“I wish you were coming to the States even sooner.”
“Me, too, and we’ll keep praying. In fact, let’s pray now. Dear Father, we thank You for this answer to prayer for the direction You’re leading Nat in for her specialty. Please continue to go before us and guide us every step of the way.”
Natalie continued, “And, Lord, please make a way for Ken to finish his degree in the States if it’s Your perfect will. We trust You and leave that in Your hands also. In the mighty name of Jesus we pray. Amen.”
“Amen.” He cleared his throat. “I’ll go talk to Mom and Dad about this. I’m sure they’ll be excited. I’ll write you tomorrow.”
“Ditto, and, tell your parents hi from me.”
As he hung up, a wave of sadness enveloped him. What if Natalie moved to Jamaica in a year, and then he received a scholarship to the States? What if he had to choose between being with her and completing his degree?
God, please help me trust You even when I don’t understand. No turning back.
CHAPTER 6
Natalie wanted to fly to Jamaica to see Ken as soon as school was out, but being knee-deep in research books and papers on international adoption kept her grounded. The project took much longer than she’d thought, so her teacher agreed to give her an incomplete as long as she finished before the first summer term ended. She had one month to complete her paper, so she was working late again, surrounded by books and papers spread all over her living room furniture.
Not how she’d planned to spend her summer, but this was too important to do halfway. Her parents had promised to travel to Jamaica with her over the Independence Day holiday, so they could meet Ken and his family. She and Ken had never discussed any serious plans about their relationship, but she was falling in love with him long distance. Together they’d decided for both families to meet before things did become more serious.
When the phone rang at almost ten o’clock, she scrambled to search for it under a pile of papers on her desk. “Hello?”
“Nat, it’s Ken. I hope it’s not too late, but my uncle J.T. just called me.”
Her mind drew a blank. Why would he be phoning her to say his uncle had called him? “Is everything all right?”
“It’s better than all right.” He paused. “He’s going to pay my way to Asbury Seminary this fall.”
“To finish your degree?”
“Yes.” His excitement crackled over the line.
Joy filled her. “That’s wonderful.”
“I agree, but I have a question to ask you.”
Bewildered, she gulped. Over the phone?
“Asbury has two campuses where I can finish my Master of Arts degree. One is in Florida, and the other in Wilmore, Kentucky. I wanted your input on which one to choose.”
He’s asking me to decide? “I would pick Florida, but I hope you will choose Kentucky. Did you know Wilmore is less than thirty minutes from my apartment?”
Ken laughed. “No, but my uncle did mention it was near Lexington.”
Tears filled her eyes. “It’s what we’ve been praying for, so why am I so surprised?”
“Exactly. It’s like the verse in Ephesians 3 that says God has given us ‘immeasurably more than all we could ask or imagine.’”
“How true.” She wiped her eyes. “What did your parents say?”
“They were in on the plan. My dad called his brother a few weeks ago to see if he had any ideas to help me get to school this year, and he said his business had a stellar year, so he’d be glad to send me. I need to finish everything possible here before I leave in two months to fly to Kentucky. I hope you and your parents will still come next month, so they can meet my folks.”
“We’re looking forward to it. I just have to finish my paper before then.”
“I’ll let you get back to it. Remember, I’ll see you here in July, and in Kentucky in August. Bye for now.”
“Bye.” She glanced at the clock as she sank to her knees on the floor. Only five minutes had passed, but her world had turned on its axis, and her head was spinning. She needed to call her parents and Jenna, but first she wanted to thank the One who’d answered their prayers beyond her wildest dreams.
Natalie turned in her paper a week early so was catching up on some things while watching a little of the news. One of her college friends had mentioned last night about a storm brewing in the Caribbean. The announcer said something about Jamaica, so she turned up the volume.
“A category two hurricane is heading for the island of Jamaica. Winds are increasing, an
d they expect it to reach landfall near Kingston by this evening, then hit Cuba the following day.”
Her cell phone rang with her mom’s name on the screen. Natalie snatched it up. “Hi, Mom.”
“Have you heard the news, dear?”
“Yes, just now. Channel 27 said a hurricane is expected to hit Kingston by tonight.”
“Channel 36 said the same thing.”
Natalie rubbed her temples, trying to fight off a headache.“What are we going to do, Mom?”
“Pray and keep an eye on things. We may have to postpone or delay our trip.”
“I want to call Ken, but I’m sure he’s extra busy now with all the storm preparations.”
“Why don’t you call his mom to see what she knows?”
“Great idea.”
Natalie dialed the house phone at the mission. It was noon in Kentucky, so would be eleven in the morning in Jamaica. Ken’s Mom would probably be inside. “Hello?” Static distorted Mrs. Worth’s voice.
“Hello, Mrs. Worth. It’s Natalie. We wanted to check on you all because of this storm coming.”
“Hi, Natalie, the men are working outside trying to batten down the hatches. I’m collecting water in jugs, the tub, and in sinks. The latest reports have the storm turning to the east, so it may not be as bad as predicted.” Interference swallowed up some of her words. “…keep praying.”
“We will. Tell Ken I’ll try to call again tomorrow.”
The line went dead.
Natalie relayed the call to her mother then called her prayer chain at church for additional prayers before sinking to the floor and crying out to God. “Lord, I feel so out of control in this situation, but I know You are in control. Guard our hearts, Lord, and keep our trust in You. Please protect all those in the storm’s path. I will praise You in the midst of the storm.” She quieted her heart and let His love wash over her.
A still small voice spoke to her heart. I am with you and with all those in the storm. Trust Me.
Trusting Him, she stood, then went to the bedroom to pack for her trip to Jamaica, trusting it would come to pass.
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