Collision

by Stefne Miller

  From: UgandaKei

  Date: June 25th, 2008

  Dear Choice Future Hottie Husband,

  I’m here! The trip went smoothly. The drive was fine.

  I gave everyone our news as soon as I arrived at the Mission House. Everyone is thrilled, jubilant actually. They think my ring is the most beautiful they’ve ever seen. Just wait until they see the one I left with you!

  My mom is already going batty with wedding plans. Once we get through Gregory’s wedding on Sunday, we’re going to start planning ours. That is, of course, unless you’ve changed your mind, which I certainly hope you haven’t.

  I’m leaving in a matter of hours for Sudan. Can you believe it? I’m finally going North! Maybe I’ll get to see those walking zombies we’ve heard so much about. I wonder if they’d be opposed to getting their pictures taken? *snicker*

  I so, so, so wish you were here to take this trip with me. I would have loved you to be with me the first time I saw Sudan, just like you were with me the first time I saw Italy, the first time I saw Ireland, the first time I saw Greece, the first time I saw France… or England…or Germany…or Los Angeles…or New York City…or just about anything outside of Gulu, Asheville, and the London Heathrow Airport—or my all-time favorite, the first time I slept in the rain, under the stars on our mountaintop in Asheville. I think I’ve always loved rain since then.

  Geez. Now that I write that, I have to wonder if I had a life before you.

  I did have a life, I suppose. But it certainly wasn’t as perfect as it is now that you’re in it.

  “He’s at home.” I actually said those words yesterday to someone when they asked me where you were. It literally popped out without me even thinking about it. Funny. I’ve always thought of Gulu as home, and now, here I am, calling wherever you are home.

  We live out of nothing but suitcases when we’re together, but for me, it’s home. I like that. No. Actually, I love it. It explains the old saying, “Home is where the heart is,” and my heart is most certainly with you, now and forever. I’m certain of it.

  It all made me think back to a conversation we had the day I found out that my new pal Cabot was the Cab Stone. I told you that I didn’t think I’d ever survive in your world. I suppose I was wrong. I think I’ve come to realize that I can pretty much survive anything as long as you’re right there with me. Like we’ve always said, we’re a brilliant team, you and I.

  I think back to those early days and those conversations, and I’m awed. You’ve come so far, grown so much in terms of knowing who you are and why God placed you on this earth. You’re here for more than just to love me, although you do that extremely well.

  You have a gift. It’s not just your looks or that you’re the Choice Male Hottie or your absolutely magical personality. It’s your love of others. It’s your desire to see them happy and your need to make their lives easier and ease their pain. I can’t wait to sit back and see all that you do to help the people of the world. I think it will be amazing, and I know that when the time comes and you get to enter the pearly gates of heaven, the Lord’s going to say, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Well done.” Knowing that makes me smile and prance.

  Yes, always know that as I watch you doing what it is you love most, I’m prancing.

  Oh, King of Glory!

  I love you! We’ll be together soon!

  The future Mrs. Choice Male Hottie,

  Kei

  I set the book down next to her ring and let myself cry as much and as hard as I needed to. There was nobody around. And even if there had been, I wouldn’t have been able to stop myself.

  After God only knows how much time had passed and I could finally see through the watery haze that covered my eyes, I picked up the book and flipped through its pages. I spotted my copy of the calendar that Kei and I had scheduled our life together on.

  I read what was written over the next few days. It was in Kei’s handwriting. In today’s box, she’d written, “Movie wraps.” In tomorrow’s box, she’d written, “Cabot leaves for Uganda!”

  C H A P T E R

  40

  The jeep honked its welcome. It was only a few seconds before the large gate swung open and then only a few seconds more before the children ran, laughing and smiling, toward the car.

  I climbed out and let the children smother me in affection. It felt like an emotional balm or something strange like that, all the pain and grief of Kei’s loss being soothed by the joy of the children she loved so much.

  I played with them, hugged each one, and then stood. Just as I did, a small bundle of energy toddled her way out of the house and in my direction. She wore the brightest smile I’d ever seen.

  It was Innocent. I’d know her face anywhere. I’d stared at it in pictures almost every day I wasn’t with her in person.

  I walked to her, knelt down, and held out my hand. She looked at it, her brow crumpled, and then looked up at me for a brief second before running into me and wrapping her arms around my neck.

  As I scooped her up and stood, it was at that moment that I found it, my true purpose. It swept over me like a tidal wave, as did all the emotion I’d felt since the day I met Kei.

  I realized I was exactly where I belonged.

  I was home, and Kei was prancing.

  FAVOR OF GOD

  MINISTRIES

  Favor of God Ministries was Stefne Miller’s host during her mission trip to Gulu, Uganda, in November 2007. In Collision, the majority of Cabot’s thoughts, experiences, and e-mails home during his time in Africa were taken directly from Stefne’s journal of her time there.

  It was during her ten days with this wonderful organization that Stefne and her traveling group had the opportunity to pray with patients in hospitals, worship with and minister to prisoners, take part in various ministry opportunities at several of Northern Uganda’s IDP camps, and her favorite, spend time at the House of Hope children’s home.

  During her time with FOG, she was also walked the land that was later to be used to build a Bible College and children’s village (like the ones mentioned in this novel).

  The work of Favor of God Ministries is vital to the spiritual health of the war-torn area. They strive to see revival in all areas of life—spiritual, physical, social, emotional, economic, academic, and moral. Their goal is to continue to reach out throughout northern Uganda and in the neighboring countries of southern Sudan and D.R. Congo, where the LRA are very active and causing unimaginable devastation.

  For more information about and/or to make a donation to this wonderful organization, please visit:

  www.favorofgod.org