Society of the L.A.M.B.

by DuCharme, Judy;

  “Mom, Dad? Is it really you?” She looked around as if waiting for someone else to assure her that these were indeed her parents.

  “It’s us,” her mother said with that same gentle voice that everyone had heard from Lily. She held open her arms, and in an instant, Lily was wrapped in them.

  “I thought you were dead.” Lily sobbed.

  Nathan wiped stinging tears from his eyes, remembering the people killed the day before. He knew how easily it could have been the Fischers.

  Grandfather ushered them all into the kitchen. There on the red gingham tablecloth were bowls of soup, more crackers, and steaming cups of tea.

  “I have cheese as well, but I don’t want you to eat more than your system can handle yet. It may take a few days for you to be able to handle a regular diet.”

  “This is wonderful, so much more than we usually got in prison. And it smells marvelous. Thank you. Thank you.”

  “And we smell just awful, I’m sure.” Mr. Fischer looked at Grandfather. “Are you certain you want us to sit down and eat before we clean up?”

  “You need food. Sit and enjoy your family. You are totally welcome here.” Grandfather embraced both of them and then held chairs for them to sit at the table.

  The Fischers did not eat much, as their stomachs were so shrunk from near starvation. No one else ate because they had eaten earlier. Upon satisfying their initial need of food, the Fischers gratefully accepted the gift of time in Grandfather’s big old-fashioned tub, complete with Grandmother’s lavender soap, fluffy towels, and clean clothes laid out for them by their children. Afterwards, the four Fischers curled up together on the couch in Grandfather’s big living room.

  “Mom, you are so thin and so bruised. It makes me want to cry.” Lily held her mom’s hand close to her heart. “I missed you so much, and they would beat Timmy if I acted strong. It was so hard.”

  “I’m so sorry,” whispered Nathan.

  Lily’s eyes got big. “Nathan, I’ve already forgotten it was you.”

  “We prayed, your father and I, for you to be strong in the power of Jajireh’s might, for those who know Him are strong and do exploits.”

  Timmy sat hunched up against his dad, looking more content than he’d been in a long while.

  Mr. Fischer held Timmy close. “Whenever we got discouraged, your mom and I would remember in the Book of Songs, ‘Why are you cast down, oh my soul, and why are you disquieted within me? Hope in Jajireh, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance.’”

  “And from that same song, we received help. ‘King Glory will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me.’ We survived well, kids. Our bodies will recover. No need to worry.”

  “Forgive me for asking,” interrupted Nathan, “but I’m pretty new at this. What does ‘cast down’ mean?”

  “Great question,” replied Mr. Fischer. “It’s talking about sheep. If they settle in a comfortable little hollow in the ground, they can roll over onto their backs. Because of the location of their center of gravity, it’s not possible for them to aright themselves. That is called a ‘cast’ position. Of course, they’re then vulnerable to outside attack. Fluids and gases build up within them that can kill them as well. They need the shepherd to aright them. But this song tells us how our Great Shepherd, King Glory, sets us back on our feet. It is in praise. As we praise King Glory, we push away the darkness and get ourselves back in a good position for life.”

  Questions, answers, and hugs continued until each one headed off to bed.

  * * *

  In the morning, while everyone still rejoiced over Lily and Timmy’s reunion with their parents, Grandfather pulled Josiah and Zach aside to the screened-in porch. He placed his strong gnarled hands on their shoulders. “Boys, we need another boat. We lost a good one in the boat crash. We’re going to have more rescues, and we can’t just go through the woods. We need more avenues of travel. I’ve been praying, and I feel you two need to go get one.” He laughed. “I keep asking Jajireh for direction and wisdom as to what kind and how we would pay for it. And how we can get one without drawing attention, since they might know the watcher boat was chasing a LAMBer boat. Drew and Jacob don’t think they reported it when they crashed into you because it all happened so fast. However, they’re not totally sure.”

  Josiah and Zach grinned at each other. “We’re game, Grandfather.”

  Zach added, “So what is the wisdom you have on it?”

  “That’s just it.” Grandfather sighed deeply. “All I have is that you two need to go, and I have no answer for all the other questions.”

  “Remember, sir, my parents owned a marina. I’ll be able to recognize a decent boat and whether it’s working correctly.”

  “I know, son. But I have no way to pay for it. I’m pretty sure we’re not supposed to steal it. I can’t imagine anyone just giving us one or you finding one abandoned, but I guess Jajireh has a plan.”

  “Grandfather, you have taught us well. We will pray and shout and follow the Voice within. We have seen and heard miraculous happenings and will trust that Jajireh will direct us as we go.”

  “Oh my, such adventures we’ve all had.” Grandfather ruffled his hair. “You’re right. I could never have figured out where the prison was. That was revealed to Nathan, in line with the purposes Jajireh had for him. And Timmy’s Leviathan.” Grandfather paused, pulling his lips into several contortions. “Perhaps we should let the Leviathan be our means of transportation. That would be interesting.” He eyed Zach and Josiah. “What do you think?”

  Zach turned his head, regarding Grandfather out of the corner of his eyes. “That would be interesting, but…”

  “But what does your spirit tell you, Grandfather?” Josiah finished the question. “Didn’t you sense that we needed a boat?”

  “You’re right. Yes, yes, that’s what started all this. I guess I’m just a kid at heart, like Timmy.”

  “Let’s pray.” The three men took each other’s hands, standing in a small circle.

  “O Great Jajireh,” Josiah prayed, “what marvelous events have taken place at Your direction. We praise You and thank You. Give us direction and wisdom now, once more, as we venture out to find a boat to replace the one lost in the bay. You know where it is. You know the size we need, the horsepower, and the make. We will listen to the Voice within and shout Your provision. Thank You, King Glory, for directing our every step.”

  “I thank You, Jajireh, that You have a great adventure for us and that every step is anointed by You.” Zach let go of Josiah’s and Grandfather’s hands and raised his hands toward the ceiling. “We will have great success because this is Your plan. Direct us to people who need to be restored as well, or LAMBers who need rescuing. Bless us, King Glory.”

  Grandfather and Josiah also raised their hands in praise. Grandfather’s voice choked. “Thank You, King Glory, for these young men. Take care of them and guide them to Your provision. They hear You, and for that I am forever grateful. I trust them to You, and we trust You to provide a boat for us. Thank You.”

  “Yes, thank You!” said a multitude of voices around them.

  The three, startled, opened their eyes.

  The entire group at Grandfather’s now stood on the screened-in porch, praying with them. “We agree! We agree!” they shouted.

  Grandfather’s eyes twinkled with delight and a few tears. “I am so blessed at what Jajireh has done with everyone here. I feel overwhelmed. But I think I’d better get busy in the kitchen. We need to eat before we send these boys out.”

  Lily and her mother stepped forward. “We have already fixed a meal,” said Mrs. Fischer. “I hope you don’t mind. If felt so good to be able to prepare food again.”

  Grandfather linked his arm with hers. “You have no idea how that delights me. My kitchen is always open to whoever would like to cook. I cannot wait to sit down and enjoy.”

  After lunch, more prayer, and songs of praise, Jos
iah and Zach set out to find a boat. Grandfather gave them several hundred dollars, a paltry sum for a quality boat. “Jajireh can multiply this or give you a really good deal.”

  “Sir, He can provide without money as well. We will listen to His Voice.” Zach gave him a hug. “No fear. Trust Him.”

  “You’re right.” Grandfather looked heavenward. “This is in His hands and in your spirits. I don’t need to figure it out.”

  “Grandfather, you focus on all the people you have here to teach and care for. We will focus on our assignment.” Josiah hugged and then held him at arm’s length as Grandfather had done so many times with him. “We are in good hands. Get ready for great things.”

  * * *

  Zach and Josiah walked, and sometimes jogged, through the familiar woods they both loved. They chatted a bit, but when they arrived in the vicinity of the colony meetings, they prayed and listened within more than anything.

  “You know, Zach, I’m sensing we should go on and spend tonight with Brad and Amber. I hope they’re not under surveillance. That’s the only guidance I’m getting.”

  “That’s interesting.” Zach bent to retie his shoes. He glanced up, admiring the trees and leaves, breathing in the fresh air. “When I walked Brad and Amber to their home with Teleos, I noticed that it wasn’t that far from the marina where I grew up.” He paused. “That’s all I’m getting from my inner spirit. I just keep seeing my old marina.”

  “Well, let’s do it. Jajireh is leading us one step at a time.”

  * * *

  It was early evening when Josiah and Zach arrived at Brad and Amber’s home. It was a simple brick structure, located on a side street in a small town residential area. The home was situated in a large yard and surrounded by a small picket fence. Brad was outside mowing the grass when he saw Zach and Josiah walking toward him. He paused, his eyes widening. Zach and Josiah shook their heads ever so slightly, indicating to Brad to not react with joy or surprise.

  Brad finished the swath of grass he was on and then turned the mower toward the garage. Zach and Josiah followed him down the driveway and entered the garage.

  “It’s great to see you!” Brad exclaimed as soon as the garage door was shut. “Let’s go into the house.”

  The three casually walked into the cozy house. It had a familiar warmth. Reminds me of Grandma. Josiah surveyed the quilts and overstuffed chairs.

  “Are you done mowing already?” Amber asked, coming around the corner from the kitchen. Her eyes got big, and she tried quickly to look down before she realized who it was. “Oh my, you gave me a start. How wonderful to see you!” Amber was about to give Josiah a big hug when she stopped and her eyes narrowed. “Is Grandfather okay? Is everyone okay? Are you okay? Are we okay?”

  The young men all laughed. “Amber, you are so funny. Yes, all is well. Zach and I are on a little adventure to find a new boat.”

  Amber made tea and brought out a pie she had made. Josiah winked at Brad when he saw it but said nothing. They sat around a table with a gingham tablecloth much like Grandma’s.

  Josiah and Zach filled in Brad and Amber on Nathan’s restoration and the prison rescue.

  “We’ve not had that many events, but we have had a couple of restorations.” Brad paused while he took a bite of pie. He picked up his cup of tea and then set it down again. “Did you say you’re getting a boat?”

  “Yes. We brought the young people from the retraining facility in the only boat we had. It’s in many pieces at the bottom of the bay. So we need another one.”

  “This is interesting.” Brad smiled at Amber. “And it’s kind of exciting. I’m beginning to see Jajireh has plans way beyond our thinking. I mean, I know that. But I’m seeing it, and that is cool.”

  Amber got up to get some more tea. “C’mon, Brad. Just tell them.”

  Brad looked at Josiah and then Zach. “Remember our visitors who told us to come to the meeting where you found us?”

  Josiah and Zach nodded. “Yes, go on.”

  “We know them now—Noah and Madeline. We were praying and shouting a lot after we returned home. We prayed for guidance as to what we needed to do to detect and rescue and help but not get caught by watchers. We were a little nervous.” Brad pushed back his chair. “We decided to just put on OGs and shades, walk the neighborhoods, and pray and shout inside ourselves. We proclaimed that every place our feet walked belonged to King Glory.”

  “Great.” Josiah mumbled the word as he took another bite of pie. “Great pie, Amber.”

  “We were a couple of miles away from here and stopped in a park near the water. Next thing we knew, two people came up and started having a picnic a few feet from us. They had the blanket and food and all. We thought it a little suspicious and were about to leave when the man let the napkins blow away in the wind. As he gathered them up, he drew three circles in the dirt right in front of us. He grabbed more napkins and then looked at us briefly and back down at the circles. I drew the smiley face, and Amber scuffed it out. Guess who it was.”

  Amber rubbed her hands together as she and Brad waited for Zach and Josiah to respond.

  “Your visitors?”

  “Yes, Amber recognized Madeline. I had never gotten a good look at Noah, so I wasn’t sure. We joined them for the picnic and became great friends. They have LAMBer meetings at their home. It’s so much like Grandfather’s. They went with us to our first colony meeting here. Again, we just aren’t comfortable there. We have to really pray and shout so we don’t freak out, but Jajireh is helping us.”

  “Is that where you had your two rescues?”

  Amber scooted her chair closer to the table. “No, it was actually neighbors on the next street. The second time we were out, right after we met Noah and Madeline. I think merely meeting them made us feel stronger. A child was out playing and fell right in front of us. Skinned her knee and was bleeding and crying. We stopped and helped her get up. Her mother came running out, protective and fearful. She forgot her shades, and when she realized it, she looked straight at us and then looked down—but not before we saw life. It was weak, but it was there.” Amber gestured wildly while she talked.

  Josiah smiled. “You talk with your hands just like Grandma, Amber.”

  “I know. If I sit on my hands, I can’t talk. Everyone laughs about it. So anyway, I quickly drew three circles. The mother took in a deep breath, hesitated, and then drew the smiley face. We helped her carry her little girl to her back door and invited them to the LAMBer meeting at Noah and Madeline’s place. Her husband and their three kids came, so now we can visit on occasion and shout and pray for each other. It’s really a blessing.”

  “In a sense, it wasn’t a rescue,” said Brad, putting his elbow on the table and resting his chin on his hands. “But it was a connection. And they were starting to fade. They had friends and family who had been carted off by watchers, so they were scared. She said when she realized she didn’t have her shades on, she thought they were goners for sure.”

  Zach tipped his head at Brad. “Whatever you want to call it, it was the work of Jajireh. He did not create us to be isolated. We are a family, and we need connections with other LAMBers. King Glory is using you exactly as Grandfather said He would. We’re excited for you. So where is Noah and Madeline’s place?”

  Brad stood. “Anyone tired of tea? We have water too.” He chuckled. “I think I prefer cold drinks this time of year.” He poured four glasses of cold water and returned them to the table. “I don’t know if you know the area, but about two or three miles from here there’s an old marina. They live right near there. Like Grandfather, they’re tucked back into a little cove, almost like a canal. It’s not up on a bluff but quite hidden, with great access to the water and great trails into the woods.”

  Zach stood too fast, jarring the table and spilling the water. Amber grabbed a couple of towels, and they all mopped up the mess.

  “Sorry, man, but that’s my marina. I mean, that’s the marina my parents owned. My uncle,
who was the main maintenance and engine repair guy, lived in that little cove area. I wonder if Noah is our connection to a boat.”

  Josiah smiled. “He has the right name.”

  “Why do I always want to swat you, Josiah?” Amber twisted the towel and got ready to snap it.

  Zach was too excited to pay attention. “Can we go there tomorrow, Brad? What do you think?”

  “First thing in the morning, we’ll go. There’s a LAMBer meeting tomorrow night, so they’ll be around getting ready. I think we’d better get some sleep. We have one extra bed and a couch.”

  Zach insisted on the couch, so Josiah accepted the bed and fell fast asleep, rejoicing in Jajireh’s plans and provisions.

  * * *

  Zach rose before dawn, ready to go. Soon he roused Josiah. “Hey, man, we need to get going. I feel the Voice speaking within. I think this may be our connection.”

  By the time Josiah tumbled out of bed, dressed, and entered the kitchen, Brad and Amber were making coffee and scrambling eggs. “Hope this is enough. It’s about all we usually eat for breakfast.”

  “It’s perfect. I’m almost too excited to eat,” said Zach. His muscles rippled through his t-shirt as he stretched, trying to calm himself.

  They all sat down and gave thanks for the food. Josiah prayed, “King Glory, we rejoice that You lead us and guide us, and that You have given Your angels to protect us. Lead us very specifically today, please. Prepare Noah and Madeline for our visit, and thank You for their part in guiding us to the boat You have for us.”

  After eating quickly, Brad and Amber gave the directions to Zach and Josiah and sent them off, feeling it would be unwise for the four of them to travel together. Zach and Josiah would go to the marina first to check it out for possible boats, and by then, Brad and Amber would have reached Noah and Madeline and be ready for them to arrive as well.

  Zach pointed out places he knew from his childhood and early teen years. They were careful to keep their shades on and their heads down as much as possible. They did not want to be noticed unless Jajireh had a plan for it. So they spent most of the walk shouting His provision within.