The Challenge:

            The first day of the week started with Stan ringing the Town Gathering Bell. After the residents gathered in the center since Joshua was on the mountain, Stan announced a new law. “I guess it’s normal that Joshua is away with his sheep. I wanted to announce that a new law will be implemented immediately. It is based on the Fifth Code of Discipline, which we all agreed to after the vote. Stan took out the sheet of paper and read, “Failure to obey any lawful command will result in a punishment to be determined by the mayor.” Therefore, all Joshua’s followers must now follow my lawful commands or suffer punishments as I determine appropriate. I realize everyone has 2 personal days, but I’ve noticed that a group of townspeople have been going up the mountain, which will stop immediately. This new law will state that everyone who goes up the mountain on his or her personal days will cause someone to be punished. Those who continue to violate this eleventh law will cause intensifying punishments.”

            The townspeople began to grumble and protest. “It’s our personal day. Who are you to tell us what we can do on our days off?”

            Stan said angrily, “Furthermore, if you see, support, or help a lawbreaker who goes up the mountain, you also will be punished. So, keep your eyes on everyone else or you may suffer if someone else violates this law.”

            Stan growled, “Jabez, come up onto the platform to receive your punishment. If you choose to go up the mountain, you may expect to receive a penalty. I may pick anyone from the supporters of Joshua and give whatever reprisal I find fitting. Jabez, you are a farmer, but you may not eat at all today, and you must work as hard as any other day. If anyone gives him food, they will all go without food for three days.” All the townspeople mumbled but were afraid to confront Stan. So, the people walked away to start their daily tasks.

            Kylie wondered if what Joshua had said about shalom was a warning about today. She still felt that she was responsible for Jabez’s reprimand because Stan had warned her, “There are other ways I can make your life miserable. If you are determined to make your life in Sanctuary difficult, I will help you with that. Everything that happens now is your fault because of your choice.”

            Kylie felt so confused. How could she destroy everything Stan worked for? How could she tear down Stan’s plans when he had all the power?

            She looked in the bin and found Stan’s robe amidst others, smelling worse than ever before, and remembering his warning, she found a stick to pick up the robe. When she got to the waterfall, she opened the putrid soap. Not wanting any other robe to be touched by his robe, she did Stan’s first. She didn’t know what to do with the soap, so she took the robe, put it in the river, took the branch, and dunked it. She looked for some large, impervious, water-resistant leaves, grabbed them, and wrapped them around the soap. She rubbed the soap on the robe, rinsed the stinky mixture off, and then hung the robe on a tree. She returned the soap to the container.

            She rubbed the oil in the follower’s robes, immediately removing the stains. She rinsed the clothing and offered a prayer over each person’s clothing- not really knowing why she was praying over the clothes. She even offered a prayer for those who didn’t understand Joshua. As she thought about Stan’s new rule, she wondered if Joshua’s friends would follow the law of Stan or disobey. As she thought about it, she knew what she would do. “I must be on the mountain-even if Stan punishes me. I need to listen to Joshua’s lessons and hear his heart.”

            When all the clothes were washed and hung up, Kylie went to get the Bible. The book was now held securely in her heart because she remembered how this book connected her to her birth parents. She thought this book would have meant so much more if her parents knew the truth about the people who she had read about yet were now her fellow citizens of Sanctuary.

            She looked at the mountain where she thought Joshua was watching over her. She heard in her heart, “Remember, Kylie, I can protect you and everyone who trusts in me from anything Stan may devise to harm you. I know his plans, and nothing can separate us. I have only love and joy for your learning and faith. My love, nothing is outside of my control. You are precious to me. I’m so joyous with your wisdom, faith, and love. You are becoming stronger than even Stan can imagine. Just listen to my lessons and apply what you are reading in the Bible.” As she remembered His words, she prayed, “Joshua, I don’t understand, but I will do what you’ve taught me to the best of my ability. And despite the fear I have of Stan and his anger, I will follow your guiding principles and tell others about everything you’ve taught me.”

            As the day passed, Kylie watched Eliphaz working peacefully. She prayed for him and noticed Eliphaz working harder than she had seen before. “It’s funny, Jabez and Eliphaz were antagonistic at first, yet now they seemed to work into a cohesive team. Maybe this happened to unite those two for some purpose in the future?”

            As the sun started to set and the day’s work ended, all of Joshua’s followers gathered in Joshua’s home, even though he rarely lived there. Kylie had put the Bible safely away. They had each taken their meal together and saved a small “extra” from their food to give to Jabez.

            When they heard a knock at the door, Kylie went to answer the door. At the door, Joshua stood with a roasted duck to share with all his followers. “Anybody want a little something extra?” Everybody was so astonished at the delightful surprise for dinner. “May we share a little bit of dinner?”

            Kylie hugged him and instantly thought, “Another chance to see my love- what a gift!”

            Joshua and the followers sat in a circle and started the ancient blessing. Afterward, Jabez arrived and sat as the honored family member. Everyone asked how he had worked so hard, and he said, “I seemed to have extra energy and never felt weak. It was strange, but what Stan planned to hurt me gave me extra strength. And now Joshua provided us with extra duck and friendship. I truly feel like you are all my brothers and sisters-I owe it all to prayer.”

            Most followers said, “I offered an extra prayer for you, Jabez.”

            “I know. I literally felt power during all different times of the day, almost like a shot of might during the whole day whenever I felt weak.”

            Joshua looked up, “As each of you supports another person, the same will be returned to you. Jabez needed power, and you prayed for him. It was also given back to you. Prayer is supporting others and connecting your power to their need.”