Agape International

In the Midst of Great Trials and Tribulations

In the near future, a group of American believers are led by a man that wishes to see people know the true love of God and a heartfelt compassion for their fellow man. However, not every country wishes for its population to be influenced by such spiritual teachings. These beliefs, already spreading like wildfire, could spell the end for many oppressive regimes and leaders worldwide.

Elijah sat there comfortably, staring intensely out of the window pane. The beautiful landscape view reminded him of his childhood. It reminded him of the times he spent playing, laughing, and running on those coastal foothills. It all felt like another lifetime. Never, though, did it bother him the fact that his childhood wasn't a typical one. Without hope of a better tomorrow, things would have certainly been a different story. For the few seconds he held onto them, the hopeful memories danced in the back of his mind. They were far better than the ray of sunshine coming through the window. He wanted more days like this one, but one moment at a time is what he figured. "No more worrying what could have been," he thought to himself, "Truly, it's about what is, and what can be tomorrow and forever." Some days he just began writing with no real purpose, or even a clear understanding, of what should be written. All he knew was that the flow of power from his mind, will, and emotions ran out of the blue-inked pen and onto the paper like the trickling rain upon the ground becomes a mighty and unstoppable force of a torrential downpour. Such a beautiful fraction of time, what may have been fifty minutes or more seemed sometimes like barely ten or fifteen. "What is to happen now, for me in this year to come?" he pondered. "Life will go on," something deep within told him Just as always. That was reason enough to genuinely smile.
2

Would things have really been strikingly better if, say, popularity filled more of his social life? No. Perhaps a desire for wealth and power mightve drawn him closer to happiness? Not even close, he thought. What about dozens of shallow relationships, all ending in heartbreak or troubles? Yeah, definitely a winning path Elijah scoffed. He thought back to another time - before that weekend in January, five years before when the terrible possibility of all three pursuits had all but consumed every ounce of his heart. It was a dark place, and a lonely time, without wisdom or justice on his conscious. Elijah sat up gently, lifted the cup that sat on the window seal, and then drank the last bit of tea that was inside. It wasn't his favorite morning drink, but he enjoyed it occasionally. He brought it to the sink, and slowly filled it with water. Then, Elijah quickly gathered his coat, keys, leather wallet, and headed out to the car. The warm breeze when he stepped out was a soothing reminder: He may not be alive for a hundred years, but for today at least, he was living. In a particular fashion he would arise and sometimes be in such a hurry that thoughtfulness as to the glory of God and His presence seemed like a far off memory. Not today though, and not often for that matter.

Slowly the day came to a close, as everyone in the office went about finalizing reports and gathering belongings. Now was his time to do the routine Good3

byes. Sarah and Justin were not so upbeat today, but seemed as though the two were at odds since a muchheated discussion, or argument rather, over abortion had taken place a couple days prior. Just after the last employee departed, he relaxed. The grocery store line had a few people in it. The lady behind the lanes counter, a middle-aged brunette woman with caring voice, was smiling as she rang up the items for her customers. When it was his turn, he smiled in return. She asked, Paper or plastic? To which Elijah responded, Ill have plastic please. When she got to the milk he asked her, How was your day? She answered Quite well, and yourself? He said, Pleasant. He glanced down at his watch, it was five oclock exactly. As the woman bagged the last few things, he paid for them and said with a kind-hearted nod, Thank you, hope you have a good evening. You as well, and God bless! was her reply. It was on his way home that Elijah pondered the next chapter in the story. He pulled into the driveway, putting the car in park he quickly ran inside. He opened his notepad, and made a short reminder of his ideas for the next plotline development. He was reading over the last paragraph and no sooner had he passed the third line when his watch alarm went off. Tonight is October 7th! Its the night of the banquet at the hotel, he realized suddenly. Immediately,
4

he bolted for the closet and then the shower. After the shower, and dressing in his best navy-blue pinstripe suit, he was ready to make a hurried trip to her house. Almost at the door, Elijah sighed as he ran back to put on his tie. When he was done, and took off out of the house. Feeling uneasy he reached for his cell phone to see if he had any new messages, since he had forgotten it in the car earlier. Four missed calls, from Heather. Where ARE you!? The voice on the receiving end asked worriedly. Calm down Im on my way. He answered; I ran by the store for some things, then started writing his excuses were falling on what he supposed to be deaf ears. His brakes squealed as he pulled into the driveway the kind of sound that made his spine shiver and ears hurt. As waited he jotted a note down to have them checked, and slipped it into his left pants pocket. She was leaving the house, just as he was walking up to her porch. Hi. He said sweetly. Good evening, honey, she replied with a sarcastic tone and a cute smirk. They walked briskly to the car, exchanging teasingly blameful courtesies to one another. And so you show up fifteen minutes late, and still expect a kiss? She asked. He pecked her on the left cheek, and answered, You know, I would have been here thirty minutes ago If I thought you would be ready by now. He opened the passengers side door while she answered to his
5

statement, Haha, very cute. Then she sat, he closed her door, and quickly moved around the car and fastened his seatbelt once in the car. The banquet was to begin at 5:30 pm and it was already 5:37 when Elijah and his fianc began their short drive. The hotel was packed with massive waves of moving business attire and fancy dresses. Half of the group was apparently going into the exact same room that they were, and the other half was going to and from other smaller conference rooms. Almost instinctually, he and Heather joined hands and swam with the group flowing toward their destination. The room smelled of perfume, delicious delicacies, and recently cleaned surfaces. Each and every table was carefully decorated in white and purple, while caterers were busily attending to the long tables supporting metal containers of all shapes and sizes. Some steamed and some sat upon and in the middle of ice. A very carefully crafted cross of frozen water was in the very center, drawing attention away from all the aroma and elegant fashions of the room. Heather leaned toward Elijah and whispered, Where are we going to be sit? And as he turned to give an unsure answer, a smiling familiar face came to greet them. He was Ralph, an all-around good natured friend of theirs. He said, Welcome, welcome the man of the hour and his wife-to-be! How are you two doing? to which Heather replied Were alright, just running a few
6

minutes behind schedule It wasnt my fault this time. Elijah was laughing and nodding his head. They joked a little, and Ralph directed them to the table, where two seats were saved for them. It was right at the front, just to the right of the stage. At the table were all of Heather and Elijahs close companions: John, to the right of Elijah, was a hardworking goofball and all around good guy that dwelled on nothing negative in life. Sally, on Heathers left was the strong and hardly ever silent type. Allen, he was a close friend that Elijah knew since freshman year in college. Juanita was Allens thoughtful and honest wife. The crew exchanged courtesies and talked all about the days to come. After a short time, Ralph buttoned his dark-grey suit and stood up, then walked up front to the podium. Hello and welcome! He announced, as he opened his arms in a gesture of good will and laughed happily. It appears that our man has made it, so I believe we are finally ready to begin. Two years ago, if you told me that this organization would have already extended beyond our city limits, I might have called you a little optimistic. If you told me that somewhere on the other side of the country, people would know who we are and the humanitarian aid we provide I might have felt that your hopes were a little high. I can say with absolute certainty that if I was told by anyone I knew that we would have people across the globe, I would say to them Youre a dreamer. The crowd sat silent, waiting for the next words to be uttered.
7

Ralph paused only a moment before continuing with a voice that was having difficulty in disguising the restraining of a genuine outburst of tears. His mouth showed a grin full of white teeth, but his eyes and throat conveyed deep emotional exchange with the group of attendees. The crowd was by no means small or even moderate in size; over seventeen rows of tables were spread throughout the room, and each held a full seating. There were roughly 830 people there listening to Ralph as her spoke. He continued boldly, But the Word of God tells every believer, that Jesus said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. And as of this day, these words have become reality within Agape International countless individuals from Albania to Zambawai have been healed from numerous deadly diseases, given agricultural training and materials, and they have been shown how to build reliable semi-modern homes that will last for at least three generations. On another branch of our efforts, many animals that were being brutally hunted to near extinction have been relocated to repopulate safe locations, identical in climate, but far less dangerous than their former habitats. Finally, the message of the Gospel has been given with conviction to crowds of the faithful and lost alike. Like a refining fire, our Lord showed forth His glory among the nations! The people clapped and cheered as he paused. After lobbying the government for a full two and a half years, they finally listened. My dear ladies, and my
8

honorable gentlemen, please rise and give a warm welcome to my good friend, your president and CEO Elijah Rossrecbear. The crowd roared, as they began standing to their feet. Elijah walked to the podium, he shook hands with his friend as Ralph told him Great job, Ralph. I knew you had it in you. Elijah was almost in tears himself because of the love generated around the room. He swallowed hard and stepped up to the microphone after clearing his throat. I want to thank each and every one of you for coming. I know for some of you, this may not be much of a big event. Hopefully, for most of you this is a night for celebration, Camera flashes lit up Elijahs face like a flickering fire of white. Celebration of what can be accomplished with the pure guidance of the Holy Spirit and by Gods grace, through dedication to His cause, faith in His Word, and last but not least, teamwork. This is also a celebration the Godly, politically involved people of our great nation, who so joyfully approved of the international, charitable projects. With the federal funding approved, Agape International has been given every necessary tool to accomplish Gods calling for charity, or love, for our brothers and sisters throughout third-world countries. That term third-world should instill one thing within the heart of United States Civilians. One, it can help someone realize the struggles that first-world countries face is almost nothing in comparison to that of our neighbors and allies, and two, it must wake us up to the distance between us because our modern culture.
9

Nothing causes more separation than luxury and laziness becoming an everyday ritual for us here. If we have the ability to help the helpless, we have the responsibility, in Gods name! He paused only briefly to wait for another calming of the joyful crowd. Almost every one of them, Elijah remembered, had shared at least one six-month tour with him abroad. He continued, Although many hardships have not been settled in our third-world nations today, the ones that through Agape have been resolved can speak loud and clear. Our Lords accomplishments through us tell us to never let go of our hope to help brothers and sisters around the globe And as an elderly man in Indonesia once told me, No one that loves with limits on their sacrifice will ever experience the abundant joy you feel when helping another person you dont even remotely know out of simple compassion for them. And so friends, enjoy this celebration meal, it is a toast for your hard work and long hours. Take part in the fellowship, and may the peace that surpasses all understanding fill you, and always keep the faith alive within yourselves. At this moment, the entire conference was nothing but applause. He stepped down, hoping that the message of how great God is made its way through his speech.

The next hour went by fairly quickly, everyone around him was smiling, and not a soul in the place was by first glance displeased. After the last table was
10

cleaned Elijah returned to the stage, he said politely Please, stay as long as youd like: The banquet room, outdoor pond, and poo-side lounge are open for you to spend time catching up with one another. My beautiful fianc and I will be on our way out in a few minutes, but if theres one thing I would like to leave you with, its this: Dont let the remaining worlds troubles bring you down God holds the very keys to death, Hell, and the grave. Trust that in His name, we can do what He calls us to. I truly hope that you all have a very joyful time celebrating the New Year! they clapped and whistled again, all glad to see the organizations founding father with high hopes for the future. His leadership was truly a blessing to them, as was their Gods faithfulness in hearing their prayers and moving on the behalf up to this point in government. Soon, however, the test of how strongly they believed on Him would become more of a harsh reality than anyone knew at that time. All was well, and for that night all ended well. Heather embraced him after he walked back to her, and kissed his cheek sweetly. They said their goodbyes to all of their close friends and parted ways for the evening. It was just after 7:30. You were excellent, just wonderful up there tonight, honey! she said with sheer gladness. Aww, dont feed my ego babe we dont want it any bigger, he replied lovingly. God certainly watches over you, you know. I can tell by the way youre being led to do His will daily, and despite the dangers you return home safe every time
11

 I love you, dear. She told him. I love you too, Elijah replied. Elijah Rossrecbear was a humble man in many ways, but he was not so arrogant as to deny the gifts of charisma and knowledge that God gave him. All to His Kingdom, and for His names sake! revolved in his head whenever a bit of pride showed its face. He drove her home, and they kissed goodnight. Then he rode home, lost deep in thought and prayer for his next journey overseas.

12