“Too often, children must deal with adult level pain in their lives. We can take an aspirin for a headache but what can we take to heal a heartache? When the pain is too big to get over, under, or around, the prescription is a trip to Promise Island. Author Ruth Esther takes children on adventures that reassure each of us that, ultimately, the Lord is in control, His love is unconditional, and His promises are trustworthy.”

—PeggySue WellsAuthor of What to Do When You’re Scared to Death

“A Christian alternative to Harry Potter—the author is a creative writer with a vivid imagination that will capture young readers! Vawter introduces the readers to fictional kids who face realistic problems, such as physical handicaps, bullying, and the inability to read. Their wildly imaginative mentor-led challenges with crazy gadgets and magical keys introduce the concepts of hope in God, salvation in Christ, positive life purposes, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. This is a ‘thumbs up’ read for young minds!”

—Marty DeBruin, Children’s Ministry Director Child Evangelism Fellowship

“Ruth Esther has written one of the best books we have read in a long time. Adventures on Promise Island—is Electric! It’s a powerhouse! This book is what this new generation needs to read to combat stories like Harry Potter and Twilight. Finally a book for Christian families to enjoy. We know this will be a classic for years to come.”

—The Chrisagis BrothersChrisagis Ministries & Productions

What Others are Saying

“What an awesome way to express God’s love towards His children young and old! Who doesn’t love adventures and promises? I know I do. The book ‘Adventures on Promise Island’ gave me this super imagination. it was like I was there. I would encourage all to read this book. it’s a possibility you will find your promise there. Congratulations Ruth Esther, on a job well done, I look forward to the movie! God bless you.”

—Apostles Geoffrey and Delores Franklin of Salvation and Praise Worship Center

© 2010 by Ruth Esther Vawter. All rights reserved.

Published by Redemption Press, PO Box 427, Enumclaw, WA 98022.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any way by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without the prior permission of the copyright holder, except as provided by USA copyright law.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

Scripture references marked kjv are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scripture references marked nasb are taken from the New American Standard Bible, © 1960, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

ISBN 13: 978-1-63232-814-4

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2008910382

This book is dedicated to God my Father,Jesus Christ my Savior, and theHoly Spirit, my Companion,

Who inspired and guided the creation of this book.

5

This book is dedicated to my daughters,Angia and Jamie.

You taught me how to pray while you were growing to womanhood.You are the joy of my life, and I salute you

for the women you have become.This book is dedicated to my oldest granddaughter,

Keerstin,for showing me how to share God’s unconditional love and devotion.

5

This book is written in memory of my great niece,Carissa Deason,

whose life was taken at age seventeen by a careless drunk driver.Many youth and adults gave their lives to Christ

at her funeral held at her high school.If you accept Jesus Christ of Nazareth as your Lord and Savior,

live a godly life, and find your purpose for living,then Carissa did not die in vain.

Many other lives will be saved from destruction and become productive.

{

Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xi

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xiii

1. Arrival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2. Miguel’s Hotel Room . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 3. Miguel at Clear View Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 4. Ya Ming at Dinner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 5. Keerstin at Inspiration Point . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 6. Tobi on the Hope River Boat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 7. Miguel’s Adventures at Forgotten Desert . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 8. Keerstin in Computer Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 9. Ya Ming at Shadow Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7010. Tobi’s Adventures at Patience Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7911. Keerstin’s Adventures in Commitment Forest . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8812. Ya Ming’s Adventures in the Sea of Tranquility . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9613. Tobi’s Adventures near Clear Water Campground . . . . . . . . . 10214. Miguel’s Climb up Truth Mountain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11115. Ya Ming’s Wheelchair Climb . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Content

16. Tobi’s Trail Ride to the Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12017. Keerstin’s Path to the Summit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12318. The Summit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12619. Fun at Sandy Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13120. The Infomercial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13921. Good Samaritan Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14522. Tobi’s Caller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15023. Ya Ming’s Visitors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15424. Miguel’s Guest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15925. Keerstin’s Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16426. Prince and Princess Theater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16927. The Garden of Your Heart . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18128. Airport Farewells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

xi

{

Acknowledgments

I WANT TO thank Rita Butts for editing each chapter of this manuscript and challenging my phrasing throughout, until it became

understandable. Your devotion to detail is deeply appreciated. Your notes of encouragement energized me to continue until it was completed.

A special thank you to my granddaughters, Keerstin, Kayla, and Katelyn, who deserve praise for listening to me read the story to them. They provided insight and encouragement. The girls even drew pictures to show their understanding of the chapters.

I feel so much gratitude toward the members of Chapel Hill United Methodist Church who prayed for the birthing of this book. The Prayer and Praise Fellowship group helped provide the foundation of my faith for a quarter of a century. Praise God for people who believe in the power of the Holy Spirit to implement a fruit-filled life that leads to stronger levels of worship. I appreciate the training to hear the voice of God for my life. I praise God for people who have loved me through many challenges in my life, encouraged me with healing forgiveness, and provided hope for my future.

The women of Aglow International became sisters and mentors who allowed me to grow my gifts. They prayed and challenged me to

Adventures on Promise Island

xii

greater levels of service and leadership. They prophesied over me so I could confirm God’s plan for my life.

I want to express my thanks to Sister Gwen Shaw and the women and men of End Time Hand Maidens and Servants who accepted and nurtured me. The local chapter offered me opportunities to dance in several states to give God praise, honor, and glory. The freedom to dance in churches has increased my confidence to serve God in ways that are more dynamic. My most humbling ministry has been dancing and praying with the women in prison, and incarcerated teen girls.

Thanks to the others behind the scenes who made this book possible. God bless each one of you because you have been listening to the heart of God and know that you have purpose in your lives.

xiii

{THIS BOOK WAS a true gift from God in the early 1980s. I drew

the original map with details that were to be a part of a series of books. When I showed the idea to my mother, she could not understand why I would ever want to write a book. Her words crippled me until Pastor Tom Elliot and I became co-editors of the Christian Informer Newspaper in Indianapolis. Adventures on Promise Island became a monthly series that I created. Each month, one child came to the island to receive help and found healing the next month.

Due to illnesses, we had to discontinue the newspaper. After my mother went to Heaven, I could not do anything with the story, even though I knew it needed to be published. Dalene Smoot-Owens spoke at an Aglow meeting, where she challenged us to release any negative words that had been spoken over us and, as a result, left a curse on our lives that prevented us from fulfilling our destinies.

During that prayer, my mother’s words came to mind, and I released the anger and hurt I felt toward her, even though she had died eighteen years earlier. I asked God to reveal what He wanted me to do with this book. The Holy Spirit challenged my heart, encouraging me to examine if the time was right. I was teaching thirty-one fourth graders and didn’t

Introduction

Adventures on Promise Island

xiv

have time to grade all their papers. How could I find time to write a book? God revealed the solution to me the following month—just write for thirty minutes every day. I knew I could do that and began the journey. If I was too tired or stubborn to write before I went to bed, the Holy Spirit would awaken me in the night and not allow me to go back to sleep until new concepts were on paper.

Prior to writing this book, my Christian writing career consisted of writing devotions, prayers, and newspaper columns. I self-published three books: Teach Your Children How to Pray, Devotions From my Heart, and The Call to Prayer, Fasting, and Bible Reading.

Writing a fantasy for teens was totally out of my comfort zone, so I relied fully on the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. I thank God for Lin Johnson and the training I received at the Write-to-Publish Conference at Wheaton College near Chicago, Illinois. It was at that conference where I learned how to write more effectively. The contacts and encouragement I received were powerful and divinely ordered.

Over the next seven months, several women prophesied words of wisdom, hope, and encouragement when I needed it the most.

I retired from elementary teaching in May 2008, after thirty-one years with the Indianapolis Public Schools. More and more children were coming to school who had never attended church with their parents. They lacked the Christian discipline and principles needed to know who they are and who they can become in life with Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. These were students filled with anger and hatred toward leadership and classmates. They lacked the desire to learn, and disrupted class as a continuous challenge to the faculty. These teens are my target audience for this book. It is my hope that ideas in this book can provide them with hope, purpose, and self-discipline for their future.

It is my prayer that the entire family will read this story and receive renewed purpose and hope. As you and your family read together, it is my desire that you experience a great healing of anger, rejection, rebellion, hatred, painful memories, and laziness. I pray that you will receive physical healing as you forgive those who have hurt you. The

Introduction

xv

lack of forgiving yourself and others is the greatest root of sickness. Turn to God for the answers to your problems. The Holy Spirit will give you dreams, visions, and miracles when you have the faith to expect them. Seek wisdom from God. May you open your heart to this story and see how God can work in your life.

1

{

Chapter 1

Day One

THE CHOICE WAS easy: go to jail for an entire year or fly to some remote island for a week. While Miguel’s grades weren’t very good

in middle school, the brains under his wavy black hair immediately reasoned, Island.

He peered through the airplane window and caught the first glimpse of the heart-shaped island the judge had sentenced him to. Tall mountains, sandy beaches, winding rivers, and shimmering lakes decorated the island as colorful flowers and plants kissed the canvas of the countryside. Miguel had never ventured out of the city before, and now he couldn’t believe the wonders of this new land.

Brian broke the silence, “The Sea of Tranquility is sparkling and calm today, Miguel. You made a wise choice to spend a week on Promise Island.”

“Yeah, that was a no-brainer.” He smirked and twisted in his seat to get a closer look, but the length of his handcuffs stopped him short. His mind leaped from question to question. What will I do on this small island for one week? Are there going to be any good-looking chicks on the

Arrival

Adventures on Promise Island

2

beaches? I wonder where I can score some drugs to survive. What souvenirs can I pocket and sneak back to my gang to prove I’m still their leader? And what is causing that bright light coming out of the mountain?

“Hey, Brian,” Miguel said. “What do you know about this island?”

“Well, it depends on what you want to know,” Brian answered, glancing at the handcuffs that kept Miguel from getting a closer look. Brian was the armed guard responsible for transporting Miguel safely to the island. “I’ve brought several young guys and girls who were in your shoes to Promise Island. They were all in trouble with the law, like you, but didn’t have to go to jail because of what they learned on the island. Each of them had their own adventure, and they were all pretty cool.”

“Adventures, huh? I like a good adventure I guess, especially on a nice beach where I can chill out. No school, no parents. Yeah, that’s cool,” Miguel said, nodding to Brian in agreement. He wiped his sweaty palms on his blue jean thighs, causing his handcuffs to rattle and clang. The other kids on the plane turned and looked at him. He stared a few of them down and wondered why they were going to the island. He didn’t see handcuffs on them. What’s up with that? Miguel pondered. Maybe they’re just some yuppies who got special privileges or something. That reeks. Miguel heaved a sigh and sat back in his seat, waiting for whatever adventures were planned for him to begin.

5“Welcome to Promise Island,” Governor Walters announced to the

new group of youth arriving at Promise Airport.“We want you to feel welcome during your stay here. First, I’d like

each of you to please take this key, which will open different doors of success that will help you while you’re on Promise Island. Each key comes on a chain that is also your map of the island. You will need the map so you won’t get lost during your stay. Carry this set of keys with

Arrival

3

you, because it symbolizes love, hope, faith, encouragement, healing, and wisdom.

“While you are on the island, your every need will be met. I think you’ll find that you will experience some miracles to restore your life. Now I’d like you to meet your Promise Team leaders. They will be your adventure guides for the week. Work together as a team, and you will be amazed at your exciting experiences.”

“Miguel?” A blue-eyed teenager with long, blonde hair trailing behind him greeted his new visitor.

“Yeah, I’m Miguel. Who are you?” Miguel questioned the surfer-looking dude.

“My name’s Cameron, and I’ll be your guide for the week,” he said, reaching out for a handshake.

Miguel responded by gripping his hand with a harder squeeze than Cameron had expected. Cameron withdrew his hand with a slight shake. Miguel found it hard to conceal a grin.

“Wow! You have quite a grip,” Cameron said.“Whatever. Where can we go and catch some rays on the beach?”

Miguel said, anxious to move things along.A sudden jerk of his handcuffed arm surprised Miguel. “You better

show some respect,” Brian commanded. “If I’m going to release you into Cameron’s custody, you have to prove I can trust you.”

Miguel glanced back at Cameron and found it amusing that he’d be released to surfer boy. This should be a piece of cake, he thought. He held up his hands and begged like a true actor, “Okay, okay. I got it. What do I gotta do to get out of these things?”

“Here’s your key to Promise Island,” Cameron said and handed the key to Miguel.

Miguel grabbed the chain, swung it in the air like a lasso, and dropped it into his pocket without looking at it. All he really wanted was to get his metal bracelets unlocked.

“Oh, hey, will the key unlock these ringlets?” Miguel asked.“I guess you’ll have to try it,” Brian replied.

Adventures on Promise Island

4

Miguel took the key out of his pocket and realized it was in the shape of a cross. It was too large for the hole, but when the tip of the cross touched the opening, the cuff popped apart. His hands jerked back, startled, but then he grabbed the cuffs and gave them to Brian. “Here. I’m sure Cameron will take good care of me. Right, surfer dude?”

“Cameron, you know where I’ll be staying if you need me during the week. I’ll be checking on you, Miguel, so watch your step,” Brian warned. “There is no place to hide on this island.”

Miguel smiled and waved at Brian as Brian walked out of the airplane terminal. Miguel threw back his shoulders and held his head high as he walked toward the exit. He saw the most incredible red vehicle fly in, hovering a foot above the street. “What is that?” he asked, racing to the door for a better look. He felt renewed freedom to walk by himself again.

“It’s called a vehicopter,” Cameron replied. “It has the capability of driving and flying. It will be our source of transportation around Promise Island. You’ll love it. Jump in.”

“Yeah, okay. I’m ready if you are.” Miguel grabbed a railing and slid into the passenger seat. As he settled in, his deep brown eyes opened like Frisbees. A gold robot came through the door and grabbed his luggage. Miguel blinked hard and studied the metallic object that rolled along the sidewalk as it placed the bags carefully in the storage compartment. He’d never seen anything like it. This place could actually be okay, he thought. Great beaches where I can hang out, these wild vehicopters to take me where I want to go, and awesome robots to do all the chores. Wait ’til I tell the guys back home!

“Hey, can I take one of these robot-things home with me? I could use his muscles and an extra pair of hands.”

“Nope,” Cameron answered as he jumped behind the wheel of the vehicopter. “Robo Seven only works on Promise Island. The robot’s solar power comes directly from the glory of God. His light is so bright that it generates all of our electricity on the island. Now fasten your seatbelt, because you are in for the fastest ride of your life.”

Arrival

5

“Nah, I don’t need no seatbelt. I can handle anything. Show me what you got.”

“Suit yourself,” Cameron said and announced the destination of Obeyo Hotel.

The vehicopter abruptly lifted at a 45-degree angle 1,000 feet in the air and shot forward like a bullet. Miguel’s body was plastered against the back of the seat, and a brief scream escaped from his mouth. He felt his stomach flip flop. “Man, I ain’t never ridden in nothin’ like this before. What else can it do?”

“The vehicopter flies like a helicopter and airplane combined, whatever you might need for your trip. It can drive along roads and across rough terrain. I think it will have a few surprises for you this week. Go ahead and stretch out in the black leather recliner for ten minutes until we get to the hotel.” Cameron grinned as if he were keeping an exciting secret. It annoyed Miguel, who was usually the one in on everything back home.

As Miguel stretched out to relax, he began thinking, How can I use a robot like that to fight our wars on the street?”

Then Robo Seven abruptly twisted and turned from the cockpit to look at Miguel. “I am pro-grammed to do good for pe-ople. My sys-tems will fail if an-y-one tries to re-pro-gram me for e-vil,” it said in a course, monotone voice that broke up each syllable as it spoke.

“Yeah, right. Thanks for sharing.” Miguel crossed his arms over his chest. He looked at the robot strangely and decided to watch his thoughts around him. It was really freakish, but Miguel knew that kind of talent would be unbelievably helpful back home when it came time to win rumbles.

Miguel sighed and looked out the window. The view was the most amazing and spectacular sight he’d ever seen, and a far cry to what he was used to back home. The little boy inside of him wanted to jump up and down and shout and yell with excitement. Instead, he gave Cameron a fleeting look to make sure he hadn’t given his inner feelings away.

Adventures on Promise Island

6

Just play it cool, he told himself as he gazed out at the beauty before him. This island is unbelievable! Look at those mountains! Then he laid eyes on the first waterfall he’d ever seen. Whoa! That’s really something! This place has rivers, lakes, a desert, forests, cities, and at least one farm. Geez, it’s got it all! I wonder where we’ll go first. Will I get to see that waterfall close up? Oh, man, I’d really like to take a boat ride. I bet surfer dude is going to want to teach me how to surf.

“So, what do you think?” Cameran asked.“This place looks pretty cool. I didn’t know it was gonna be like

this.”“I think you will experience a lot more than you think.”“At-ten-tion, please. Place your re-clin-er in the up-right po-si-

tion, fas-ten your seat belt, and pre-pare to land,” announced Robo Seven.

Miguel frowned and blew out some air, refusing to obey. He didn’t like people telling him what to do. As the vehicopter swerved around buildings for their landing, his body jerked from side to side in the seat, occasionally falling out of the chair, landing on the floor. With each fall, his head whacked against the dashboard, and he could feel the bruises on his tan body materialize. Reluctantly, he positioned himself in the seat and secured his seatbelt. Then they abruptly stopped in front of the Obeyo Hotel.

5Ya Ming Meets Angia from the Promise Team

Ya Ming’s gloved hands pushed the rubber wheels of what she called her “metal chariot.” Then the flight attendant guided her over to meet Governor Walters after he finished his speech.

“Well, young lady, you must be Ya Ming. We have been expecting you,” the governor said as he extended his hand. She didn’t move. With

Arrival

7

broken bones and a scraped face, she hated to be seen in public being pushed around in a wheelchair.

“Ya Ming, I want you to meet your Promise Team Leader. Her name is Angia,” Governor Walters said, gesturing for Angia to join them. Angia had a large, reddish red mark covering half her face. Ya Ming watched her wavy brown hair gently bounce along her shoulders as she walked toward them and saw that her sapphire eyes were filled with joy.

“Hi, Ya Ming,” Angia smiled. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I will be your roommate for the week. Here, I have a gift for you.”

Angia handed Ya Ming a key chain.She stared at the key and couldn’t force a smile to her face, but

her heart skipped a beat as she clutched the key in the shape of a cross. “Where was God when that drunk driver hit my car and killed my brother?” Ya Ming yelled. “Huh? Why should I believe in a God who put me in this wheelchair? What kind of God would ruin our family like this?” She turned her head away, longing to stand up and walk away.

“That’s why you were invited to Promise Island,” Angia said softly. “Give it a chance. You’ll have opportunities to understand your purpose in life while you’re here.”

“I don’t need to come here for that,” Ya Ming snapped. “I already know. My entire life stinks. I can’t have any fun or do much of anything if I can’t walk. Look at me! I’m pathetic!” She shoved the key chain in her pocket, out of sight.

“How about if we get you into your hotel room,” Angia suggested. “You can rest before dinner.” She turned and motioned toward the sky.

Ya Ming pushed her wheels to the door as she saw a smooth, silver object swoosh in for a landing. When it touched the ground, a large door opened into a ramp close to her feet. Ya Ming stared at Angia as she motioned for her to enter.

“What is this silver thing?” she asked, scowling at both Angia and the silver bullet.

“This is a vehicopter. It will take you anywhere you’d like to go on this island,” Angia said. “Let me introduce you to the pilot, Nick.”

Adventures on Promise Island

8

Nick swirled around in his wheelchair and greeted Ya Ming. “Hey! You better close your mouth before something flies into it.” He laughed.

Ya Ming managed a small smile for the first time in months as she gazed at the young man in a wheelchair. “How can you be the pilot if you’re in a wheelchair?”

“Why not? I’m not going to let something like this chair stop me from what I want to do. Of course, I did have a little help. After I came across a land mine five years ago, I wound up in this chair. If I remember right, I was pretty ticked off about it at first. I came here to Promise Island to heal. While I was here, I discovered my purpose in life. Things changed so fast that I was asked to work here so I could give hope to others. These vehicopters are great! I can use the computer controls with my hands, and the voice activation does the rest. I don’t need legs for this job.”

Ya Ming stared at Nick with wonder as he pulled her up the ramp with a pole attached to her armrests. She couldn’t understand how he could be so happy and still be stuck in a wheelchair.

As Nick pulled her forward onto the tracks for security, Ya Ming thought, He’s only got stubs for legs! I can’t believe he’s got a job, let alone something like this. I bet he cracks the minute somebody isn’t looking. He’s not fooling me.

“Fasten your seatbelt around your chair. We fly fast and take sharp turns,” Nick said as he wheeled himself to the cockpit and prepared for takeoff.

Ya Ming crisscrossed the two seatbelts over her chest and locked them under the armrests into the frame. The vehicopter moved cau-tiously, weaving in and out of traffic as it lifted off the ground like a helicopter.

When the vehicopter reached altitude, Ya Ming looked out the window and asked, “Are you sure we aren’t in Heaven? The hills and valleys are in full bloom. Everything is so clean and beautiful. Maybe I finally died and this nightmare is over.”

Arrival

9

Angia laughed. “It’s the next best thing to Heaven. I think you’ll really enjoy your adventures on Promise Island.”

“Adventures? You’re kidding, right? Can’t you see that I can’t do anything? I’m stuck in this metal and leather prison!”

“It depends on how you choose to look at it, Ya Ming. It’s only a prison if you make it a prison. At least you can get out of a bed. I know people who can’t do that, and even they’re living an amazing life.”

“Yeah, right. Well, maybe I don’t want to live. I can’t dance any more, and my entire life was dancing. I won awards for dancing. I had a future in dancing. I studied for years. I was good at it, too.”

“I bet you were a good dancer! What else did you do with your time?”

“What else is there? Didn’t you hear what I said? Dancing was everything to me. I played the piano, but I think that was just so I could feel the music inside of me better when I danced. That stupid piano is no replacement for dancing. Besides, I hated piano lessons.”

“Maybe you won’t hate it so much anymore. Now you can develop your musical talent to find happiness.”

“I’ll never be happy again!” Ya Ming snapped. She took the key chain out of her pocket and examined it for the first time. As she rubbed her fingers over the three-dimensional cross, she read the word God going across it and the word Love going down the center. If God is love, then why doesn’t he love me? she wondered. I don’t feel his love, and he let terrible things happen to my family and me. A tear dropped down onto the letter “O” that both words shared where they crossed. Ya Ming saw her scarred face reflected and prayed, “Oh God, if you do love me, please show me.”

5

Adventures on Promise Island

10

Tobi Meets Chad from the Promise Team

Tobi read the sign with his name on it. It was being held up by a nerdy type of guy with wire-rimmed glasses, so he kept walking past the group of kids standing around waiting for their assigned guides.

“Hey Tobi! Tobi! Wait up,” the nerdy guy shouted as he ran to catch up. “I’m Chad, your Promise Team Leader for the week.”

Tobi continued to ignore him and kept walking.Chad raced in front of him and finally stopped Tobi in his tracks.

Tobi stared at Chad without speaking for a few seconds. “Look, pal. I don’t want to be here, and I’m not about to hang out with…with someone like you for an entire week.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot.” Chad laughed in a he-haw sort of way. “Here, I got something for you. It’s your key to Promise Island.”

“Oh, isn’t this cute? What do I need with a stupid cross key on a heart-shaped chain while I’m on this little island?”

“As you visit different parts of the island, you’ll find out,” Chad said, trying way too hard to make it sound mysterious. Then he let out his he-haw chuckle again.

“Gee, I can hardly wait,” Tobi said sarcastically. He refused to take the key. “Well, make yourself useful and get my bags. Let’s get out of here.” He pushed his way through the crowded terminal like a tight end with the football headed for a touchdown. People yelled and barked at him as he shoved and bumped them aside. One woman cried out in frustration and dropped her purse. Cosmetics scattered. Tobi just snickered and continued. The door was his goal.

Suddenly, Chad appeared in front of him, so Tobi stopped and gave him his best “bully stare.”

It didn’t work. Chad stared back.“What?” Tobi demanded.“On Promise Island, everyone shows respect to each other. So put

away the push-your-way-through-this attitude. Relax, and let’s have some fun.”

Arrival

11

“Okay, Chief!” Tobi saluted with a snicker. Then he leaned real close to Chad and quietly said, “But it was fun!”

Chad leaned in just as close and said, “Maybe for you, but it wasn’t fun for the people you ran into.”

“Hang back there, Chief,” Tobi grimaced. “I think somebody forgot to brush his teeth today!”

It was apparent that Chad was temporarily thrown off.“Listen, Chief, I don’t care if those people can’t take a little friendly

interaction. It doesn’t matter, because no one likes me anyway. But the feeling is mutual. Now, are we getting out of here or what?”

Tobi looked up and saw a beautiful white bird flying toward him. He bent sideways to avoid letting the bird graze his forehead, but the bird carefully flew around him and perched on Chad’s shoulder. “Gee, is that your pet dodo bird?”

“Tobi, I’d like you to meet the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit appears in the form of a dove whenever there’s a problem that needs solving.”

“Can it talk?”“Well, the Holy Spirit is very special.”“Special in what way? I mean, it’s a decent-looking bird, but I don’t

see nothin’ all that special unless it can tell jokes or something.”“Do you know who the Holy Spirit is Tobi?”“Sure. It’s Dodo there. You just said that. I’m not the dodo,

Chief.”Chad paused and thought for a moment. “Do you know who Jesus

Christ is?”“I heard of him, why?”“I hope you’ll get to know him well. When you give your heart

to Jesus Christ, then the Holy Spirit comes into your life to help you every day.”

“No way! You’re telling me that all those peeps who go to church on Sunday have their very own dodo bird?” Tobi laughed.

Chad took a deep breath and said, “Not exactly. The Holy Spirit is just that—a spirit—except on Promise Island. Here, the Holy Spirit is revealed

Adventures on Promise Island

12

in the form of a dove so people can better understand. The Holy Spirit lives inside of you and speaks to you in ways you will understand.”

“Whatever you say, Chief. I don’t think that there dodo bird will be speakin’ to me because I don’t plan on giving my heart to no one.”

“Well you have to give things a chance.”“I’m done with that, pal. My mother don’t love me. My father don’t

want nothing to do with me. So if there is a God, why would he want anything to do with me?”

“It’s complicated.”“I’ll bet.”“God created you uniquely special, to be alive exactly at this time

and place in history. You may feel hate right now, but you have a chance to turn it around.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know you got a job to do, Chief, but I ain’t part of nobody’s cosmic, mumbo-jumbo plan.”

Tobi watched the dove fly from Chad’s shoulder, swirl around him once, and settle on his shoulder. Initially, Tobi waved his arms and tried to bat it away, but the bird stayed calm until he stopped and was able to land. The moment the bird landed, Tobi felt an inner warmth. His pulse stopped racing. He could feel his frown melt from his face as a peacefulness came over him.

Tobi turned to look at the dove, and the bird’s eyes met his. He was overwhelmed with a completely new feeling. A tingling motion, like goose bumps, trickled down his arms, back, stomach, and then down through each leg to his toes. He wasn’t sure what was happening or how to respond. He was confused, mostly.

When he heard someone talking to him, he realized he’d been standing there with his eyes closed. When he opened them, the lady he’d bumped into was saying something.

“I’m sorry, what did you say?” Tobi asked.The woman wiped her brow and heaved a giant sigh. “I said do you

realize what you did when you tried to shove your way right through me on your way over here?”

Arrival

13

“No. I mean, yeah, I guess…sort of. I don’t know what I mean.”“Well, don’t you have anything to say for yourself?”Tobi glanced back at the bird that held his gaze. Once again a strange

feeling pulsated through his body to the end of his fingertips. “I’m sorry…yeah…Look, I was…in a hurry, okay? I’m sorry.”

The woman looked at Tobi, then the dove, and smiled. “Okay then. You be more careful. You could hurt someone.”

“You ready? Hello…earth to Tobi! Do you read me?” Chad said, looking and sounding like a real nerd again. It made Tobi laugh.

Tobi blinked hard and looked around. The woman was gone. The bird was gone. Chad was standing there, holding his luggage, pretending to speak into a make-believe walkie-talkie.

“What just happened, Chief?” Tobi asked.“Your ride is here,” Chad said, standing beside a bizarre-looking

blue vehicle with a dove painted on the side.Tobi glanced at his shoulder again, but the dove hadn’t returned.

What’s going on around here? he wondered. Did I just apologize to that old woman? What was that all about? I can’t remember the last time I said I was sorry to somebody. Weird. This place is weird, this guy is weird, and this thing he wants me to ride is weird.

“What is this thing?” he asked before getting into the blue taxi.“You ask a lot of questions, Tobias, but that’s okay. There’s no better

way to learn and grow than by seeking wisdom.”Tobi grabbed Chad by his shirt. “Tobias? Tobias? Don’t ever call me

that again, Chief! You got that?”Chad pushed his dark-rimmed glasses up his nose before speaking,

“This is a vehicopter, and it will be your mode of transportation across the island. It has an ability to turn into a car, an airplane, a boat—whatever you need for your adventures on Promise Island.”

Tobi let go of Chad’s shirt and pushed him back. “No kidding! It’s like the Bat-mobile I used to play with as a kid. Let’s check it out.”

“Strap in and be read-y for the ride of your life,” announced the pilot, Robo Two.

Adventures on Promise Island

14

“Hey, this thing’s got its own robot!” Tobi said, fascinated by everything new.

They both slid into their leather recliners, strapped in, and took off, straight up in the air like a rocket to the moon. Then they leveled off and flew across a green forest, rushing river, parched desert, and steep mountains.

“Tobi, I almost forgot to give you this,” Chad said, handing Tobi the key to Promise Island.

Tobi looked at the key and remembered he had rejected it earlier. “What is it?” he asked, accepting the key and turning it over in his hand. One side of the cross had the words Holy Spirit going straight down and the word Jesus stretching across it, sharing the letter “S.”

“It’s a key to Promise Island. Believe me, it will come in handy this week.”

Tobi looked at his geeky-looking guide and then down at the cross-shaped key. He held it in his hand for over a minute, reflecting on what had just happened to him. It was such a strange sensation. Tobi hadn’t felt an inner peace or calm in many years. So what? he thought. The feeling is gone now. Plus, it made me act so weird with that lady. Almost gives me the willies thinking about it. He turned the cross over and read the words God and Love. He thought about those words. Is there a God? Why would he possibly love somebody like me? There’s an easy answer to that question. He wouldn’t. I don’t deserve to be loved. I know that. Who cares? I don’t need his love or anyone else’s. I learned to deal without that a long time ago, and I’ve done just fine.

5Keerstin Meets Jamie on the Promise Team

“Howdy, Keerstin. My name is Jamie. We get to be bunkmates for this week,” Jamie said, introducing herself.

Arrival

15

Keerstin looked at Jamie. She had never met a Native American girl who was dressed in her unique clothes. “I love your dress. What is your background?”

“I’m Navajo. We are sheep herders. My family has a big ranch north of Promise Island. I work here whenever they need someone like me,” Jamie said.

“Need someone like you?” Keerstin asked.“Well, I have some rather special talents that I can share with

others.”“That’s cool. What are they?”“You’ll find out soon enough when you realize what your talents

are, too.”“Oh, I’m an artist. I love to draw pictures. I always carry a pencil

and drawing pad in a bag wherever I go. I never know when I’ll see something I want to draw. Oooh! I have a great idea. I'd love to draw you when I get a chance. You are so beautiful, dressed in that colorful and beaded leather. What do you think? Say yes!”

“Thanks, partner. I would be honored to have you draw a picture of me.” Jamie smiled and blushed. “Here, I have a gift for you.”

Keerstin opened her hand, and Jamie laid the key in her palm. Keerstin turned it from side to side as she tried to read the letters on the twelve sides of the three-dimensional edges of the cross.

Jamie pointed. “The cross has words that will help you to become a stronger Christian. Here, I’ll read them to you. They are God and Love on the front of the cross. Turn it over and the words Jesus and the Holy Spirit cross at the “S.” Now turn the cross to the twelve edges and you will read: Obedience, Forgiveness, Strength, Hope, Patience, Peace, Joy, Faith, Wisdom, Kindness, Goodness, and Self-control.”

“Wow, Jamie! Most of those words are the fruits of the Spirit! I love the Holy Spirit who is always in my heart. Isn’t it wonderful? Oh, thank you for this precious gift! I will treasure it forever.” Keerstin smiled, holding the cross next to her heart. Then she prayed aloud, “Lord, I want all of these traits to be a part of my life so I can glorify you.” She

Adventures on Promise Island

16

meant every word, but then she silently prayed that God would also help her learn how to read.

“Oh Jamie, I wish I could design something this creative to help other people.”

“With your talent and the insight of the Holy Spirit, you can do anything.”

Keerstin looked at Jamie with a glimmer of hope, but she really doubted anything successful would happen since she couldn’t read.

“Your vehicopter is waiting to take you to your hotel,” Jamie said, leading the way.

Right before Keerstin’s eyes, a yellow contraption with paintings of Bible characters whizzed into view and landed right in front of her. “Look! That artwork is stunning! I would love to paint something like that.”

“Under every picture there is a button you can push to hear the story surrounding the picture. Go ahead, push one.”

Keerstin’s eyes were drawn to the picture of people holding hands around the globe. She pushed the button and a deep voice spoke, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life. John three, sixteen.”

“Oh, I know that verse! I memorized it when I was in second grade.”“Here are the words that go with it,” Jamie said, gesturing to the

scripture written under the picture.“This is wonderful,” Keerstin said. She prayed silently, Dear God,

thank you for bringing me to this gorgeous island. I need healing. I’m hoping for and expecting a miracle while I’m here. You know what I need most. I praise you and love you with all of my heart.

Jamie looked at Keerstin and asked, “Are you okay, partner?”“Oh, yes,” she answered. “I was just talking to my best friend, Jesus.

We talk all the time throughout the day.”“That’s great! Okay, buckle up, buckaroo, and prepare for take-off.

We’re heading to your hotel.”

Arrival

17

The vehicopter took off like a rodeo bull leaping from the gate when a sudden gust of wind swooshed them high into the air. When it reached altitude, it took off like a bottle rocket on the Fourth of July.

Keerstin viewed the landscape and grabbed her sketchbook and pencil. “I can’t draw fast enough to capture all the sights.”

She drew the curvature of the heart-shaped island surrounded by the turquoise ocean. Then she drew the mountain range dividing the island in half, going from the east coast to the west coast. Keerstin drew the rivers flowing from the north to the south, springing forth from the mountains, then exclaimed, “Oh, look! The mountains and rivers look like a cross in the middle of the heart-shaped island. This is just perfect because I have the cross of Christ in my heart, too!”

“You are a smart young cowgirl, Keerstin. Look over there. You can see your hotel.”

“Will we be riding in the vehicopter again? I really want to draw more pictures of Promise Island from the air.”

“Almost every day.”