The Chest of Visions: New Pathways ‘cross Broken Highways. Tim Ferguson
14th
Dear Alex,
We are overjoyed to hear of your vision of heaven and seeing your friend, Kevin, and Mattpaul there.
The vision gives us courage and your description is of a spectacular place.
The situation in Caperston is of developing chaos. Three days ago, Mattpaul’s father called me in and stated that he did not know whom he can trust. Since I was Mattpaul’s friend, he believes he can trust me. He no longer trusts Zester and plans to speak to Pontos, the Ruler, about putting him on trial for carelessly allowing Mattpaul to die of malnutrition. He asked me about Mattpaul’s sister, Rachaeling. He knows that she has listened to Chi-hay-su speak and has been impressed. He was almost in tears and said, “Huchfee, I have lost my son. I cannot bear the thought that I will lose my daughter too. Will she also leave to follow Chihaysu?”
I only responded that I did not know. I did not tell him of the message from Mattpaul. “There will be three new followers of Chihaysu. One will be unexpected and at least one will be a woman.” We all wonder. Will the new follower be Rachaeling, Michaeling or Dawnling? And who will be the unanticipated follower?
There are rumors in the street about the death of Mattpaul. Some say he was assassinated. Mattpaul’s father told me that I am to say nothing and that he will handle the matter. People are wondering why there has been no announcement of a funeral and the usual ceremony. Mattpaul was the respected son of the second highest official in Caperston. Usually ceremonies of someone like Mattpaul would be well-publicized, but this time there has been no public announcement.
I will let you know more, and I again thank you for sharing your vision of heaven with us. We are all comforted by the hope of this beautiful place.
Huchfee
January 16th
Alex and Tim,
We look forward to hearing from you and the events of your world. The teachings of Jesus, which you have shared, continue to encourage us in our growing faith.
There are new concerns I did not tell you about in my last letter. Last night Marcus met with us during a prayer circle at Michaeling’s house. He asked us to pray for the Mountain Youth in particular. They are angry as they remember when Mattpaul spoke with them a few weeks before his death.
They state that he was the only Valley Person they were sure cared about them. They have no faith in Pontos, whom they blame for Mattpaul’s death. Jonas was with Marcus at the Mountain Village and made a sketch of Marcus speaking with them. I am sending it to you. I hope you get it. Marcus also told us of a rumor about Chihaysu. He had heard from a reliable source that Chihaysu was depressed over the death of Mattpaul and was planning a journey to an unknown desert beyond the Mountain Villages. Chihaysu confided that he is not sure how long he will be gone, and he needs time to meditate and pray alone. We think it will be for several days.
At this time we need Chihaysu to come forward and counsel us and not to leave us for the desert. Please write. We need encouragement.
Huchfee
January 20th
To my Caperston friends: I am worried about your world and I will pray for you. I have faced worrisome times, but I now know that God was always with me. He will be with you too. I want to let you know that we received Jonas’ sketch. He is very talented. Also, and this may seem unimportant, one of our members asked about the homes of the Mountain People. They have no chimneys. How do your people warm your homes without a chimney to release smoke from furnaces or from fireplaces?
I went to our youth group for the first time since Kevin’s death. I was anxious but everyone was happy I returned. Laura had already told everyone that I had a special story to share. Then I told my story, including my vision of heaven and of seeing both Kevin and Mattpaul being honored by Jesus himself. All the girls and even two of the boys were crying. Even our minister seemed emotional. Everyone wants to know about your story of Caperston. I will pray every night that all of you in Caperston will feel the presence of God in the challenging times you are facing.
Alex
January 27th
Dear Alex,
Thank you for writing. I am thankful you found your way back to your youth group.
We are glad you received the sketch Jonas made. We agree that he is very talented. While meeting at Michaeling’s home, Jonas reported that Chihaysu left two days ago for the desert. It is an area that no one from Caperston has gone. He took water, a sleeping blanket, and some books. That is all. Jonas also reported that Chihaysu’s mother, who lives in a Mountain Village, is ill with the AHT disease. This is the disease Dawnling had when Chihaysu prayed, and the disease went away. But Dawnling was young and Chihaysu’s mother is much older. Jonas is checking on her and, if she becomes weaker, Jonas stated he would leave for the desert to find Chihaysu and report that his mother needs him. We took some time to pray with him that God will guide him if he must make this journey. Marcus offered to travel with Jonas, but he wanted to go alone.
Mattpaul’s father spoke to me and made me swear to tell no one in Caperston what I will now tell you. He said that he went to the Ruler, Pontos, and discussed the callousness of Mattpaul’s death, reporting that making Zester a trusted “youth representative” was a mistake. He recommended that Zester be demoted. Mattpaul’s father stated that Pontos did not agree. Pontos spoke to Zester and found him to be a youth with potential to be an effective leader. However, Pontos recognizes the emerging conflict with Mattpaul’s father and plans to give Zester a new position as supervisor of both the palace guard and the police force of Caperston. Zester will now report directly to Pontos himself. We are all surprised how much Pontos has elevated Zester, our classmate in school a year ago, to such a high position.
Mattpaul’s father asked Pontos if he could replace Zester with myself as his special “Youth representative.” Pontos is considering this request. It is good to know that my best friend’s father now trusts me.
You asked about the Mountain People’s homes without chimneys. There was a time we too needed chimneys but three generations ago our scientists discovered a way to make nuclear energy available in every home. We have a box about four times the size of our compols. It has a dial and we set it for “cool, warm or hot” depending on the weather. The box has wires that extend from it into the walls of our homes and the walls radiate warmth or coolness as needed. Don’t ask me how this works. Mattpaul understood but, as you know, he is dead.
I look forward to hearing what is going on with your youth.
Huchfee
January 30th
Hi Huchfee and Caperston friends,
I am Laura, Alex’ friend and I am glad Alex gave me the e-mail address for the LessonsforChristianyouth.com site to which you have been writing.
After reading all the letters going back for so many months, I am convinced that God has called a special group of you together. You are brave and dedicated and I am not sure if I could be so brave. I will pray for you.
I have one question after reading the story in the letters. You speak of Mattpaul’s father all the time, but you have never shared his name. He is an important man in Caperston, and we are sure his name is special. Please share this with us.
We will continue to keep you all in our prayers. I look forward to your reply.
Laura
February 2017 Letters
A New History
February 4th
Dear Alex and Laura,
Amazing things are happening. This is a long story and I can only forward a little at a time, so it will be sent in three separate messages on three separate