The Chest of Visions: New Pathways ‘cross Broken Highways. Tim Ferguson
February 27th
Hi Huchfee,
My name is Brad and I love your story. I cannot wait to hear more of it. I trust your people will respond positively to what you have learned about your history and that the Valley People will no longer look upon the Mountain People as inferior.
I am wondering about one thing. Perhaps it is silly, but I want to ask you. I just got back from skiing. It is a sport on Earth where we go down snow covered hills on long sticks about four to five times the length of our feet. These sticks, which we call skis, are securely attached to our boots we wear on our feet. It takes some time to learn to balance, but now that I have learned, I have much fun going down mountains which are covered with snow.
I have never heard you speak of snow. Do you have it on Caperston? It is frozen water, which comes down when the weather is cold in place of rain. It is soft and very white, very pretty when it covers the ground.
Brad
February 28th
Hi Brad,
It is so good to hear from you. We do not have anything on Caperston like snow. Perhaps it is because the weather here does not get so cold that rain becomes frozen as you describe it. It sounds wonderful and your sport, skiing, sounds like great fun. It is good to hear how our worlds are similar and yet so different.
We are learning so many new things. First Chihaysu taught us about the Unseen Ruler, called God, then the origin of the Valley People and the Mountain People, and now you tell us about snow.
I wonder how many more mysteries we will discover.
Huchfee
March 2017 Letters
Championship Game and Candles
March 10th
Dear Laura and friends,
Thank you for sharing the forgiveness story and for telling us about the two types of churches. It is nice to know that we are the church of Caperston.
Chihaysu met with his nine remaining followers two days ago. I showed him your recent letter, and he was interested how the people were able to forgive when people were unfairly killed. He then told us that he struggles deeply with his mother’s decision to be buried in the House of the Dead with his father. He has been teaching that the welfare of the soul after death, not the actual burial place of one’s body, is what is important. However, after much thought and prayer, he remembers advising Mattpaul to honor his father and mother. Likewise, he will respect his mother’s wishes and petition Mattpaul’s father, Pav-ed, to consider his mother’s request even though she is a Mountain Woman.
We do have other concerns. Marcus visited the Mountain Village, where he was raised, and reports that the youth are becoming increasingly agitated. They are planning to get together to walk around Lake Gael to Pontos’ residence. As you know they were making posters with drawings and sayings on them, demanding to know what happened to Mattpaul.
When Mattpaul was alive some of the youth doubted his sincerity. But when he died for his faith, they knew every word he stated was true. He did love the Mountain People. In death he has become their hero.
Michaeling is getting some of us together for a prayer meeting soon. I will write back after we meet.
Huchfee
March 21st
Alex and Laura,
We had our prayer meeting last night. Michaeling organized it and invited all twenty-eight students who graduated with Mattpaul to attend. She also invited Marcus. Twenty-two of the twenty-eight graduates came. Chihaysu was also invited.
Michaeling began by sharing her most vivid memory of Mattpaul, the moment when he waved from the boat with Jonas and Levi before the storm. Her second remembrance was of kneeling by the plaque at his grave which read, “Mattpaul . . . God and all those in the mansion of God . . . know how faithful you have been . . . and how you have brought light into our world.” She stated that his faith gave her faith and she believes that he has not died in vain. She introduced Marcus as one of his best friends amongst Chihaysu’s followers.
Marcus began with great energy. “God has called us together to remember one of our friends, who was strong, caring and faithful. Mattpaul believed what Chihaysu is teaching and was brave enough not to compromise. May God fill each of us with similar strength, and with visions of a better and more equal Caperston.”
The youth clapped and Marcus continued, “Mattpaul and I went to a Mountain Village and spoke at a school. The youth questioned Mattpaul’s sincerity and asked, “Where is this God that you speak of? Why does he not come to speak to us himself?” Mattpaul did not know what to say, but later he and I prayed for an answer. We then spoke to Chihaysu who advised, “God does not come himself because he is in the heart of every believer.” Mattpaul used to say, “We believers are God’s light of love in the world.”
At this moment Chihaysu arrived, holding a candle.
Michaeling then spoke and said that we have much to pray for. She gave everyone else a candle and said, “When you pray, light your candle then speak with God. Let us see how bright the prayers to God will make this room.” Fourteen of those present lit candles and prayed.
Marcus then concluded, “God, give us both determination and patience. Change may come slowly, but we believe it will come because it is your will for Caperston.” After he finished, the lit candles were blown out, one at a time. Michaeling’s candle was last. Before she blew it out Chihaysu asked to speak.
He asked the youth present to watch the smoke of the candle as he prayed. He then prayed not for all of us in Caperston but for youth on Earth and, particularly, the youth Alex. Chihaysu was specific asking God to see Alex through some challenging times ahead.
Chihaysu’s prayer was short and, when it was finished, Chihaysu asked what anyone might have seen in the room. Marcus stated that he thought he saw a face appearing in the smoke of the candle. Michaeling and Rachaeling also stated that they saw a face. No one else saw anything including myself.
Michaeling was about to blow her candle out, when Marcus spoke, “Our friend Michaeling was the first youth to be baptized by Chihaysu. She has led the Valley Youth by her gentle but determined ways. Leave your candle burning, Michaeling, as we leave this place.”
She did and we all marveled at how much light came from her one candle. It brightened the room with hope and determination. All left, including Chihaysu. I was the last to leave. After thanking Michaeling for all she had done to bring us together, I took one last look at her candle. Then I began shaking. There it was . . . no, there he was. A face of a youth with curly, dark hair. Michaeling smiled, “So, Huchfee, you also see the face.”
“I do,” I replied. “Who is it?”
“God will let us know, I am sure,” Michaeling assured me.
I stepped outside, where Chihaysu was waiting. Michaeling joined me.
“So, four of you saw the face.”
We both nodded.
“Then you four will make up the group praying, when the time comes. I will contact you through Michaeling”
Our meeting ended and I went home, but my head is spinning. Who is the young man whose face I saw?
Huchfee
March 23rd
Hi all,
Laura has been sharing with you, so it is now my turn. I play for my school in a sport we call basketball. It is a game of shooting a ball into a round metal circle, ten feet above the ground. The circle, which we call a basket, is just a little bit bigger than the ball we are shooting so we have to practice