I Am a Missionary to Mars: Chapters 7 to 12
Chapter 7: Gifts from Home
I didn’t even know it was possible to receive personal packages on Mars, Grandpa! Imagine my surprise when I got the gifts from you all: a child-sized djembe drum, diminutive hand bells, cymbals, a recorder, and a small keyboard. Real ones, not holographic ones! Mom says that we should leave them here for kids who come in the future. I guess that’s what Jesus wants. Oh, and the music that’s literal sheet music like, “Jesus Loves Me, This I Know.” I taught the hand motions for that to the kids a couple of days ago so that one is fresh in their minds. These will help with the concert we’re planning before Greg and Tobias have to leave.
Dear God, Thank you for wonderful grandparents who not only gave me this journal but also gave gifts to help the children worship you. Thank you for all the ways that you equip me to be a missionary for your glory. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Chapter 8: Some Trust in Chariots
“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”
Psalm 20:7 WEB
Dear Journal,
People around here are understandably proud of how far humanity has come in terms of scientific progress in the last century or so especially.
That is, people are often bragging about how impressive the Sets are. It doesn’t sound humble.
I think that, for the record, I should write some details down. Who knows, maybe my grandchildren will be reading this journal someday and they may be curious.
Here are some facts:
Sets Gamma, Delta, Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Theta, Iota, Kappa, Lambda, and Mu are functional but Alpha and Beta have been abandoned/retired.
Children are in Sets Gamma, Iota, and Mu.
Sets Kappa and Lambda are special and no one talks about what happens there. If you ask adults they act evasive and strange.
Set Delta is related to the military. They say that “training” happens there.
Set Epsilon has supplies of all sorts.
Sets Zeta, Eta, and Theta are for research. Set Theta is full of plants and that’s where most of Dad’s work is done.
Set Mu is a miniature version of Set Omega, which is going to be a full-sized, self-contained city. I told my parents that I would like to see it and they said, “Maybe someday.” I wasn’t sure if that meant like “next week” or “in the next decade” or “never.” I decided not to press the issue.
Life here is simple in a way. On the weekends our family goes to holochurch services- one on Saturdays and two on Sundays. I pray, think and walk around the living quarters’ exterior ring. Through the skylights I look up at the Martian sky from time to time. Thoughts of home often fill my mind, but it’s always intriguing to remember that I’m actually on Mars.
The spaces feel small and sterile, but it’s also super clean. When I get home I plan to run barefoot through a vast grassy field somewhere as I inhale the fresh scents and feel the breeze.
I do love the opportunity to be a missionary to Mars, and it’s kind of fun to be squished together in a tight place with Mom and Dad. Such close proximity makes it almost seem like we’re practically hugging all the time as we bump into each other in our 10 x 15 shared room.
Dear God, Thank you for my loving parents. Thank you that we can pray together. Thank you for everything. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Chapter 9: Missionary to Mars
Dear Journal,
I have SO MUCH to write about yesterday.
First I will comment that the day before yesterday we performed our music for a huge number of people-at Set Mu!
I told the gospel clearly- that Jesus, the Son of God, gave his life on the cross to pay for our sins and then He rose again. I invited everyone to turn from sin to follow Christ as Lord and Savior.
People responded positively. One mom said that she “needed to hear that.” I think that Lily might have been crying.
Even Dr. Duke congratulated me afterwards and said that he was glad I found my calling.
There were snacks afterwards. The parents of the little kids expressed appreciation and Dr. Golden’s wife also said kind words.
Then I went to bed, blissfully unaware of what was awaiting me the next day (which was yesterday) except that I knew that it would be the last day on Mars for Greg and Tobias.
My first clue was when I walked into the classroom and Mrs. Golden was there because Dr. Golden wasn’t feeling well. Zoe came to our class as well. A few minutes later we heard a horrendous sound coming from two rooms down (my former classroom). Mrs. Golden agreed that we could go investigate. It was Dr. Duke! He was losing his lunch-er, um breakfast- in front of the class! That must have been too much for Mrs. Golden because then she was sick too.
The kids all started looking around at each other awkwardly. Because of being with the little ones, I was used to taking charge. Perhaps it was a kind of “leadership development.” So, well, I told the others, “Follow me.” My intention was to go to the teacher of the oldest teenagers, but at that moment a siren sounded, long, and loud, and shrill.
As a result, I decided to take the kids to The Shelter, a place that’s been designated for such situations. Dr. Duke and Mrs. Golden followed too, though slowly.
The problem was that Elizabeth and Zoe stayed behind, kind of hiding behind a desk. I went back for them after telling Greg the way. I briefly wondered if I was laying down my life in a way, like Jesus.
“Come on, girls,” I smiled. “Let’s go find our Mommies.” I suggested.
“Scared,” Zoe said.
“Please?” I asked. “God wants us to be good listeners.” I added.
“OK,” Zoe said. Elizabeth hesitantly joined her. I put Zoe on my shoulders as I had done on the shuttle and carried Elizabeth imperfectly in my arms.
We reached The Shelter.
The adults there didn’t look so good.
I knew that Dad had gone to Set Theta.
But where was Mom?
Chapter 10: Better To Save Life
Sorry, Mom said that I had to take a shower. I’m back now so I can continue telling you what happened yesterday.
So, I saw that Mom was missing.
Under normal circumstances an adult would likely have told me to stay in The Shelter They were all trying to connect to their own kids. Something was changing in the air and it was making us all feel weird-not to mention that it was clear that something was obviously wrong with all of the adults.
I ran. I ran to The Center as the sirens screamed and the air disappeared. My arms were doing a lot of the work but then I relaxed them when it was time to jump through hoops to get inside The Center. I felt the pocket of my sweater.
“YES!” I gasped as I hurriedly placed one of those old oxygen masks over my face in a clumsy way.
It felt so good to breathe.
Those masks were gifts from Him.
By God’s grace I was able to get in and I saw Lieutenant Shapiro at Mom’s station. Mom was on the ground passed out. I’m utterly ashamed to admit that I thought that Lieutenant Shapiro had hurt Mom. She looked frantic. I put a mask on Mom.
“I don’t know why the oxygen isn’t working!” I’m moving the lever; why isn’t it working? Save us, oh God!” she cried out.
I had never seen an adult behave this way except in movies. Her prayer somehow jolted my memory. I offered her a mask and rushed to the control panel.
“See this crack?” We have to replace the panel.” I shouted over the sirens and gestured towards the corner of the wall with all of the replacements behind glass.
“Please get the keys from Chief Officer Fuller,” Lieutenant Shapiro shouted pleasingly. “I would get in trouble for it.”
I saw his body on the floor and gently put a mask over his face.
The keys were on a lanyard around his neck. They sat on his chest.
I realized that I was possibly committing a crime.
“Oh, Lord,” I whispered through my mask. “Help.”
Fast forward after I successfully opened the wall, got the right oxygen panel replacement, located Mom’s screwdriver, fixed the problem, and then even did the temperature control panel too-
“Why aren’t you sick like the others?” I asked Lieutenant Shapiro.
“I’ve been wondering that too, and I think I’ve figured it out. Because I’m pregnant, I take different nutritional supplements than everyone else. Also, we’re supposed to take those in the morning but I prefer to take mine in the evening."
I remembered that Mom and Dad had opened new bottles that morning because they had finished the previous ones.
Later in the day the info got leaked that someone had allowed his child (I know that it was Julius.) to help prepare the supplements during the Shadowing experience earlier this month. Julius put in way too much glucose. Was it an accident? Was it intentional? Only the Lord knows.
What’s really important about this story is that Dr. Duke visited our living quarters in the afternoon.
He said that he recognized that he won’t live forever and, when his time comes, he would like to have peace with God. I led him in prayer,
“Dear God, Thank you for Jesus. I know that I’m a sinner. I know that Jesus paid for my sins. Thank you for forgiving me. I want to follow you. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.”
Mom took me to the dining area and Dad continued talking with Dr. Duke. Later we switched places and they came to the dining area and talked and prayed until after I went to sleep in our living quarters.
This morning someone called, “The Director” came from somewhere and commended me for my “clear-headed response during a time of unprecedented adversity.”
May you be glorified in all this, Lord.
Chapter 10: Praying and Packing
Dear Journal,
Zoe’s parents thanked me again. Julius visited and wanted to talk. Actually he seemed to need comfort. He had questions about sin and salvation and such. Even Amber sat down with me in the dining area and said that she had started listening to Bible recordings.
Now it’s time to bid farewell to magnificent Mars.
Packing doesn’t take long when there’s not much to pack.
Dear Lord,
I give you thanks and praise, Creator of the heavens above and the planets, and all who have ever lived or will ever live in this universe. Thank you for all of those who prayed for me and prepared me to be your hands and feet here. Thank you for letting me serve you, good God. I love you. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.
Chapter 12: Home Again
Dear Journal,
Today our family spoke at church and then there was a big luncheon to celebrate our safe return.
Maggie was there.
I thanked her for her prayers and told her that she was part of the work I did on the trip because God heard and answered those prayers she prayed.
She said that she hoped that she will be able to go there someday.
“I hope so too,” I said softly.