CHAPTER 4-1
764 Words
CHAPTER 4
Jai-Bong threw his hat on the driver’s seat and dropped his coat down next to it. He strode up to the old man’s door, which opened before he could knock. Mr. Tong’s leathery face crinkled into a hundred wrinkled tributaries. “I heard your van as you pulled in. You are most welcome, Brother.” He swung the door open wide. “Your visits are always most refreshing to me.”
Jai-Bong returned the blind man’s bow and followed him into the house, where he frowned at the obligatory portrait of the Dear Leader. “You are doing well?” he asked.
“Quite.” Mr. Tong clasped Jai-Bong by his hands. “But I’m sorry, Brother. I only have plain tea to offer. I just gave a friend the rest of your ginseng this morning.”
“No matter.” Jai-Bong reached into his pocket and pulled out a small root. “You know I never come empty-handed.”
He took the gift in his shaking hands. “The Lord always provides for us, no?” His head bobbled back and forth as he ambled to the counter.
Jai-Bong took a chair and stretched out his legs. “So you had visitors today?”
“Just one.” Mr. Tong faced Jai-Bong. “And now two. The Lord has blessed me.”
“Indeed.” Jai-Bong studied the room. Two small sacks rested on the table. Nothing else had changed since his last visit.
Mr. Tong placed the kettle on the stove. “My first visitor brought me the greatest of gifts.”
Jai-Bong leaned forward. “Did he, now? How providential. Bibles, then?” Jai-Bong squinted and studied the room once more.
“She was young. With the voice of the angels.”
Jai-Bong frowned. “She?”
“Oh, yes.” Mr. Tong reached for a knife.
Jai-Bong stood up to help.
“I thought she must have someone else with her. For safety, no? But she said she was quite by herself.”
“Really?” Jai-Bong fingered his ring. “What was her name?”
“She was young. Not older than my beloved when we married.” While the tea steeped, Mr. Tong prattled on, telling Jai-Bong about the Bibles he would deliver to the people in his village. “I wish I were vigorous enough to travel the entire province like before.” The old man hung his head. “But at least some young ones now carry the work on for us, no?”
“It would be dangerous for a man in your condition to hike around North Hamyong with Bibles in your pockets.”
“I know, Brother. I know. But I still would if I had the strength, understand. But the good Lord must know what he’s doing. He allows me to serve him here, and he sends me company like you and ...”
“Me and who?” Jai-Bong leaned forward.
Mr. Tong paused until the gyrations in his torso slowed down a little. “She couldn’t tell me. It’s a shame, really. Most likely I’ll never learn her true name until we meet in heaven.”
Jai-Bong fingered his badge. “Yes. A shame.” His head was racing with information, but the blind man kept prattling. When the tea was ready, they sat and drank, and Mr. Tong spilled more than he sipped. Jai-Bong waited as long as cultural etiquette demanded and then cleared his throat. “I fear it’s time I should be going.”
“Won’t you sing a hymn with me first?” Mr. Tong clutched Jai-Bong’s wrist.
Jai-Bong frowned and looked out at his van. “You know that would be dangerous.”
“A prayer, then. Stay a moment, and I will pray over you, no?”
Jai-Bong scowled out the window. It would be dark by the time he got back to work. “Of course.” He stooped his head.
“Our most gracious heavenly Father ...”
Jai-Bong stood up straight, his eyes opened wide, while the old man prayed. A girl. Delivering Bibles.
“How I praise you for my brother, who comes to refuel my weary spirit and blesses me with his fellowship.”
Young. Traveling alone.
“I ask your protection and grace to go before him. Strengthen him for the work you’ve called him to. Encourage him for the tasks ahead of him.”
Probably fresh from across the border. From that Secret Seminary in Yanji, maybe?
“Keep him safe from those who would try to harm him. Protect him from the eyes of the National Security Agency and the neighbors who might turn him in.”
Who had sent her? And was she really by herself?
“Most of all, bless him with the presence of your Holy Spirit and sustain him until the day North Korea embraces the gospel or until you call him home.”
Jai-Bong didn’t linger. After a hasty “Amen,” a few exchanged bows, and a promise to visit again soon, Jai-Bong shut the cabin door behind him. Safe in his van, the National Security agent punched a button on his handheld radio.
“This is General Sin. I’m coming in right now.”
***
- Writer
