Revolution (Grace Vineyard Youth Group)

Congrats, Michael. Your story was awesome. The challenge was to create a story based upon a passage of the Bible in Isaiah Chapter 31. We then had people vote on whose story was the best. Michael won, and I think that though all the stories were very good, Michael's is so amazing that it is something people might actually even pay for. So, without more delay, here it is:

Entry #3

The sound of sandal clad feet pounding the packed dirt ground was followed by a cloud of dust, and a quickly receeding figure. Kerusso sucked in air like it was gaseous gold. He had been running for miles upon miles to bring his dire news to the Israelite camp. The sun baked his already dark skin to an unnatural brown, the flaking skin on his neck was a non-issue, the only thing that mattered to him was warning his friends and family about the impending danger. He ran hard, his feet had been bloodied and battered long before now, so he no longer felt the sharp pain when a stray rock found its way into an already oozing gash. He just ran.
Finally he crested a hill, and was rewarded with the sight of the myriad of tents that made the Israelite camp. Unfortunately this meant he now had to search the camp for the man he needed to speak to, which involved slowing down, and allowing the pain to catch up with his feet. But his mission was paramount, and the thought never crossed his mind again. He entered the camp, and for the first few minutes he was greeted by stares and hushed whispers, but after he was past the group that had seen his dramatic entrance to the camp, no one offered him more than a second glance. He walked slowly, taking time to peer methodically into every tent. Finally, after hours of searching, he found the man he had been searching for.
"Shamath! I have dire news my brother!"
"Kerusso! It is good to see you! Come, let me enjoy your company before you ruin my good mood with your news!"
"No Shamath! There is no time! We must act now!"
"What is wrong my brother? What is it that has you so agitated?"
Kerusso glanced quickly to either side, as if expecting all eyes to be on him,
"Not here, I do not wish to cause a panic. Meet me in your tent in half an hour. I must find rest and water before I collapse."
Shamath looked at him, the concern practically dripping from his eyes,
"Ok my brother, you have me worried now. Go rest your weary legs, then we will talk."
They clasped arms, communicated more than words could with their eyes in the brief seconds that passed, and then split, each marching purposefully in their respective direction.
Kerusso ducked under the low tent as he brushed flap out of his way, and then stretched to his full height once inside. His wife ran to him, stricken eyes glued to his feet.
"Oh my dear Kerusso! What have you done to yourself!? Your feet are a mess! How are you even standing!?"
"It only looks bad my love, the damage is merely superficial, no real harm. I will be fine with a few days rest."
"Oh no! These wounds require proper care!" She called to a servant to bring a bowl of water, along with balms.
"But Shaka!" he started, but one glare from his wife hushed him instantly. He sat quietly as crusted blood and caked mud dirtied the once pure water of the bowl. The cuts began to bleed again, with their plugs so carefully removed. Shaka gently applied the balms, whose herbs numbed the pain. After holding them in place for a moment, she used strips of fabric to tie them tightly in place. Kerusso looked tenderly into his wifes eyes, words never were his strong suit, but she knew this, and saw everything he meant to say in those coal black eyes. She returned the sentiment with a gentle touch of his cheek, and a kiss on the forehead as she stood. He watched her as she walked into the next room to get a wineskin for her husband.
"FATHER!" the shriek pierced the calm as two small boys burst into the tent.
" Father! You are home!"
"Yes Father! How was your trip!?"
Kerusso's eyes shone with a new light at the sight of his sons.
"Ahhh my boys! Come give me a hug!"
As they stood there embracing their father, Shaka appeared at the entrance, and smiled at the sight of her sons and their father.
"Tell us of your trip Father! Every detail! Why are your feet so damaged? What happened? Did you have to fight off an army of Egyptians?" inquired the youngest, Ishman
"Haha! No my son, I'm afraid my story is nowhere near as glorious as that, i will tell you all, but first i must speak with Shamath about my discoveries."
Shaka interjected at this point, "Must you be off again so soon? You have just returned! Can't you stay and rest with your family for a day or so?"
"No my dear, my news can not wait, it is of utmost importance."
Shaka sighed, but knew by the glimmer in Kerusso's eyes that arguing was pointless.
Kerusso looked at the faces of his sons, and his wife, and let a tear run down his cheek, unashamed. He stood, gathered them all in a massive hug, and held them close to himself before slowly walking out of the tent. As he walked through the camp, he could not help but imagine what would happen to his beloved family if he did not manage to somehow stop the impending threat.

Kerusso approached Shamath's tent, took a deep breath, and pushed past the flap. His friend was sitting on a pile of large pillows, laughing loudly with a group of men sitting around him. The laughter in his eyes was quickly replaced with concern when he saw Kerusso standing at the entrance, staring blankly at the far wall of the tent.
"Please, leave us." Shamath waved his company out of the tent. They weaved around Kerusso as he stepped forward and joined his friend on the pillows.
"What is this news that has stolen all joy from you my friend?" asked Shamath, his hand resting gently on Kerusso's shoulder.
"Its the Egyptian army... They are near. And they have come in force."
Shamath was taken aback, and stared at Kerusso for a minute or so before asking,
"You are certain of this?"
"Yes, i was at the edge of their camp myself! I ran two days to tell you!"
"Ok, Ok, I believe you, there is no need for yelling."
"I'm sorry Shamath. It's just... well i'm scared."
Shamath nodded, "How many were there?"
"They numbered at least a hundred thousand, if not more."
"A hundred thousand!? How could they have gathered such an army in so little time!?"
"i dont know, but they are out there, and they are heading toward us. We have only two choices, we can either run, or we can fight."
"It seems to me that fighting would be of little help, we have little in the way of an army, much less weapons or armor. The Egyptians are well equipped, the finest iron spears and swords, with grand chariots pulled by the fastest horses in all of Egypt."
Kerusso nodded his agreement,
"But, running will be of equally little use. We have the belongings of a nation to carry, not to mention small children and elderly who could not possibly out run a chariot."
"Then we have but one choice."
"Yes, i believe we are thinking the same thing."
"Shall we pray?"
"Yes."
Kerusso and Shamath instantly fell to their faces, wailing and crying out in strange tounges to the God who had delivered them from the hands of the Egyptians. For hours they lay there, pleading with the Lord to intercede on their behalf, to show them a way to save their people and familys from certain, and gruesome slaughter.
Suddenly, they were still. One could not tell, but God was giving them a vision. A vision of how to defeat the Egyptians, and save their families. When they came to, several hours later, they took one look at each other, and knew they had seen the same thing.
"We must begin preparing immediatly!" exclaimed Shamath.
"Yes, we must gather what soldiers we have, along with all the priests and prophets."
"And don't forget the children! All the children, not a single one can be left behind!"
And so they ran off to gather the people needed to destroy the Egyptians, very few of whom were actual soldiers.

Kerusso stood at the top of a dune on the outskirts of the camp, and watched as a multitude of people flowed around tents toward him. Never had he seen so unified a movement, not even among trained soldiers. A smile spread across his face as he recalled the vision he had seen. Suddenly a small group of men emerged from the crowd, yelling and shaking their fists as the quickly approached Kerusso. He felt his heart rise into his throat as he slowly realized their intentions.
"How dare you send children into battle against the most highly trained fighting force in Africa!?" Men shook fists, and swords at Kerusso.
"Please, Please, friends! Calm down, the Lord knows what He is doing, there is no need to worry about the children, they will be fine!"
"And how can you know that, oh godly one!? Who made you ambassador to God!?"
"The Lord sent me a vision, which indicated that He needed the children to play a vital role in defeating the Egyptians!"
"I won't allow you to send my sons to the slaughter at the hands of those barbarians!" the man swung his sword at Kerusso's neck. Time slowed as the blade sliced through the air between it's blood thirsty edge, and Kerusso's exposed neck. But at the point when the blade should have made contact, and stained the sand red, nothing happened. It passed right through the flesh, not leaving so much as a mark. Kerusso stepped toward the man, and asked him, "Now do you believe?"