Chapter 15 - Page 204 - The Village Has A New Name

   Everyone raised their hands. As the people clapped and cheered, the mayor rapped his gavel on the table. The audience settled down. Thamish waited until the last voice fell silent before he continued. “Did anyone not vote for Angel Town?”

   Nobody raised their hand.

   “From this day forward,” Thamish announced, “our village will be known as Angel Town.” Before everyone started clapping and cheering again, he added, “This meeting is adjourned.”

   One week later, a large sign was erected at the entrance to the village: Angel Town

We want the hungry and the homeless.

We welcome the sick and the lame.

We love the elderly and the orphan.

We seek the unloved and the unwanted.

   In time, every man, woman, and child grew to love the words on that sign.

   During the next four weeks, Jim, Rhasha, Shanha, Jackie, and Simbatu prepared for their trip to the United States. Jim arranged for Shanha’s education to continue through correspondence with her teacher. He enrolled Rhasha for a correspondence course as well. He also planned to be Rhasha and Shanha’s teacher for the next two months.

   Rhasha and Shanha applied for expedited passports. Rhasha had very little trouble acquiring hers, but Shanha was denied a passport because neither Jim nor Rhasha was her legal guardian.