Chapter 21 - Page 299 - Lost In The Woods

   Jackie and Simbatu woke up and began looking out the window, trying to see where they were. They couldn't see anything but clouds. When the two men heard the news about Shanha's mother, they looked sad too.

   Hoping to cheer everyone up, Jim walked to where the instruments were stowed and found his guitar. He sat down facing Rhasha and Shanha and began strumming on the guitar. The girls' faces lit up.

   "This little light of mine, Lord, I'm gonna let it shine." Jim propped his foot on the seat and laid the guitar across his leg as he sang. "This little light of mine, Lord, I'm gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, Lord, I'm gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine."

   Rhasha and Shanha joined in on the second verse. "Jesus gave me light, now I'm gonna let it shine. Jesus gave me light, now I'm gonna let it shine."

   The company jet slipped through the high blue sky as the sweet melody ascended to heaven. They sang until the wheels touched down on the runway in Africa, and Mario slowed the silver plane almost to a stop.

   Minutes later, the passengers disembarked and loaded the luggage and instruments into Jim's jeep. Jim climbed into the front passenger seat and Jackie, Shanha, and Simbatu sat in the back seat. Rhasha reclaimed her position as driver. As Rhasha drove toward Angel Town, dodging pot holes and slowing for curves, everyone began singing. Rhasha sang along with the others.

   "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so. Little ones to him belong, they are weak, but he is strong. Yes, Jesus loves me, yes, Jesus loves me. Yes, Jesus loves me, the Bible tells me so."

   The singing eased Rhasha's pain, but when she turned off the main road onto the Angel Town road, Jim could see tears slowly running down her cheeks. He squeezed her hand gently to let her know everything would be okay.