In a husky voice he said, "I'm so happy for you!"
I kissed him with all the passion that I felt for him, but surprisingly he broke it off after only a short moment.
In surprise I looked at him only to hear him ask, "Want to have a bonfire?"
"Yes!!!"
*****
I watched the box burn brightly along with its contents on the fire made from dried palm branches. I pressed back against Colt lovingly in whose strong arms I rested.
I was so blessed, but especially with the man I was blessed to share the rest of my life with. He hadn't even asked to see what was inside the box. I'd have let him look, but it meant more to me to know that he preferred the woman that I was now to what I had once been.
I wanted to bless him for being so caring and I smiled as an idea came to mind. He'd have to wait for a little while though as our bonfire had attracted attention.
I left Colt's arms with Bible in hand and went to the center of a natural seating area and waited as Islanders and sailors from both sides of a war that was finally over sat down around me as if drawn by a force that none could see. I saw Captain Hiro make his way down to sit in the sand moments later to be joined by the old chief of the village.
The headman of the village looked around and said, "My people, in my heart I sense the need for change. I believe she is the change I've waited for in expectation. Listen and may we learn together as to what she will teach us."
Captain Hiro nodded and added, "Likewise. Listen men. This woman's faith is strong. It is good to listen to what she has to say."
I looked at the suddenly crowded throng gathered all around me that stared at me expectantly as if I was a messenger from heaven. I swallowed away the last of my reservations in a desperate unspoken prayer for help before I began to speak, "I am but a woman. A woman redeemed by grace. A redemptive grace unearned by anything that I've ever done or could do in this life to merit such redeeming favor from my Creator. I want to share with you by opening the words of this book that was written by the hand of God, the life saving knowledge of the Savior who came and lived as a man and was sacrificed for all of us who have fallen deeply into sin. It is not I that will teach you, but rather it is the Spirit of the living God ministering through me to you so that you might know the truth and by acknowledging that truth be set free by the redeeming blood of Jesus."