Chapter 6

Chapter Six

-Rosalyn-

-Sunday, November 20-

“Wow!” I exclaimed as we sat down once more around the table. “God is so good!”

Looking around the table, I smiled.

“I think tupilak safe now.” Ersta smiled back.

“I don’t know.” Abby said thoughtfully. “I think there will still be trouble.”

“Why do you say that, Abby?” I wondered.

Only then did she tell us what she had seen outside.

“Are you sure it wasn’t just some Greenlanders leaving?” Ersta questioned.

“Maybe you’re right, Ersta. I guess I am just getting a bit jumpy. Anyway I’m famished, can we finish eating?”Abby asked as she filled her mouth with bacon.

Laughing, Esta picked up the plate of bacon. “Let me heat it all up first. It has been sitting here all day!”

“I wouldn’t bother, this is great,!” Abby assured her as she helped herself to her second waffle.

“Very well, would you like some bacon, Rosy?” Ersta asked, as she passed it to me. I don’t like bacon one bit, but I didn’t want to be rude. So I reluctantly put a small peice on my plate. Looking up I saw Abby watching me with a smirk.

Smiling, I playfully kicked her under the table as I handed her the plate.

-Monday, November 21-

I woke up with a start. What woke me? I wondered as I lay in bed.

Then I heard it again, a noise coming from the main room.

I slipped out of bed silently, not wanting to wake Abby.

My feet tingled as they touched the cold stone floor.

Pulling a blanket around my shoulders, I tiptoed towards the the door leading into the dining, and kitchen area.

Slowly, I opened it and peeked out. Ersta slept soundly on the mattress she had put on the floor for herself.

I glanced around and then tiptoed out of my room.

Did I imagine it? I wondered after seeing nothing unusual.

Clank!

The sound came from the door. Suddenly I realized what was happening, someone was trying to break into the house.

Quickly I ran to Ersta and shook her awake.

“Ersta! Ersta, someone is trying to break the lock on the door!”

She sat up straight instantly alert.

“Quickly”  she whispered, “Help me remove portrait off wall, we get tupilak.”

Together we lifted it off the wall, revealing the secret safe.

Leaning close to Ersta so as not to be heard, I asked,

“Wouldn’t it be safer to leave it here in the safe?”

As she lifted the tupilak out of its hiding place, Ersta replied.

“No, you take tupilak with you. It too dangerous here for you, you leave my house tonight.” She was interrupted by another clank from the door “ I will miss you, sister.” she continued, wiping a tear from her eye.

Quickly we replaced the painting on the wall before hurrying into the room Ersta had let us use.

“Wake up, Abby.” I whispered, shaking her.

She groaned, rolled over, and kept on sleeping.

“Abby. Please wake up!” I urged, shaking her even harder.

She sat up slowly and looked at me blankly.

“What did you say?” She asked in an unimpressed voice.

As I told her the outline of what was happening, she quickly jumped out of bed.

“How do we get out?” She panicked.

I shrugged my shoulders, not realizing that Abby probably couldn’t see my reply in the dark room.

While I tried to get Abby out of bed, Ersta had started setting our things under the lone picture on the wall.

“How will we get out unnoticed?” Abby asked, a little calmer than before. “Won’t there be people guarding all the windows?”

“Yes, there probably be people by windows. That why you not use window to go.” Ersta replied.

Curiously we walked over to where she was standing in front of the picture.

I hadn’t paid attention to the painting before but now as the moon shone on it I looked closer, it was a beautifully painted ladder leading up to heaven with angels of God ascending and descending on it. On the bottom right corner was the reference to the bible where the story is found. It reminded me of the stories I've read about how the people in the underground railroad used the signal as a symbol to show the runaway slaves that it was a safe place.

     As we watched, Ersta put her finger in the middle of the third rung of the ladder in the picture, and pushed. Silently the frame moved to the side revealing an opening into the mountain.

“Another secret opening? Wow!” Abby said in amazement.

Just then the lock broke on the front door and we heard hushed voices in the kitchen.

“Quick, Climb in!” Ersta whispered urgently, throwing our bags ahead of us into the tunnel. “I am going to act like I am  sleeping.”

We stepped out of the house and into the entrance of the tunnel.

I immediately sensed the change in the air, instead of the house’ warm homey feeling, the tunnel was dark and musty and smelled of wet dust.

   The place where we stood was spacious but on both sides of the hollow were narrow tunnels leading in different directions.

Turning back to Ersta, Abby hesitated.

“Are you sure you will be alright?”

Ersta just smiled and answered.

“When everything  settled here, I tell you how to get to boat docks safely. I sure you would get lost in tunnels without me. Just wait here until people leave.”

With that, the the door slid shut leaving us in total darkness.

I heard some shuffling in the bedroom and then the bed squeak as Ersta lay down.

I grasped Abby’s hand. “We need to pray.”

In a hushed voice I began. “Lord, please give Ersta wisdom to know-”

My words were interrupted by shouts in the Greenlandic language that I could not understand, and banging on the door of the bedroom.

They probably think we got away. I thought to myself.

Amongst all the noise I could faintly hear Ersta shuffle slowly out of bed and towards the door as if she had been asleep.

There was a sudden hush as the door creaked open. Then to our surprise and dismay an english voice, one I recognized from the bus back home, spoke up.

“Where are they?” He demanded harshly

I leaned close to Abby’s ear. “It’s that Antonio guy!”

I was hushed by Abby’s warning hand on my shoulder.

“They? I sorry, but you must clarify.” Ersta replied calmly, more so than I ever could.

There was a bang as if someone hit the door frame.

“You know who I am talking about! The two girls, where are they?” He yelled  impatiently.

“Ah, you mean my guests? They  no longer in my little home.”

I smiled to myself. She was right. We were just outside of her house!

“Where did they go?” He growled. “Tell me where they went!”

Ersta calmly sighed. “I have not seen them since I closed the door after they stepped out.” I almost chuckled but kept it back for fear of being heard.

“I do not believe you. Men, search the house inside and out.” He ordered. “We will find that Tupilak.”

Suddenly the whole house erupted into noises of shouts, scraping furniture as they were being moved, and orders from Antonio.

“What do you want with the Tupilak?” Ersta questioned as she watched her house being searched, unconcerned.

“There is a lot of things you could buy with the money it could bring.” He boasted. “And it will be all mine!”

“‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ 1 Timothy 6:10” Ersta said with passion in her voice.

“No! Money is the greatest thing a man can have!” He retorted.

“‘For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?’ Sir, Money  buy you things in this world. But it cannot save your soul. when you die all your stuff and money will stay , with no value to you.

My question is, where  you go if you die tonight--”

“Stop! I am not planning to to die yet!” He roared angrily.

She replied calmly.

“Nobody know when they will die. Only God know. He gives life and he take life--”

“Stop, I said stop! I will hear no more.” He stomped off shouting, “Let’s go men. They are not here.”

There was a sound of boots clattering and then a slam of the door announcing that the last man had left.

Chapter 5

Chapter Five

-Abigail-

-Saturday, November 19-

As we walked back to the little house on the cliff, I tried to imprint the image in my mind. A beautiful sunset shimmering on the seas of Greenland. For so long, I have hoped, prayed, for an opportunity to walk these shores. I breathed in the wonderful smell.

God is so good. What an imagination He has to create something so unexplainable! Incomprehensive, if you truly think about it, about the complicatedness of everything He has created.

Rosy and I  walked in silence the rest of the way back to Ersta’s home. The door creaked when we opened it and warmth surrounded us. My skin tingled as it thawed and I could feel my nose again. Ersta was sound asleep on the mattress, looking sweet.

“Shall we go to bed?” I quietly suggested. It had been a long day.

Rosy nodded. “We shall.”  And so we did.

-Sunday, November 20-

Sunlight shone through lacy curtains, turning my eyelids red underneath them, waking me from wild dreams.

I felt something wet on my hand. I grimaced and wiped my drool off of it. Rosy was snugly lying next to me, or at least her head was, the rest of her was sprawled whimsically  over a large portion of the bed. I shook with suppressed giggles, for in my mind, she looked quite funny indeed!

Rosy stirred and rolled over into a more natural position.

“Mm…. mrbl..mf…” she mumbled, then yawned and sat up.

“Good morning. What’s the time?” She murmured as she brushed her hair out of her face. My hair didn’t look any tamer.

“Good morning. It’s six.” I replied. Her eyes got big, and she abruptly plopped back down on the bed and threw the blanket over herself. I laughed, nearly falling off of what little bed I was sitting on, knowing that  Rosy does not know what a morning is, since it seems she has never woken up to one.

Feeling mischievous, I noted that Rosy was on the edge of the bed, so I nonchalantly walked over to the other side of the bed and pushed her legs over the side of the bed, then I hurried out, a loud thump and Rosy’s scream  resounded.  

I ran out before she could see me, laughing all the way.

Ersta was already up and had breakfast cooking, laughing at our antics. “You are mischief maker, I see.”

I grinned, my cheeks warming. I hugged her. “Good morning to you. Can I help with breakfast?”

She smiled gratefully. “  Kumoorn. Thank you. Bacon need to fry. Table to set.”

Rosy walked into the kitchen glaring at me, trying not to grin.

“Good morning. Or night, more like. Can I help?”

It was wonderful with all of us in the kitchen together, the sizzle of bacon frying, the delicious smells rising, the sunlit room.

It was a homey atmosphere, and I wished it wouldn’t end.

Soon breakfast was ready and we all sat down and joined hands.

Ersta prayed,

“Jesus, I thank you that You have brought these wonderful girls to my home. They lighten my heart very much and bring much laughter. Thank you for their trust in You and their wanting to do Your will. Keep them safe in their journey. Thank You for this food before us. Amen”

We echoed ‘amen’s and began eating our waffles, bacon, milk, and sausage. Actually, we drank the milk, not ate it.

Was that voices I was hearing? I stopped chewing and listened. Yes, it sounded like people outside, many of them. A mob? I thought of what Ersta said yesterday about Greenlanders wanting our tupilak.

Could Antonio and his fellow goon have told them? Why would they?

Ersta and Rosy took notice of me sitting stock still, my mouth full of eggs, then seemed to notice the commotion outside.

Ersta immediately got up and peeked through the curtains, then drew them closed quickly.

“Many people. They want tupilak, I know. I do not know what they do to get it, but want bad enough, it get ver’ ugly.” she said, her face scared. “Be careful.”

My heart thumped behind my ribs, the sound echoed in my head.

I grabbed Rosy’s hand in silent prayer as my head dotted with perspiration. I knew what God wanted me to do, but I was afraid to do it. I closed my eyes for a second, then heard Ersta’s quiet voice.

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7”

I let out a shaky breath, then stood up to meet the people gathered at the door.

As soon as we stepped onto the porch, a torrent of excited, angry and anxious voices roared in our ears.

The group was considerably large, and they were all shouting and waving money, wallets, and other valuables in the air.

Ersta shouted some words I didn’t understand, and waved her arms, trying to quiet the people down.

They finally quieted, and lowered their arms, then one shouted out something in Kalaallisut.

“They want to buy tupilak.” Ersta translated to us. “They give anything. Anything.”

I rubbed my chin thoughtfully.  

“We won’t sell it. They won’t give up. What should we do?” I asked.

Rosy and Ersta were silent for awhile, and the group of Greenlanders were growing restless.

“We tell them truth. We tell them that tupilak have no power; we tell them of One with true power,” Ersta said determinedly.

We gave a firm nod.

“We will not sell the tupilak. It is powerless. It is a myth.” I told the people, then Ersta translated. At hearing this, they all began shouting.

“They displeased that you say it powerless, not real. They ask why.”

Ersta told me.

Rosy and I conversed back and forth with the Greenlanders, sharing the Gospel with them. They asked questions about Jesus, or began yelling angrily in protest.  

During those times, I raised both of my hands in the air in hopes of settling them down.

“Please, listen!” I shouted, Ersta immediately translating with the same urgency in her voice. Then they would calm down and listen, as we continued reaching out to this group of people.

We talked to them for hours, now they were all sitting quietly, listening without interruptions, except for an occasional question. Dusk fell, and the people left in peace, without the tupilak.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw four shadows creep from behind the rocks.

Chapter 4

Chapter Four

-Rosalyn-

Saturday, November 19

“Can I see that?” I asked Abby. “Sure” she replied, handing me the sword. I have always been interested in swords and vikings.

“Why would someone send us this?” I questioned, confused.

“How does this connect with the tupilak?”

Until now Ersta had only been listening, but when I mentioned the tupilak she suddenly sat up straight in her chair.

“Did you say tupilak?” she asked in a scared voice. I looked over at Abby, she looked as puzzled as I felt.

“Yes, I did. Is there something wrong?” I asked quickly.

Slowly Ersta rose from her chair, walked over to the door and quickly yanked it open. Hurriedly she went outside and disappeared around the corner of the house.

“This is very strange.” Abby whispered when Ersta still hadn’t returned. I looked around, the stone house Ersta lived in was fairly small with a table surrounded by four chairs. The wall was pretty bare except for two windows one on either side of the house, and a door leading outside  facing away from the cliff. There was also another door that I assumed lead into her room. On the wall against the cliff hung a large portrait of the sea.

“I think she knows something we don’t.” I replied just as Ersta came back around the other corner of the house.

When she sat down across from us again she had relaxed a bit, but her face was still very pale.

“What’s wrong, Ersta?” Abby asked worriedly.

Looking around again, Ersta finally took a deep breath and explained.

“There is group here in Greenland that still believe in tupilak, I  one of them before I become Christian. They  do anything to get one. Because  hardly anybody believe that anymore, they have no shaman to make one for them that they believe actually has magic.” She explained, then asked, “You have a real tupilak?”

“Yes. We don’t know who sent it to us, though.” Abby answered.

“This group, they still believe all that nonsense?” I asked. It surprised me that people still believed in that kind of thing after all these years.

“Yes, the belief was passed down the generations, my parents believed in tupilak and taught me also. It is only by grace of God that I saw the truth.” She smiled as she offered us another cookie.

I declined, but Abby accepted  it absentmindedly, as she thought about our situation. She looked pensive, soon she reached for another. I watched her stare into nowhere and realized she didn’t know how many cookies she was actually eating. I giggled as I watched her.  

“Does anybody know you have tupilak?” Ersta questioned.

I thought a bit. Yes, there were people after us, but did they know we had the tupilak with us?  Yes, they would have to know, why else would they follow us?

Abby was the one to answer. “I think some men from back where we are from know we have it. They followed us here, to Greenland.”

“That no good. They cause trouble if group know there tupilak in Greenland.” she answered worriedly.  “May I see?”

I hadn’t let my suitcase out of my sight the whole trip. And had also taken it along into the house when we arrived. I didn’t want to take any chances.

“I am sure that would be fine.” I answered when Abby had given her consent.

I opened my suitcase and carefully took out the tupilak. I had wrapped it in cloth to keep it from damage as we traveled.

“Here it is.”

I set it on the table, Ersta gasped when I removed the cloth.

“Many people will want this tupilak, you must hide it.”, she whispered, looking around again.

“Do you have a safe place?” I questioned.

I thought it would probably be better to keep it in a safe hiding spot instead of carrying it around in my suitcase all over the place.

“Aap, yes, I think I do.” she stood up, walked over to the window, and looked outside once more before walking to the portrait. Gently she lifted it off the hook, it looked heavy, so Abby and I quickly ran over to help. Carefully lowering it, we leaned it against the wall.

Behind where the portrait had been there was an outline of a small door. All Ersta had to do was press on it  and the wall  popped open revealing a safe behind it.

“Isn’t this kinda cliché? You know, having a safe behind a picture?”

I asked jokingly.

“Yes, it so ‘cliché’ as you say, that I thought no one would think of it!” she answered with a laugh.

     I felt relieved having the tupilak in a fairly safe place.

Abby and I decided to spend the night in this home of our sister in Christ.

After supper,  Ersta brought a single mattress out of the adjoining room, and set it in the open front room.

She graciously gave us her own bedroom.  We kindly thanked her, and asked if she wouldn’t mind if we would take a stroll before we settled in for the night.  With a smile that reached her eyes, she said, “Come and go as you please, my house your house.”

    Ever since Abby saw the icy beaches of Greenland from the air, she hasn't stopped pestering me to go walk on them.

That is, when we weren't busy running from villains, and meeting new people. I guess she hasn't pestered me as much as it first felt!

As we walked on the beach, with the fresh chilly air blowing our hair, we sensed God's amazing love for us. The waves were lapping at the shore and hundreds of stars were now visible in the clear sky. We stood in awe of the big pieces of ice lying on the stony beach. The love of God that surged through us as we stood looking at His wonderful creation washed away all sense of fear and danger.  

In the stillness of the night air, God once again reminded us that He is in control.

“Isn’t it gorgeous?” remarked Abby quietly, afraid to break the peaceful silence.

“It makes one wonder how God even sees us sinful humans through all His majestic beauty. He even sent His own Son to die in our place, to pay for our penalty of death, and rose from the dead, so that we may have eternal life. He made us in His image.” I spoke in amazement and awe.

Abby spoke up once more, “And that's why we are on these expeditions, to get the gospel message out there.”

“Isn’t it wonderful to live in the will of God?” I whispered breathlessly.

“It  sure is!”Abby said enthusiastically.

The air was steadily getting colder, so we headed back to the house.

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

-Abigail-

Friday, November 18

Finally, I can relax! I hate airports. They are so confusing, and busy!

I thought I would never find Rosy. My head still swam from the bustle and the hundred times I had to ask directions to the same place.  

Now we are in the air, the hum of the jet’s engine thrumming in my ear, sleep tugging my eyelids. But, I could not sleep, my mind was wide awake, buzzing with too many thoughts.

I was tense, thinking about the men Rosy had seen on the bus.

I look at her, and I can see she is nervous; either from flying or the thought of being followed by thieves. I think it is both.

I smile and take her hand. “Let’s pray?” I suggest.

I can see her relax, then she smiles and nods, then I begin.

“Jesus, keep us safe on our journey, and give us wisdom. Let the glory be to you in this. Thank you for this opportunity. Amen. ”

Rosy remembered a verse, and said aloud, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;”

We both felt much better now, and I could see the calm on Rosy’s face.

As I am unable to sleep, I got out our laptop and began recording our journey, writing everything down from receiving the package to now.

It gave me a headache, so I decide to practice Kalaallisut with Rosy.

Later, while I am walking to the bathrooms, I pass two men.

They are watching me.

I quickly turn my eyes away, hoping they did not notice that I saw them, my heart beating so loud I was afraid it would be heard.

Once I returned to my seat, I, in hushed tones, filled Rosy in on the men who were watching us.

Stealthily, sort of, Rosy makes a quick peek over her shoulder.

She whips her head around, her eyes are wide and she looks slightly pale.

“Those are the two men who were talking about us on the bus!” she squeaks.

I sigh disappointedly, but of course they wouldn’t just let us get away when they have just been talking about us and following us this morning.

I sigh again. I do not like being followed by crooks.

I almost sigh once more, then decide to educate myself on Greenland instead, as it seemed to be the more practical thing to do.

Soon my head nods, my eyes close, and  I lull off into sleep, dreaming of Antonio and his partner, chasing, always chasing, reaching for us.

My legs will not move.

Antonio’s fingers reach for my neck; I scream.

I am being shaken violently, then the dream vanishes.

Rosy is staring at me, with some shock, I note.

So is every passenger on the jet, including the two men.

I swallow, still shaking, then breathe deep and try my best to act natural.

I don’t think it is working, so I just ignore the stares.

The rest of the flight to Greenland, I stay calm, but I hear people whispering about me. I sink into my seat and do my best to camouflage in.

“How do these things manage to  happen?” I ask Rosy despairingly.

She grins. “You’re Abby.”

That is all the explanation I need. This is going to be a miserable flight.

We will only be arriving tomorrow. I think maybe I shall cry.

-Saturday, November 19-

I slept well, surprisingly, considering yesterday’s events.

I do feel slightly nauseous, though. I am not used to sleeping in the sky.

I wonder how the pilot stays awake, if he indeed had.

I didn’t want to think of that.

We would be landing today, Lord willing, and thank goodness.

Later in the afternoon, the pilot’s voice crackles through the intercom telling passengers to prepare to land. I hug Rosy with force and she laughs at my silliness.

And I am always the one who is talking about wanting to fly. Balderdash.

A little while later, we are landed!

It is cold outside, and my jacket is in my suitcase, so I shiver in my sweatshirt.

Rosy has thought ahead and kept her jacket by our seats, so she is warm, that smart girl.

We get our luggage, then look around.

“What do we do now?” Rosy asks. I am wondering the same thing, then I see a man with a sign that says our names.

“Look! I think there is our ride.” I tell her, so we jog over.

When we reach the man, he smiles broadly and  says, “Tikilluarit!” Welcome.

“Qujan. Qanoq ateqarpit?” I thank him and ask his name.

His name is Daavi and when we ask how he knew we were coming and why he was waiting for us,  he explains in broken English and hand gestures that he was told to rent a car for us and meet us at the airport. He does not know who it was that told him, it was just a note and some money.

Daavi gives us the keys and bids us good luck and goodbye.

We get in the car, and Rosy takes out the address that was in the box with the tupilak. Thankfully, there is a GPS in the car;

I can hardly find my way from one street to another back home.

The GPS takes us out of the city and into a desolate place, there are no people, no traffic, hardly a house to be seen. A place of dismal emptiness.

Finally, we arrive at a lone house on a cliff by the sea.

We walked up to the door, then looked at one another.

Rosy motioned for me to do the knocking and talking, which I did.

The door creaked and a little old woman, with long black hair and black twinkling eyes, stepped out.

Wrinkles fanned out across her face when she smiled. “Aluu. Ajunngilatit?”

She is  greeting us and asking how we are doing

“Ajunngilanga. Illimmi qanoq ippit?” I reply.

“Ajunngilanga, qujanaq.” Her smile broadens. “Qanoq ateqarpit?”

We introduced ourselves, then she introduced herself as Ersta.

She invited us in and began warming water, and placed brownies and cookies on the table. “Tuluttut oqaluttarpi?” I ask.

She smiles. “Yes, I do. Would you like some coffee, or hot chocolate?” she replies with a thick accent.

“Coffee, please.” we both say simultaneously with relief. It is hard communicating when we know so little of the language.

Soon we were all sitting around the table sipping coffee and eating treats.

“It seems like you have been expecting us. It isn’t coincidence that there are fresh cookies and brownies, is it?” Rosy asked.

“Yes, I expect you. I cannot say who tell me. You find out sometime. I am friend of who send you tupilak.” She bit into her cookie.

“I get package today. Note tell me to give to you.” She got up and went into the next room. She returned with a cardboard box.

We cut the tape and opened it. I grasped the hilt of a thousand year old  vikings sword hilt. The blade was broken off about three inches from the guard. I could barely make out some writing on the remainder of the  blade.

I brushed some of the rust and dirt off.

“Old Norse.” Ersta says. “Icelandic viking sword.”

There is a piece of paper taped on the end of the pommel.

“Elliðaár.”

That is all. No address; but there is a boat fare.