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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Leadership (03/14/05)
January, 1944

Dear Gerard,

Please give Henri shelter for a few days. I urged him to bring you this letter, at great risk to himself. We are all being watched.

We received a message from Emil. He says that the gendarmes and their Vichy cohorts are coming for me soon. Perhaps this week. I am going to leave for a time, so you may not hear from me for awhile. Please pray for Claudette. She worries so, although she tries to hide it for my sake.

I confess to you, my cousin and spiritual brother, that which I say to no other: I am feeling some regrets over this course we have chosen. Not for myself - to face what God gives is the lot of every Christian. He has given me the work, and I will see it through. No, it is for the people that I fear. They are all in danger because of me. Two years ago I thought I counted the cost of our actions, but the payment is approaching, and weak that I am, I waver. I know now the agony of Gethsemane - “Father, may this cup pass.” Not for me, but for the village. For you, even, dear Gerard. I can’t bear to think of your children, and Luci. Please tell her I pray for you, and them, daily.

I must face it: some may die because of me. I have set them on this path. It was my preaching, my authority that persuaded them. God gave me the task, but I could not do it without them. So they followed where I led. I have rejoiced over the people’s willingness to risk so much for the sake of Abraham’s children. The rumors we hear from Germany - even if they are highly exaggerated, as some claim, only prove to us the rightness of our course.

I have led them, yes, but I know you would remind me that I in turn am led by God. Such conceit, you would say! You are but the messenger. We have all followed God. Gerard, this is true. But to be His instrument, for such a thing! I am a shepherd of the flock. Surely that means to protect, to lead away from danger, not march toward it? In protecting some, I risk others. This is the cross I bear. I fear it will crush me. The nights pass slowly, sometimes.

I must remember that God has protected us so far. He may yet see us through safely. How long can this war last? Surely He cannot allow this evil to continue for much longer. Always there are rumors of the Allies coming soon. One of these times it must be true! Pray, Gerard, pray. The Vichy and their Nazi masters cannot be allowed to win!

But how much longer can we hold out? The raids are increasing. Only yesterday they came again, to Marcel’s house. They found nothing, thank the Lord. We were warned in time. I got there just as they were leaving. The major threw around the usual threats.

And so I pray, and beg God that He would be merciful. Be careful, Gerard. I trust I will write again soon. In the meantime, Claudette will be in touch. Please forgive my weaknesses that are shown in this letter. A man must have someone with whom he can be honest, and God has given me you. Pray for me, that I would do what is required of me, and be faithful no matter what comes. Pray for the people, that God would protect them.

Your loving cousin,
Benoit



Author’s note: this is dedicated to Pastor Andre Trocme, spiritual leader of the largely Protestant area surrounding the village of Le Chambon, France. In 1942 he persuaded his congregation to shelter Jewish refugees from the Vichy regime. From 1942-1945 a total of 5,000 were either sheltered there or passed through to safety across the border to Switzerland. Pastor Trocme was eventually arrested, but released after a few weeks. He went into hiding, but the people continued the work. His cousin, Daniel, was arrested and died in Majdanek concentration camp, in Poland.
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This article has been read 1383 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Criss Bertling
03/22/05
Rivoting entry - I have been deeply touched and truly blessed by this beautiful expose of the heart of a servant leader.
Lynne Gaunt
03/22/05
Very well done. I love the fact that it is based on a truely heroic charcter and those who were faithful to follow him. Creative approach in telling your story through a letter - made me relate to the man's feelings better I think. Nice work!
Kathy Cartee
03/23/05
Excellent entry. A picture of leadership from the heart.
very well expressed.

Kathy
Suzanne R
03/24/05
WOW! I was interested to read the detail at the end - and went back and cast my eye over it afresh. Beautifully written. And challenging, too.
KAREN FASIG
03/24/05
This touched my heart. I am in the process of compiling a biography of a woman who endured through WWII and got her family to the USA.

Very well done.
Nancy Hardy
03/25/05
A most stellar entry! What Benoit viewed as weakness, in himself, reflected how truly strong a man of God and character he was. Oh, that I could be that 'weak'. Fantastic job!! - Nancy
donna robinson
03/25/05
Wonderful story telling here. We hear his love for God, his fear for the followers and the determination, though saddened, for the work to continue. We talk of courage today, he lived it. Great style of writing and I really appreciated the explanation at the end too
Delores Baber
03/26/05
Excellent writing style! Brings to life events that occured when I was an infant and safely in America. Even now there are those risking their lives to protect Christians in other parts of the world. Jews and Christians will always have enemies who seek to destroy them. Thanks for reminding us that we live in a dangerous world. But we are loved by our Lord.
Chris Miller
03/28/05
Congratulations! Great work. I agree that the letter was an interesting medium for your ideas.
Deborah Porter 
03/30/05
Lisa, congratulations on this outstanding win. 1st place in both the Level 2 Champion Challenge as well as in the Editor's Choice is really quite a credit to you. I know that you wrote on your member page that you are a beginning writer, but I think you've moved well beyond that now. So from next quarter, it's time for you to move on up to the Advanced Level (Level 3). You are more than ready for it. Congratulations again! With love, Deb (Challenge Co-ordinator)
Karen Treharne
03/30/05
This is a beautifully told story, Lisa. A true blessing to read. You have a wonderful voice and style. I look forward to reading more of your work. Yours in Christ's name, Karen
Peter Lawson
09/11/07
lisa, i must commend your initiatives and creative ability to put such a good piece as a dedication to a bravo...may the lord bless u real good and add to your knowledge.