This transformative moment between Eustis and Enzo highlights the power of connection and shared faith amidst dire circumstances. As they navigate the challenges of their environment, their newfound partnership offers a glimmer of hope and purpose. Get your copy of Missionary To Mars today.Eustis laid back on the mattress as Enzo unpacked his belongings. The kid tossed a small bag onto Eustis’ bed.
“What’s this?”
“I knew you didn’t have any of your stuff with you when you got locked up, so I gathered some of your things. I thought you might need them.” Eustis looked into the bag, filled with a thoughtful array of useful items.
“Oh, man! A toothbrush. Thanks. My mouth tastes like something crawled in there and died.” He was about to upend the bag on his bed when Enzo reached out and stopped him.
“I put your Bible in there,” Enzo whispered as he held the opening of the bag closed. “I wouldn’t let anyone see it, especially not in Maroon Town. They’d kill you for a silver filling. What do you think they’d do if they saw a priceless antique artifact? Of course, the joke would be on them because when they tried to pawn it, they’d discover they were in possession of a highly illegal relic. Anyway, best not to let anyone know you have it.”
Eustis took the bag and fastened the buttons at the top. When it was secure under his bed, he watched Enzo organizing his things in the eerie light.
“You’re useful to have around, you know?” Eustis said after a few quiet moments.
Enzo laughed but didn’t say anything.
“I mean it. You’re street smart or space smart. Or whatever you’d call it.” Eustis rubbed his chin. “Not to mention, you’re a believer now, which I am still trying to wrap my mind around. It just couldn’t be a coincidence.”
“What?”
“Well, you were right.” Eustis stood and paced around the bunk. “What you said earlier. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m really lost out here, but you’re not. I need someone like you. A strategist; a cross-cultural advisor; a missionary partner. It’s like Paul and Barnabas.” At that Enzo put down his personal items and turned around to watch Eustis pace.
Eustis said, “You’ve proved that this whole thing is worth it.”
“How’s that?” Enzo asked.
“This was all worth it if I reach even one person with the message.” Eustis ran his fingers through his hair.
“Well, you’ve reached one,” Enzo said. “Now that you’ve hit your quota, everything from here on out is a bonus.”
“God reached you,” Eustis said. “He reached you despite me fumbling around like a radiation-baked plumpkiss. What could he do with us as a team?”
“Not sure,” Enzo said.
“Really,” Eustis continued. “You’ve got some kind of photographic recall or something.”
“It’s called indefinite eidetic memory,” Enzo said. He eyed Eustis for a second. His expression of eager interest begged the kid for more. “Doctors call it IEM. Everyone has an eidetic memory to some extent, where an after-image remains in the mind for a few seconds. Mine just stays longer. Much longer. It’s not that big a deal.”
“Seriously? It’s amazing! You’ve got an amazing mind. And that’s not all. You know how to maneuver in a world that wants to eat you up.” Eustis paused for dramatic effect. “You’d be a fantastic missionary.”
Enzo rubbed his cheek with his palm as he looked anywhere but Eustis.
“I’ve got a lot more I’d need to learn,” Enzo said. “There were a lot of parts of the Bible that I have questions about.”
“I’ll teach you everything I know.”
“That shouldn’t take long,” Enzo said. They both laughed.
“I’ve got some habits that—” Enzo brought his voice to a whisper. “Some of the things the Bible says not to do, I like doing them.”
“I know,” Eustis laughed. “Me too. But we can work on that. After all, we’re part of the same spiritual team now.”
“God’s family,” Enzo said.
“God’s family,” Eustis repeated.
“Me, a missionary,” Enzo said with a smile. He sat on his bed and stared at the ceiling. “I guess If I’m going to be a criminal, it might as well be for a crime that is worth committing.”
“True,” Eustis said.
“Well, there’s something we have to do.”
“What’s that?” Eustis asked.
“I need to get baptized, don’t I?”
“Oh,” Eustis said. “You’re absolutely right. Great point. We should do that first thing tomorrow.”
“But–” Enzo said. He scrunched his face. “I’m a little afraid to ask, but what is baptism? The Bible talks about it but doesn’t give a definition.” Enzo rubbed his hands against his knees. “Does it hurt? Do you have to cut any part of my body off?”
“No, not at all,” Eustis said. “It’s simple. I’d say a few words and dunk you under some water.”
“You mean we’ve got to have enough water to go under?” Enzo asked. “Sure, it’s easy.”
“Uh, not really.”
“Why?” Eustis asked.
“Water is the most valuable commodity on Phobos. The water ration here is one and a half cups a day. It’d be cheaper to go swimming in molten gold.”
“Oh, I see what you mean,” Eustis said.
“It’s a challenge,” Eustis agreed. “But we’ll think of something.”
