The staff gathered together to pray for the family of the young woman, for the rescued girls to heal from their trauma, and also for all those who still needed rescuing.
Sitting on the opposite side of the circle, Nick brushed his eyes as they all raised their heads. Her heart went out to him. It wasn’t often that a guy showed emotion like that. When everyone stood to leave, she stepped to him and asked if he was okay.
He shrugged. Shoved his hands in his pockets. “Yes.” He let out a large sigh. “Not really. This has gotten to me. As glad as I am about the eighteen, I feel so sad for the girl who didn’t make it.”
Phoebe nodded. “I know. I’m struggling too. I just hope she knew Jesus.”
“Maybe she did.”
Phoebe smiled. It was true. No one knew what was in a person’s heart other than God. And she was sensing that Nick’s heart was opening more to Him each moment.
“Have a good day, hey?” The sincerity in his voice echoed in his smile, and despite the circumstance, made her pulse skitter.
“You too.” She returned his smile, and when she walked away, she felt a lightness in her spirit she hadn’t felt since Reed died.
Chapter 11
Nick had been at ‘Regenerate the Nations’ for almost three weeks. He’d seen Phoebe in so many different situations and was incredibly impressed by her. She was devoted to loving the women and children she worked with and seemed to care about them more than about her own grief.
He wanted the kind of faith that led a person to behave that way. The faith that Phoebe had. Or at the very least, he wanted to understand what it was to be a Christian and to honour God. It still seemed confusing, but he was getting there.
He also wondered if she knew that Holly had told him about Reed. She’d said nothing, but then, neither had he. It was awkward, because how could he raise the issue without intruding, or possibly placing Holly in an uncomfortable situation with her friend?
When he arrived at the mission that day, the little girl who’d been afraid of him on his first day ran up and hugged him. Taken aback, he looked around. The room was filled with nannies, teaching staff, and children. Unsure what to do, he looked down at her and carefully, cautiously, allowed his hand to rest on her back. The little girl said something in her dialect that he didn’t understand. He glanced around for someone to interpret.
“She says thank you for making her room so beautiful. It was Pimchan’s room you repaired yesterday,” one of the nannies translated.
Nick bit back tears. This little girl who’d been so terrified of men was now hugging him. Although what he’d done was so small, it made such a huge difference to her. Enough of a difference to show appreciation to a man who reminded her of her abusers.
Confident that coming here had been the right decision, his heart overflowed at realising he was a blessing to this little girl and had even helped her to heal from a horrid memory. Was it possible that life could work like this? Was this what people spoke about when they said that God could turn even the worst of things around for His glory? Was Pimchan an example of that?
He knelt in front of her and asked the nanny to tell her that it was his greatest joy to repair her room. The young girl beamed at him through a bright smile and beautiful brown eyes.
From that moment on, the day was filled with good things. He’d worked at building a better relationship with the people at the mission, and now they were celebrating with him, it felt good to be acknowledged.
“Hey, isn’t that your phone, Nick?” Thomas asked later that day as a ring sounded from inside Nick’s backpack on the floor of the staff room.
“Yeah, it is. Thanks, mate.” He’d gotten a local SIM card and sent the number to a few select people from his office in case of an emergency, but this was the first time anybody had contacted him on it.
He rushed over and pulled it out. “Hello?”
“Mr. Barrington, it’s Amy.”
At the familiar sound of his secretary’s voice, Nick’s heart plummeted. Stepping out of the room, he lowered his voice. “What is it, Amy?”
“It’s the Walterbrook project, sir. I know you said to only call in case of an emergency, but according to the other Mr. Barrington and Miss Barrington, this is a big emergency.”
He blew out a heavy breath and raked his hand through his hair. “What’s happened?”
She proceeded to tell him about a major funding issue which would require a face to face meeting, the last thing Nick wanted to deal with. But this was major. He had little choice other than to return to Australia as quickly as possible.
Just as he was feeling he’d found his place at the mission, this had to occur. He knew for certain that Alden and Charity wouldn’t be able to handle the mess. There was nothing to be done except to fly back over a week early.
He asked Amy to change his flight and let him know the details.
“I will, Mr. Barrington. I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault, Amy.”
“I know, but still.”
He ended the call and found Thomas. “I’m really sorry, but I have to get back to Sydney. It’s a work thing, and a fairly serious matter. Do you think I could come back in a few months and pick up where I left off?”
“Sure. You’ll be welcome any time, Nick. It’s been a pleasure having you here.” Thomas took his hand and gave it a firm shake. “Do you need someone to take you to the airport?”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll head back to my hotel and pack, then I’ll catch a cab. There’s no need for anybody to be put out.” Nick smiled warmly, trying to assure him he’d be okay. He’d most likely be spending the whole ride to the airport on the phone, and he’d definitely blow his cover if someone from the mission took him, although he was coming to realise that it truly didn’t matter if they knew who he was. Still, he felt better that they didn’t know, at least for now. Maybe he’d tell Thomas on his next visit.
Nick made his way quickly through the facility, saying goodbye to everyone and promising to return in a few months. He apologised for leaving so abruptly and thanked them for their hospitality.
When he reached Phoebe’s classroom, he knocked quietly on the door and poked his head inside.
She looked up and frowned, and after asking one of the nannies to take over reading, she walked to the door. “Are you okay, Nick? You look a little stressed.”
He gazed into her concerned eyes, drinking her in. “It’s been a hectic few minutes. Can you talk?”
She glanced back into the classroom and then nodded. “For a few moments.” She followed him into the corridor.
It felt strange talking to her like this, but he felt he owed her more than a simple goodbye. “I have to go back to Sydney. Today, if possible. It’s all a bit last minute and everything is fine. It’s just work stuff.”
“Oh my goodness, are you sure everything’s alright?”
“Yes, it’s just frustrating. My boss will be angry if I don’t get back as soon as I can.” It wasn’t a lie. Alden and Charity were as much his bosses as he was theirs.
“I’m sorry. I had a boss like that once. So frustrating. I hope everything works out okay.”
“I’m sure it will. I don’t think I’ll be sleeping much for the next week or two and this could take months to sort out.” He blew out a breath. “I’d like to come back as soon as it’s taken care of, but you’ll probably be back in Sydney by then.”
“Probably.” He thought she winced. Was she sad that they might not see each other again?
He steeled himself and asked if he might give her his number. “So you can get in touch with me if you’d like. No pressure or anything. But if you want to, here it is.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and scribbled his number on it. He’d never been so anxious about giving a woman his number before, but Phoebe was different. Unlike most women, he guessed his wealth wouldn’t impress her. There was no understanding between them and no real reason for her to accept his number, so he was entirel
y relieved when she did.
“Thank you. I’ll call when I get back. It’ll be nice to stay friends.”
Nick almost blurted out that he’d like to be more than friends, but caught himself in time. Instead, he smiled and said, “I’d like that.” He’d always known he’d be leaving the mission before Phoebe and Holly, but he’d expected to have at least another week to get to know her better before he left.
He reached out and squeezed her hand. It was their first physical contact, and it felt nice. No. More than nice. Her hand, soft and warm, fit snugly into his as if they were made for each other. Tempted to draw her close and embrace her, he refrained. Now wasn’t the time or the place.
As their gazes met and held, a slow blush rose up her neck and into her face. He gave her hand another soft squeeze and then let go before turning and walking away, his heart beating a crescendo in his chest.
Reaching the street, he hailed a tuk-tuk and climbed in the back. All around, traffic rushed by, motorcycle engines revved, cars honked, but all he could think about was Phoebe. Leaving her was agonising. If only they’d had another week they might have parted as more than friends. Would she keep her promise and call? She’d seemed genuine, but she could easily forget all about him. But if she did call, would she be angry at him for keeping his identity hidden, or would she understand? He’d had good reasons, but she might be annoyed and disappointed he hadn’t been totally honest with her. It was too late now. He couldn’t turn the clock back and do things differently.
His phone rang. It was Amy and she’d gotten him on an eight p.m. flight. There was no time to waste.
Chapter 12
Phoebe woke the next morning with a heavy heart. Nick was gone, and while she couldn’t explain why, she was utterly distraught.
There was no reason to feel so down. She and Nick hardly knew one another, but right from their first meeting, she’d known there was something special about him, and despite her misgivings, she couldn’t deny the tingling in the pit of her stomach when he’d squeezed her hand before he left.
While Holly showered, Phoebe opened her Bible and read her daily devotional passage. Focusing on God and His Word was the only way to rein in her wayward thoughts and emotions. After reading the passage, she got on her knees and prayed.
“Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to focus on You today. Help me to grow in Your mercy and grace, and to show Your love to all those around me. Lord, I also pray for Nick. I don’t know what to think about him, but I do ask that You reveal Yourself to Him, and that he might come to know You as his personal Lord and Saviour. I sense he’s so close, but now that he’s returned to his life in Sydney, it would be so easy for him to forget about You, but I pray that You won’t let him go. I know how much You love him and desire him to join Your family. Bless him today, Lord God. I pray all these things in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.”
“Hey, your turn,” Holly said, coming out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her head.
Quickly pushing to her feet, Phoebe grabbed her clean clothes and stepped into the steam filled bathroom. She turned the shower on, and while the cool water flowed over her body, refreshing her, she pulled her thoughts from Nick and turned them to the day ahead.
The following four weeks passed in a similar routine. Spending time serving at ‘Regenerate the Nations’ was both a challenge and a blessing, and Phoebe constantly leaned on God for strength to get through each day. Despite working in the prevention program, she often faced those who’d been trafficked and had become victims. It was heart-wrenching to see such oppression and to hear about some of the awful situations the young girls had experienced.
Thanks to some unexpected, large donations, the mission was able to provide some new opportunities. Thomas and Judy were ecstatic and Phoebe was excited to see their joy.
In their final week, Phoebe and Holly helped with a graduation ceremony for some of the girls who had completed the Regeneration Program. Young women who’d been victims were presented as victors. It was a highly emotional celebration.
Phoebe helped crown the girls as they crossed the stage. Celebrated for their bravery and overcoming their past trauma, they beamed with joy and pride for having finished the first round of intensive therapy.
Following their graduation, some of the girls were returning to their families, while others were going to work in the income generation initiatives offered by the ministry. And the younger ones, of course, would be sent to school and would either return to their families or stay at the ministry, depending on the situation. There were many options, but the goal was always to prevent the girls from having to return to the sex trade while ultimately coming to know Christ.
It was so rewarding for Phoebe to see this work fulfilled. She rejoiced and wept as the young women sang hymns of praise in Thai. “This is by far the most amazing day we’ve experienced,” Phoebe whispered to Holly, her voice choked with emotion.
“Definitely a good note to end on.” Nodding, Holly brushed tears from her eyes.
“I don’t want to leave,” Phoebe said.
“Me either, but we can come back. Maybe not for this length of time, but we can return. We’re teachers, after all. We do have breaks.”
“You’re right. And we will. We have to.” Phoebe clapped for the girls who’d put together a worship dance.
The concert Holly had aimed for had come and gone, bringing the community closer and helping the girls gain confidence. Already there were plans for another, and Thomas and Judy decided to make it a monthly worship event. It seemed as though Holly’s idea had been a good one.
Three days later, just before boarding the plane, the girls were tempted to change their minds and stay, although they knew they couldn’t.
“Thank you for everything.” Phoebe smiled as she hugged Judy and Thomas, fighting tears. “We’ll be back.”
“People say that a lot when they come to visit, but somehow, I believe you.” Judy laughed as she returned Phoebe’s hug.
Holly slept most of the flight, but Phoebe decided to do some journalling. She wrote out some of her fears about returning home after three months away. Would all the healing she’d undergone in Thailand and Cambodia unravel as soon as she stepped off the plane? The thought of being back in Sydney was strange. Scary.
And there was also the question of whether or not to call Nick. He’d given her his number, but was it wise to call him? To her knowledge, he still wasn’t a believer, although more than a month had passed and maybe things had changed. Hadn’t she been praying for that, after all?
Was it right for her to bank on that? Was it wrong for her to wonder if God would move in his heart so she could acknowledge her feelings for him? It seemed wrong, and yet Phoebe also knew that her desire for Nick to know Christ was genuine. It was more than just a matter of her having affection for him—she truly wanted him to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
The plane finally began its descent into Sydney and Holly stirred from her sleep. Phoebe looked over at her friend who rubbed her eyes and yawned.
“Home?” Holly asked.
“Almost.” Phoebe sighed. In many ways, she wished they were still in Thailand.
“Can we go back?” Holly asked pitifully.
“If only…”
Going through immigration and getting their bags checked was easy enough, although it took time. When they emerged, Phoebe was relieved to see her sister waiting for them.
“You’re back!” Jennifer squealed, throwing her arms around Phoebe.
“Yeah! We made it.” Phoebe returned her hug, but she was tired and less than enthusiastic about being home.
“I want to hear everything, but I’m sure you’re both exhausted.” Jennifer took Phoebe’s carry-on bag and slung it over her shoulder.
“I slept the whole flight, so I’m good, but I’m guessing Phoebe’s wiped out. She didn’t sleep at all,” Holly explained.
“Well, I’ll take you both home, and Phoebe, you can rest whil
e I make lunch. How does that sound?” Jennifer asked.
“Sounds good to me,” Phoebe replied, yawning.
The drive was mercifully brief, and after dropping Holly at her place, they continued on to Phoebe’s apartment. Jennifer helped her inside and then told her to rest a while.
It was so quiet in her room, and she already missed the noise and vibrancy of Bangkok. She never fully made it to sleep before Jennifer knocked on her bedroom door and told her lunch was ready.
Phoebe groaned but got up, and after splashing her face with cold water, joined Jennifer at the table.
“How is it being back home?” her sister asked, passing her the salad. Two years older than her, Jennifer had been a rock in Phoebe’s life after Reed died, despite having a family of her own to care for.
“Climbing into my own bed was great, but I honestly wasn’t looking forward to coming home after all we experienced,” Phoebe confessed.
“What was it like? Tell me everything,” Jennifer urged.
Phoebe inhaled deeply. How could she tell Jennifer everything that had happened in a few moments? It was impossible, plus, she was physically and emotionally exhausted. “I don’t think I can right now. It’s too much. I mean, there was so much that happened, it’s like, how do I even begin?”
“Fair enough. You can tell me everything tomorrow, but why don’t you tell me your three favourite things that happened. Three highlights,” Jennifer urged before taking a bite of her toasted turkish bread sandwich.
Phoebe thought for a moment and couldn’t help smiling to herself. “Well, the first thing was my kindergartners. They were so cute, and their little voices so sweet. They were eager to learn, and when they used their broken English, it brought tears to my eyes.”
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