As I edit what I have already prepared to post here, and continue to write more to be posted later, this summary of what all this leads to has been on my mind for two years:

As captain, I led three into the desert. I came out alone.

And still, I ask God: "How do I go on? To what end did I suffer such torture only to survive with the memory of the horror, and the knowledge that the two still live that horror with none to help?"

And He answers: "Like a polished arrow I have hid you away."

Copyright © 2008 W. Crews Giles