CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

"Healing Hearts Camp 3"

(Love Covers a Multitude of Sins)

"What happened there?" I asks Franz as we are now sitting together on the dining table.

Franz give a heavy sigh that as if he is holding back that air for so long. It is really visible on his face that he can no longer hide his disappointment. "We fought. She walked out."

I know somehow, in my heart that Alfred's relationship with Sophia is somewhat okay and only needs a little counseling. Franz and Michy's on the other hand are far from being okay. It is even far more from being civil. Michigan is really a very stubborn woman and Franz is always being hurt by her.

"Tell me Nat," he said, "What I did that is so wrong for her?" to my surprise, tears in his heart that he kept for so long are now hot tears tracing his eyes, down to his cheeks. Franz didn't even bother to wipe it away.

"Nothing is wrong in love Franz," I said seriously. "What is wrong is that you never talk with each other properly."

"Bullshit!" he exclaimed. "I tried. I Tried Nat, but she does not even budge to my pleas to talk to her. It's just a talk yet she can't even spare me."

We keep silent for a while as I try to pray to God what to do on this moment. "Michy cannot trust people easily. Have you show her that you are someone she can entrust her life on to, or someone that can listen to her without any other intention? You know Franz, love covers a multitude of sin. It applies to all people. God, in fact first loves us and He shows that great love for us that while we are still sinners, Christ died for us. But nobody knows that love that He gave because no one is searching for Him. Not even one. So what He did is He came down from heaven to earth, to show us the way to the Father. When Jesus' disciples first saw that hope of eternity that is in Him, they believed Him and they turned away from their wicked ways and follow Him as they committed all the rest of their lives to Him. That too, from generation-to-generation of the church is what happened."

"Why are you telling me this?" he ask again with confusion.

"You love Michy?" I ask him. Franz nods at my question.

"But she doesn't know. So you have to show her and offer that love. When Michy finally see that there is a hope for her life in you, she will leave her old ways and commit to your love forever. A strong love and decision is all it takes. But before that, you have to commit yourself fully to the Lord first, to be a responsible man that you are opt to be. There is no such thing as eternal relationship apart from God."

That very moment, what I saw in the eyes of Franz is a hope that can't be ever compared to anyone. He wipes his tears this time and ask me, "What must I do then?"

"Believe to the Lord Jesus and change yourself 180 degree turning away from who you are now and what you are doing. You can start from there Franz."

After that heart felt conversation with Franz, I find myself hugging him as we both prayed to the Lord. Weeks passed by and Franz return as a new man – a person who is high in spirit, joyful and have positive perspective in life. He let Michigan breathe for a while as he is trying to become a better version of himself. He also became a regular attendee of our Church.

Another week passed by and Franz decided to be baptized with Alfred, which is a very surprising miracle for me. I never knew that even Alfred is now reading the Word of God everyday, from that day on after the Camp. Also, Alfred is now attending his local Church near his house in Maine.

With that said, I can't really help it but to be happy with rest of them.

Alfred and Sophia is also now doing okay as they try to commit their relationship with God. Whatever differences they have, they try to talk it out together, and seek the counsel of the Bible and their Pastor.

Another weeks passed by and Franz told me that Michigan finally decided to talk and she confessed about her arranged marriage, so what Franz did is he fly to Hong Kong and meet Michy's Father.

The next thing I know is we all fly to Hong Kong to attend their wedding. 4th of January 2009, Franz Norman married his best friend Michigan Chiawase in front of their families and friends. That time Juliana is already almost 5 months pregnant.

All glory and honor belongs to God.