Chapter Three - Father Thomas is Sent Home

Father Thomas Maguire sat, cross-legged on the beach, deep in thought.
It was on one of those rarest of moments, when he preferred his own solitude, as he watched the waves crashing up onto the shore.

'Has it really been a whole year?' he wondered.

The year had flown by quite quickly, in his own mind's eye, as he pondered the future.

Everything had been going well.


He'd helped to establish the mission, and the villagers loved him so much.
He'd help out with the births of a few babies, and nursed many sick people back to health.

But suddenly, out of the blue, he received a letter from Bishop Nathan Bartholomew, demanding his return home, and requesting an audience.

Father Thomas was distraught at the very thoughts of returning home.

He knew what was waiting for him there.
Crime, prostitution, drugs, gang wars.

It was those very things that almost drove him to despair. His faith had been well and truly tested.

But here, he found peace and solitude among these people.
People who'd accepted him into their world without question.
Who'd hung onto every word he said, their faces alight with wonder at his preachings.

Sadly, for Father Thomas, he'd had no choice in the matter.
Already a replacement had been sent.


Father Simon wandered down to the beach, in search of Father Thomas and saw him sitting, in a world of his own.

"You know," he said softly, "you can dream your whole life away here."

Thomas closed his eyes, trying to ignore Simon, desperate to commit these images into his own memories.

"I hate to rush you," Simon continued, but your flight leaves pretty soon and you still haven't packed.

Thomas stood up and brushed away the sand from his cassock.
For once in his life, he felt angry.

He was being taken away from all of this.
This beautiful paradise.

And for what?
What possible task did the Bishop have for him this time?

Was he being stationed in the big city again?


That thought filled him with dread as he strode angrily up to Simon.

"Can't a man have a moment's peace?" he shouted, "that's all I ask. Just a single moment's peace."

Simon stood silently, a tight smile on his lips.

"As you wish," he said simply, "just let me know when you're ready."

He headed towards the mission, a simple wooden structure embedded deep amongst the vegetation.


In the meantime, Thomas went back to the beach and sat back down.
The sea breezes brushed lightly at his face as he sat awhile, still contemplating his own future.

Admittedly, he had run away from his problems, back in the city.
And he used this village as a means of escape from the harsh realities of life.

He realised that he had to return eventually.
He just wasn't too sure if he was ready or not.

Groaning heavily, he arose and headed back towards the mission.


There he saw Father Simon, playing with one of the children.
Little Muhana.

She was his first baptised child, and he recalled how she'd squirmed in his arms as he performed the solemn ceremony.
How her parents looked on happily, proud of their little daughter.

It was then that Father Thomas knew.

They were all in safe hands. His work was done. It was time to move on.

He coughed discreetly and Simon turned to look at him.

"I'm ready," he said, dragging the battered old suitcase into the boot of the car.

Simon smiled knowingly.

They both got into the car.


"I'll drive you to the airport," he offered.

"But you hardly know the way!" spluttered Thomas, "you haven't been here long enough.!"

Simon laughed heartily.

"I'm a fast learner," he quipped, dragging the decrepit old banger into first gear.

There was a long pause. Thomas turned to Simon.

"I'd like to apologise."

"Whatever for?"

"For my angry outburst just then. I really shouldn't have done that to you."

"It's fine. Besides, you've become attached to these people. I'd feel exactly the same way, if I was in your shoes."

The car jerked forward, spluttered once or twice, coughing out a plume of black carbon.

Some of those still remaining in the village, ran out to wave their goodbyes, as the car vanished through the dense vegetation.

Father Thomas' heart felt heavy at the prospects of returning home.
But it was going to be a whole new adventure.
That's for sure.