Part I: The Ten Days

“Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (Revelation 2:10)

Chapter 2: The Second Day

Arp, Texas, USA – Thursday, September Third

Early in the morning, as the sun had just risen behind the rows of oak trees, the air was still unusually cold. There was no crowing of roosters, no distant sound of vehicles—only a gentle wind passing through the grass and the ticking of a battery-powered clock inside the house.

Tim and Mỹ Linh were the first to wake up. After their morning prayer, Tim turned on a flashlight to check the water supply and food storage. Mỹ Linh brewed a pot of black coffee on a small gas stove, the aroma spreading gently through the familiar kitchen.

Tim stepped out onto the porch, took a deep breath of the chilly air, and listened. From Brian’s farm, only about a quarter of an acre away, the sound of cattle lowing could still be heard—not as panicked as the night before, but still filled with unease.

Tim’s phone vibrated lightly. The mobile signal was very weak but still showed one bar. It was a call from Brian.

Tim answered immediately, his voice warm and steady:

“Brian, good morning. Are you and Hellen alright?”

Brian’s voice was hoarse from lack of sleep but still firm like a former Marine:

“We’re okay, Tim. How about you and Priscilla? My livestock are still alive. Hellen and my parents are alright too. But this situation… no one knows how long it will last. I’m calling to check on your family and to say I’ll bring over some walkie-talkies and a solar charger. When the phone network goes down completely, we can still stay in touch.”

Tim smiled, his heart warmed. He silently thanked the Lord for Brian and Hellen as neighbors—two atheists, yet living with high moral character and always ready to help.

“Thank you. We’re alright. Grace and Jay got back safely yesterday at noon. The Lord kept them on their way home. The radios are a great idea. We’re ready.”

Brian paused, his tone becoming more serious:

“Tim, let me ask directly: do you have enough guns and ammunition? With things like this… no one knows what tomorrow will be like. I’ll bring you two Remington 870 shotguns—12-gauge pump-action, very reliable—and several crates of ammo: 00 buckshot, 9 mm for Glock, and .223 for AR-15, a few thousand rounds each. We need to join forces. I’d also like your permission to tear down a section of the fence between our properties at the back—so when needed, we can move between houses quickly without going through the front gate.”

Tim was silent for a second, his heart filled with gratitude to the Lord. He knew Brian and Hellen were atheists, yet they lived upright, honest lives—and now, in hardship, they were opening their hearts.

“Brian, we thank you very much. We have enough guns and ammo for a while, but more from you is even better. As for the back fence… I agree. That’s a wise approach. We will stand together to protect our families and those whom the Lord has placed at our doorstep.”

Brian let out a soft sigh of relief.

“I’ll bring everything over right away. Hellen is getting things ready. My parents also want to come visit—they really like Priscilla’s Vietnamese cooking.”

Tim laughed.

“We’ll be waiting for you. Grace and Jay are here too. They’ll be glad to see you.”

About 30 minutes later, Brian drove up in a pickup truck. He and Hellen stepped out, carrying two Remington 870 shotguns (12-gauge pump-action, 18.5-inch barrel, wooden stock, widely used in both military and civilian settings in the U.S.), along with three well-packed crates of ammunition: shotgun 00 buck and slugs (about 2,000 rounds), 9 mm FMJ and JHP (about 3,000 rounds), and .223/5.56 NATO (about 4,000 rounds).

Brian’s parents, both over 80 but still healthy, came along as well, bringing a basket of toasted bread and homemade smoked meat from their farm.

Seeing Grace and Jay standing beside Tim, Brian’s eyes lit up.

“Grace! Jay! You made it back? God really protected you.” (Though atheists, like many Americans, Brian and Hellen still casually used the word “God.”)

Hồng Ân smiled and stepped forward to hug Hellen.

“Thank you, Uncle Brian and Aunt Hellen. We were safe because of the Lord and our parents’ instructions.”

Thiên Lạc shook Brian’s hand firmly.

“Thank you, auntie and uncle. This ammo and these shotguns are very valuable. I’ll use them to protect the family and those in need.”

Brian nodded, his voice low:

“I don’t know whether your God is real or not, Tim. But I see that you live differently. I don’t believe, but I can see your faith gives real strength. If God is real, then He’s using you to help us right now. We need to stand together—our houses are close; we protect each other.”

Brian’s parents looked at Tim and Mỹ Linh, their voices emotional:

“Thank you for always being kind to us. We don’t believe in God, but we respect your faith. If God is real, then He must have sent you to us.”

Mỹ Linh smiled and embraced Brian’s mother.

“God loves you even though you do not yet know Him. We pray for you every day.”

Tim placed his hand on Brian’s shoulder.

“We will never refuse your friendship and kindness. The Lord teaches us to love our neighbors as ourselves. The back fence—we’ll tear it down today. When needed, the two houses will be one.”

Brian’s parents and his family stayed for a simple breakfast: Vietnamese bánh mì (cold cut sandwich), hot tea, and coffee.

They listened with surprise and interest to the story about Kathy and Thùy.

Before leaving, Brian turned back to Tim.

“Around noon, I’ll bring tools to tear down the fence and build a gate. We’ll get it done right away. Thank you.”

Tim shook his hand.

“Thank you. The Lord is using you to protect us. We will also protect you.”

After Brian left, Tim went back inside and looked at his family—now including Kathy and Thùy—and said softly:

“The Lord is opening the hearts of Brian and Hellen and also Brian’s parents. Let us pray for them—and remain faithful in these troubled days.”

Tim closed his eyes and prayed:

“Lord, please open the hearts of Brian and Hellen and their parents. Use us to bear witness of Your love. Keep them and their family safe in this crisis. We entrust everything into Your hands.”

The whole family bowed their heads.

“Amen.”

Less than an hour later, Thùy’s phone vibrated. The signal was weak but still connected. It was a call from her father.

Thùy answered, her voice trembling:

“Dad, it’s me. Are you and Mom alright?”

Her father’s voice was panicked, almost shouting:

“Thùy! Our house burned down! Around midnight, the gas stove suddenly exploded, and the fire spread very fast. Your mother, I, and your brother (he’s home on leave) managed to run outside with some personal belongings and documents. But the entire wooden house is gone. We couldn’t save anything else. The three of us are staying at a neighbor’s house, but it’s not safe. We were planning to drive to pick you up, then head to your uncle’s place in Oklahoma.”

Thùy went pale. She handed the phone to Tim, her voice choking:

“Uncle Tim… My house burned down… my parents and my brother… they’re not hurt, but they lost everything…”

Tim took the phone and turned on speaker, his face serious but calm. He spoke clearly:

“Hello, sir. I’m Tim, the homeowner where Thùy stayed last night. We thank the Lord that you and your son are safe. I suggest: don’t rush to Oklahoma yet. Please drive here and stay with us for a few days to see how things develop. I have a fairly large storage building behind the house that can be cleared out for temporary lodging until things stabilize somewhat. We have food, water, and a safe place to stay.”

Thùy’s father’s voice trembled, but with relief:

“Thank you… thank you so much. We’ll try to get there right away. Thank your family for helping Thùy.”

Tim handed the phone back to Thùy, his voice steady:

“Tell your parents: ‘The Lord is opening a way. We will wait for them. Pray for them on the road.’”

Thùy nodded, tears still falling, but her eyes shining with hope. She held the phone tightly and whispered:

“Thank You, Lord… thank you, uncle and auntie.”

Then she softly said to her father:

“Uncle Tim says you should come here. Everyone is waiting and praying for you.”

Tim turned to the family.

“The Lord is placing more people at our doorstep. We will prepare the storage building as temporary lodging for Thùy’s family. This is an opportunity for us to bear witness of the Lord’s love to them.”

Mỹ Linh nodded.

“The Lord knows everything. He has already prepared a place for them.”

Kathy, after hearing a brief English explanation from Grace, looked at Thùy and said softly:

“Sister Thùy, your parents will come here. God will protect them.”

Thùy bent down to hug Kathy, her voice breaking:

“Thank you… thank the Lord.”

Hồng Ân stood up first.

“I and Thiên Lạc will clean the storage with Thùy. Kathy can help sweep.”

Thiên Lạc nodded firmly.

“I’ll check the heater and chimney to make sure it’s safe for burning wood. The storage also has a pipe from the well—just needs manual pumping to use.”

Thùy sat quietly, eyes red, but as she listened, she whispered:

“Thank you… thank the Lord. I don’t know what else to say.”

Tim placed his hand on her shoulder.

“You don’t need to say anything. The Lord has brought your parents and brother here. This house is His house, and your family is our family.”

Everyone got to work immediately. Tim led the way, opening the storage building behind the house—a large wooden structure with a metal roof, about 20 by 30 feet (around 55 m²), which Tim had built himself a few years earlier after moving in, as preparation for emergencies. Tim was not exactly a prepper. He did not hoard excessively or obsess over end-time scenarios, but he accepted reasonable and wise ideas from the Bible and life experience: prepare for difficult days, yet entrust everything to the Lord.

Inside the storage:

• A simple bathtub and toilet connected to a rainwater tank and a hand-pump well.
• An iron wood-burning stove, handmade by Tim, with a chimney leading outside.
• A small wood stove, also made by Tim, for cooking when gas is unavailable.
• Wooden shelves along the wall holding several containers of stored water, sleeping bags, warm blankets, and repair tools.
• An open corner large enough for 4–5 temporary beds—old sofas, floor mats, and sleeping bags.

Thiên Lạc and Hồng Ân began cleaning—sweeping dust, wiping the floor, moving old boxes to one side. Kathy eagerly helped, holding a small broom, smiling.

“I’ll help Sister Grace and Brother Jay! This place is so big—it’s like a new house for Sister Thùy’s parents!”

Thùy smiled through her tears and hugged Kathy.

“Thank you… thank the Lord for you.”

Mỹ Linh brought blankets, pillows, and towels into the storage. She arranged a separate space for Thùy’s parents with a larger bed, a corner for Thảo, Thùy’s brother, with a single bed, and a space for Thùy if she wished to stay with her family.

Tim looked around and thought silently:

“Lord, I did not prepare this to be a prepper, but I received this idea from the wisdom You gave. Now this place is not just for storage, but to shelter the souls You love.”

After about an hour, the storage building was clean and airy. They set up three additional temporary beds, laid out warm blankets, and placed flashlights and oil lamps on a metal table in the center. A small corner had a low wooden table for meals. The stove was ready for use, with a pile of dry firewood in the corner. The bathroom was cleaned and ready, supplied by well water.

Mỹ Linh looked around, her voice moved:

“The Lord prepared this place long ago. He knew Thùy’s family would come.”

Tim nodded, placing his hand on his wife’s shoulder.

“He always goes ahead of us many steps. There are things we do thinking they serve one purpose of ours, but in God’s foreknowledge, He appoints them for another purpose when the time comes. We only need to obey and be ready.”

Thùy stood at the doorway, eyes still red but shining with hope.

“Thank you… thank the Lord. I don’t know what will happen to my parents and brother on the road, but I believe He will lead them here safely.”

Hồng Ân embraced her.

“We will wait together. The Lord does not abandon anyone.”

Thiên Lạc smiled gently.

“When your parents and your brother arrive, I’ll tell Thảo about my journey. I’m sure he has many stories to share too.”

Tim looked at everyone, his voice warm:

“We have finished preparing. Now we wait and pray. The Lord knows the path of Thùy’s parents. Let us trust Him.”

The whole group knelt right there in the storage. Tim led a short prayer:

“Our Loving Father in heaven, please keep Thùy’s parents and brother safe on their way here. Protect them from every danger and lead them to a safe place. Use us to receive them with Your love. We entrust them into Your hands. We pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”

The whole family responded together:

“Amen.”

Sunlight at midday shone through the storage door—a small ray of light, yet full of hope amid the darkness of disaster and hardship covering the world outside.

@@@

The afternoon passed slowly. The whole family had just finished cleaning the storage shed behind the house—it was clean and airy, with the wood stove ready, the bathtub scrubbed clean, and the temporary beds neatly arranged. Kathy placed a small teddy bear that Hồng Ân had given her in a corner of the shed and smiled brightly.

“So Sister Thùy will have a friend to play with when she feels sad!”

Thùy hugged Kathy, her eyes red but her lips smiling.

“Thank you… the Lord is using you to comfort me.”

When the bright noon sunlight streamed through the window, the sound of a small truck came from the front gate. Tim stepped out onto the porch first, his heart beating fast with expectation. The truck stopped, and the door opened. Three people stepped out: Mr. Vương Ngọc Thành (Sincere Jade), Thùy’s father, 71 years old, solidly built, with graying hair, wearing an old shirt. Mrs. Ngọc (Jade), Thùy’s mother, 66 years old, small in stature, her eyes red from exhaustion and worry. And Vương Ngọc Thảo (Jade Grass), Thùy’s older brother, a Marine lieutenant, 24 years old, wearing a military T-shirt, a backpack slung over his shoulder, and a handgun hidden under his shirt in his hand.

Thùy ran out first, threw herself into her mother’s arms, knelt down and clung tightly to her legs, sobbing like a child who had lost her mother.

“Mom… Mom… I thought I would never see you again… I was so afraid…”

Mrs. Ngọc held her daughter tightly, her trembling hands stroking Thùy’s hair, tears pouring onto her daughter’s shoulder.

“My daughter… my daughter… Heaven and Buddha have kept you safe. I was afraid of losing you… I was so afraid… but Heaven has had mercy; now mother and daughter have found each other again…”

Mr. Thành stepped forward, knelt beside the two of them, and wrapped both in his arms, his voice hoarse with emotion:

“Thùy… you are here… You are really here… thank Heaven… thank Heaven for sparing your life… I thought I had lost you…”

He held his daughter tightly for a long time without letting go, his shoulders trembling, his tears falling onto her hair. Thảo stood behind them, his eyes red, trying to keep calm like a soldier, but when Thùy looked up at him, he could no longer hold back. He stepped forward, knelt down, and embraced his sister from behind, his voice choked:

“My little sister… I’m so glad you’re safe… I thought I would have to drive back to Oklahoma alone with Dad and Mom… but the Lord had mercy and kept you here, safe…”

Thùy cried even harder, holding all three of them tightly, her voice broken:

“Dad… Mom… Brother Thảo… I thought I would never see you again… my family…”

Tim and Mỹ Linh stood silently watching the reunion, their own eyes red as well. Kathy, the 12-year-old girl, stood beside Mỹ Linh. At first she was a little frightened, but when she saw Thùy crying, she stepped forward, gently took Thùy’s hand, and said in a soft but innocent voice:

“Sister Thùy… you’re crying because you’re happy, right? Like me when I miss my mother, but I know my mother is with the Lord. Your parents have come now… Don’t be afraid anymore, okay? The Lord has kept everyone safe…”

Thùy turned and hugged Kathy, tears still falling but with a smile on her lips.

“Thank you… yes… I’m crying because I’m happy… because the Lord loves me… and loves my parents and my brother too…”

Tim stepped forward and shook Mr. Thành’s hand first, his voice emotional:

“Hello, Mr. Thành. I am Tim; my wife is Mỹ Linh, my daughter is Hồng Ân, and my son is Thiên Lạc. We thank the Lord that you, your wife, and Thảo have arrived safely. Please come in. We have prepared the store room in the back for your family to stay temporarily.”

Mr. Thành gripped Tim’s hand tightly, his voice trembling:

“Thank you… Thank you so much. You saved my daughter, and now you are saving my whole family as well. I am already 71 years old. I thought the rest of my life was only to wait peacefully to return to my ancestors, yet “Ông Trời” (Mr. Heaven) and Buddha have instead given hardship and calamity in old age.”

Tim smiled and looked into his eyes.

“So we are the same age. Mr. Thành… where are you from? Your accent sounds like someone from Bạc Liêu.”

Mr. Thành released Tim’s hand and laughed lightly.

“Well, I am from Bạc Liêu. And you?”

Tim exclaimed:

“I’m from Bạc Liêu too! Both sides of my family are from Vĩnh Trạch Commune, Vĩnh Lợi District. But I lived in Pleiku, so my accent is no longer purely the ‘hia-chế’ way” (the way people from Bạc Liêu say “brother-sister”).

Mr. Thành clasped Tim’s hand even more tightly.

“What a coincidence! I’m from Vĩnh Lợi too! We come from the same hometown and only now meet in Texas!”

Tim laughed heartily, his eyes glistening.

“The Lord is truly wondrous! From Bạc Liêu, through war, through exile, and now meeting again here, in the middle of this storm.”

Mr. Thành nodded, deeply moved.

“That’s right… at 71, I thought I was only waiting to return to my ancestors, yet “Ông Trời” and Buddha have allowed me to meet a fellow countryman again.”

Mrs. Ngọc looked at her husband and Tim, her voice emotional:

“”Ông Trời” has eyes. Mr. Tim, thank you… thank “Ông Trời” and Buddha.”

Standing nearby, Thảo’s eyes lit up as he heard his father and Tim talking about their hometown in Bạc Liêu. He whispered softly to Thiên Lạc, who was standing near him:

“My father and uncle Tim are from the same hometown… the Lord’s arrangement is truly wonderful.”

Thiên Lạc smiled and patted Thảo on the shoulder.

“The Lord always goes before us. Thảo… I’m glad your family arrived safely.”

Mỹ Linh spoke up:

“Let’s go inside and talk afterward. You two and Thảo probably have not eaten yet. I have already set lunch on the table.”

As everyone sat around the table with white rice, braised pork with eggs, boiled vegetables, bottle gourd soup with shrimp, tea, and hot lemongrass water, Tim and Mr. Thành continued talking about their hometown in Bạc Liêu. Mỹ Linh told Mrs. Ngọc Kathy’s story.

Mr. Thành talked about the days he had been stationed in Cần Thơ, about battles along the Hậu River, and about comrades who had fallen. Tim nodded, his eyes glistening as he remembered the days in Pleiku, the windy cold of the highlands, and those nights before dawn lying in the trench waiting for the enemy under the forest rain.

While her mother stood up and brought the used bowls and chopsticks to the sink in the kitchen, Thùy sat beside Mỹ Linh, leaned slightly toward her, and said in a voice just loud enough for her to hear:

“Auntie, I only believed in the Lord yesterday in your house, yet the Lord has already given me so many blessings. I am so thankful to Him. I have not dared tell my parents yet, but I believe He truly led them here.”

Mỹ Linh turned toward her, her eyes bright, placed her hand gently over Thùy’s, and whispered warmly:

“The Lord knows your heart, Thùy. He does not need you to speak loudly right now, only to open your heart. He has already done a great work in you. We will pray for you—and for your parents. He will make a way.”

Just then, Thảo came out of the bathroom and accidentally overheard his sister’s words. He stopped short at the doorway, his heart beating fast. His eyes looked at Thùy, then at Mỹ Linh—strangers who had become family in this storm. Tears welled up, but he remained silent, only giving a faint smile before returning to the table.

The meal was over. Hồng Ân and Kathy stood up to clear the dishes. Everyone drank water and listened to Tim and Mr. Thành talking. Thảo pulled Thùy aside to a corner of the room, his voice trembling:

“You… I heard everything. You believed in the Lord yesterday… I have also believed in the Lord for more than a year, secretly, because a fellow soldier in my unit witnessed to me. I did not dare tell our parents, afraid Mom would be sad, afraid Dad would be angry because of the ancestral altar. But now you believe too… I’m so happy, Thùy.”

Thùy embraced her brother, her eyes full of tears.

“Brother Thảo… the Lord loves us so much… it is He Himself who has drawn us to Him.”

When the two returned to the table, Tim looked at Thảo as if realizing something. He asked softly:

“Thảo… I see in your eyes the same look I have seen in the eyes of God’s people before. Is there something you want to share?”

Thảo lowered his head, his voice shaking:

“Yes… I have believed in the Lord Jesus for more than a year. I believed secretly because a fellow soldier in my unit witnessed it to me. I was afraid my parents would be sad, so I did not dare tell them. But today… I see that the Lord has led me here, to meet you, and my sister has also come to believe in the Lord. I want to publicly confess that I believe in Him.”

Tim smiled, his eyes glistening.

“The Lord has led you here at the right time. We will pray for you and for your parents. He will make a way.”

He then turned and said to Mr. Thành and Mrs. Ngọc:

“If you do not mind, then please join us in giving thanks to the Lord. Since yesterday, our family has prayed for peace for your family. I believe that the fire, which seemed like tragedy, was actually a blessing the Lord gave you. If your house had not burned down completely, you would not have come here. The house burning down completely is also to sever you from the past of knowing “Ông Trời” (Mr. Heaven) yet not worshiping “Ông Trời” in the right way. That “Ông Trời” is God, the Creator of all things, who has prepared an everlasting happy future for those who believe in Him and obey Him. He reveals Himself to mankind through the Bible. He calls Himself God, the Creator, the Self-Existing and Everlasting One; and the Father of those who worship and obey Him. That “Ông Trời” wants to tell you that every image of a deity worshiped by mankind is without knowledge and without feeling. They have eyes but do not see, ears but do not hear, mouths but do not speak, and feet but cannot walk. They cannot even save themselves from the fire, so how can they save anyone? How can they bless anyone? In reality, they are only made by human hands, and then mankind bows down and worships them.”

Tim paused for a moment, looked directly at Mr. Thành and Mrs. Ngọc sitting opposite him, and continued:

“The God loves you. He has saved Thảo; He has saved Thùy, and today He wants to save you also, so that you may together have joy and peace in the Kingdom of Heaven with your two children. He does not only save your soul; He also saves the body. Here, we have food, drink, and land for planting and raising livestock. Your family may stay here in peace under the care and protection of God until the situation becomes more stable.”

Mr. Thành and Mrs. Ngọc stared at Tim, then looked over at their two children. Mrs. Ngọc lowered her head in silence, while Mr. Thành looked at Tim and stammered:

“Yes… what you say makes sense. All our lives we have simply followed the customs left by our grandparents and parents. They worshiped Buddha, so we worshiped Buddha. But we do believe there is “Ông Trời” that knows all things and rewards good and punishes evil. If that “Ông Trời” is truly the God you speak of, then we must be grateful to Him for what He has done and is doing for our family.”

After saying that, Mr. Thành turned to look at his wife. Mrs. Ngọc said nothing but gently nodded and pulled at her sleeve to wipe away the tears that had just fallen.

Tim said gently:

“Yes. It is indeed the God who has saved and bestowed grace on your family. Therefore, let us offer thanks to Him.”

Tim led the prayer:

“O the God, our Loving Father. I give thanks to You because You have led Thùy’s family here safely. Please open the hearts of Mr. Thành and Mrs. Ngọc so that they may know You. Please grant peace to Thảo, who has now made his faith public. We entrust everything into Your hands. We give thanks to the Father and pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!”

Everyone except Mr. Thành and Mrs. Ngọc said, “Amen!”

Mr. Thành looked at Tim, his voice filled with emotion:

“Mr. Tim… I do not know whether the Lord is real or not. But I see that you live differently from other people. If the Lord truly led us here, then I will think about it. Thank you.”

Mrs. Ngọc wiped away her tears.

“I am a Buddhist… but the fire burned up all my Buddhist scriptures and Buddha statues. Perhaps “Ông Trời” and Buddha want me to seek Him in another way.”

Tim smiled.

“The Lord does not force anyone. He only invites and waits for us to run to Him. We will pray for you both.”

@@@

Thùy led her parents and her brother over to the storage shed to see their new place to stay. Tim stepped out the back door, stood on the porch, and looked toward Brian’s farm. He prayed silently:

“Lord, please use us to bear witness to Thùy’s parents and to Brian and Hellen. Please open their hearts, just as You have opened ours.”

Thiên Lạc stepped out and stood beside his father, watching Thùy lead her parents and brother into the shed. He said:

“I hope they’ll be satisfied with this temporary place. Dad, have you tried contacting the Church by text message today?”

Tim answered his son:

“No. We’ve been so busy all morning. Help me turn on the radio and scan for news so I can know whether there is anything I need to inform the Church about. I feel at peace because I am sure the Lord is protecting each of His people when He allows such an event to happen.”

Father and son went back into the house together. Thiên Lạc turned on the radio and searched for a station. Tim made himself a cup of Trung Nguyên 3-in-1 instant coffee.

@@@

Following Thùy into the storage shed, Mr. Thành looked around, his voice filled with emotion:

“This place is clean and spacious… “Ông Trời” is still showing mercy to our family.”

Mrs. Ngọc followed behind, stepped into the bathroom, turned on the faucet at the sink, and whispered:

“There’s water, there’s a heater… “Ông Trời” and Buddha have had mercy on us.”

Thảo walked around the shed, observing the layout out of a soldier’s habit when entering new terrain. Thùy left her parents inside and stepped out after him. She wanted to ask him about his faith in the Lord.

After looking around the shed, Mr. Thành and Mrs. Ngọc went back up to the house to thank Tim and Mỹ Linh once again. Mr. Thành held Tim’s hand tightly, his voice emotional:

“Brother Tim, thank you… Thank you and Mỹ Linh very much. We don’t know what else to say.”

Mrs. Ngọc embraced Mỹ Linh, tears streaming down her face.

“Sister Mỹ Linh… thank you. This place is spacious, has water, has a heater… we will try not to trouble your household.”

Mỹ Linh gently patted her back.

“Please don’t say that. This house is the Lord’s house, and you are our family. We will pray for you every day.”

Mr. Thành and Mrs. Ngọc went to the truck and carried their belongings into the shed: a few backpacks of clothes, documents, his firearm, and a few personal items saved from the fire. They arranged everything neatly. Thùy and Thảo helped their parents.

Just then, Brian drove up in his pickup truck, bringing tools: a handsaw, a hammer, wire cutters, and several wooden planks to make a replacement gate.

Tim and Thiên Lạc went out to the gate to greet him. Brian stepped down, cheerful.

“Tim, I brought the tools. Let’s get started right away. No lock—so when needed, both houses can move between each other quickly.”

Tim smiled and patted Brian’s shoulder.

“Thank you. We’re ready. We also have a Marine officer helping us.”

Brian looked surprised, his eyes lighting up.

“Who is it?”

Thảo stepped forward and introduced himself:

“It’s me, sir. U.S. Marine Corps Second Lieutenant Thảo Vương.”

Brian immediately stood at attention and gave a sharp military salute, then winked playfully.

“Lieutenant! I’m Brian, a former U.S. Marine Staff Sergeant—30 years of service through many battles. Nice to meet a young Marine!”

Thảo returned the salute respectfully.

“Sir… I’m Thảo. Though I’m an officer, my experience is nothing compared to yours—a veteran of 30 years through many battles.”

Brian laughed and patted Thảo on the shoulder.

“Don’t call me ‘sir.’ Just call me Brian. Your rank is higher than mine, but experience-wise, we learn from each other. We’re Marines, same spirit. Now let’s get to work!”

The group began tearing down the fence. Tim, Brian, Thiên Lạc, and Thảo worked together. The sound of sawing wood and hammering nails echoed steadily. They built a small wooden gate (about 4 feet wide) without a lock, only a simple wooden latch.

While working, Thảo and Thiên Lạc spoke in English so Brian could understand. Thiên Lạc told the story of meeting Thùy on the road and encountering robbers.

Brian listened, surprised, his voice low:

“Everything that happens in life seems to work out for good for those with good hearts, doesn’t it? I don’t believe in God, but I see your family’s faith brings real strength. If God is real, then He’s doing something here.”

Thiên Lạc smiled and said:

“Uncle Brian, do you know the Bible says this: ‘And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.’ Those who love God are good people. So even disasters and hardships will bring benefit to them. Like Thảo’s house burning last night—it made it possible for his family to come here and stay safely without lack or danger.”

Brian was amazed, his eyes wide.

“The Bible says things like that? Maybe I need to read it.”

Thiên Lạc said joyfully:

“The Lord is knocking on your heart. After we finish, I’ll give you a Bible.”

About ten minutes later, the work was done. Thảo helped Brian pack up the tools. Thiên Lạc went into the house, brought out an English Bible, and handed it to Brian.

Brian took the Bible, looked it over, flipped through a few pages, and said:

“If God is real, then maybe I can find Him in this Bible.”

Thiên Lạc nodded:

“That’s exactly right. Would you like me to pray that the Lord will enlighten you as you read?”

Brian was silent for a moment, then nodded.

“Alright… go ahead.”

Thiên Lạc bowed his head and prayed briefly:

“Our Loving Father in heaven, please enlighten Brian’s heart as he reads the Bible. Open his eyes so he may see Your love. We entrust him into Your hands. Amen.”

Brian seemed moved and said quietly:

“Thank you… I’ll read it.”

They parted ways. Thảo and Thiên Lạc went back into the house. Thiên Lạc shared the good news with his parents.

“Dad, Mom—Brian agreed to read the Bible. I just gave him a copy and prayed for him.”

Tim and Mỹ Linh rejoiced and embraced.

“Praise the Lord! He is opening Brian’s heart. Let us pray for him.”

About ten minutes later, not long after Brian returned home, Tim’s phone vibrated. It was Brian calling.

Tim answered:

“Brian, you just got home?”

Brian’s voice was urgent:

“Tim, turn on the shortwave radio now! I’m listening to BBC and Voice of America. The President just made a federal announcement.”

Tim told Thiên Lạc to turn the radio back on. Earlier, Thiên Lạc had scanned for news but found nothing unusual.

The announcer’s voice in English came through clearly:

“…The President of the United States has just declared nationwide martial law due to the emergency caused by a G5 geomagnetic storm. The National Guard and U.S. military are coordinating with law enforcement to maintain order. Looters will be shot on sight. Citizens are advised to limit travel. Food markets and gas stations are now under military control. Food will be rationed. Fuel is prioritized for hospital generators, water pumping stations, and police and military vehicles. Citizens are advised to return home or relocate to relatives. Within seven days, gas stations along highways will provide fuel for interstate travel so people can return to their families. Generators in commercial stores are being requisitioned for distribution to gas stations, hospitals, police departments, fire departments…”

The announcement repeated over and over. Tim told Thiên Lạc to turn off the radio to conserve battery. He turned to the family, his voice calm but firm:

“Martial law has been declared. The military and National Guard are in control. Looters will be shot on sight. We should limit going out. But the Lord still keeps us.”

Just then, Brian called again:

“Tim, do you have relatives in other states you want to bring to Arp? My farm is large—if needed, I can help.”

Tim replied:

“I don’t have relatives in other states. But I do have about twenty believers I know living in California, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. They are city people—they will certainly face great difficulty.”

Brian responded eagerly:

“Invite them to come here if they want. One of my large barns can be turned into temporary housing. Those who are able can help with farm work. I promise to provide enough food for them. We’ll get through this together.”

Tim was surprised and deeply moved.

“Praise the Lord! Thank you, Brian. I will message them right away—even if the network is unstable. The Lord is using you to open a way for His people and help them.”

Brian laughed over the phone.

“I don’t believe in God, but I see your faith brings real strength. If God is real, then He’s using me to help you. Contact them and let me know.”

Tim thanked him again, then hung up and turned to the family.

“The Lord is opening a way. Let us pray for God’s people in other states and for Brian and Hellen and also for Bob and Anne (Brian’s parents). He is even using those who do not believe in Him to help His people.”

The whole family knelt down, and Tim led the prayer:

“O the God, our Loving Father. Your ways are truly beyond understanding. Now I see that You are using this small land in Arp as an ‘Eastern Garden’ in America for Your people. Father, we thank You for using Brian to help our brothers and sisters in California, Colorado, Texas, and Florida. They are city dwellers without means of survival in this situation. We ourselves cannot help them, but You have already prepared Brian. We also earnestly ask that You soon bring all four members of Brian’s household into Your salvation. Please preserve the Internet a little longer so we can contact one another and arrange for our brothers and sisters to come here. I will send a message to the Church right now. Please stir their hearts to read the message in time. We entrust everything into Your almighty and loving hands. We give thanks to the Father and pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!”

Everyone said, “Amen!”

While Tim typed a message on Telegram to the Church, Mỹ Linh took Kathy along with Grace and Jay to the storage shed to inform Mr. Thành’s family and to discuss and assign tasks for cooking and other necessary work in the coming days while also preparing dinner.

The afternoon sunlight gradually faded, and darkness began to fall. But in the small house in Arp, the flame of faith continued to burn brightly—a small flame in the midst of a great storm, waiting for God’s people from all places to find their way home.

@@@

Only a small grove separated Tim’s house from Brian’s. In the middle of the grove stood a wooden fence marking the boundary, a section of which they had removed to create a passage for easy movement between the two homes. From the fence, one could see both houses faintly through the old oak and maple trees, their branches interwoven to form a gentle shade. A loud call could be clearly heard from one side to the other—a close, familiar distance, as if the two families had long been connected.

Brian and Hellen’s farm, a small 100-acre property, lay peacefully in the Texas countryside, surrounded by low wooden fences, wide green pastures, and a two-acre pond. The farm had been passed down from Brian’s parents. Though both were over 80, they remained healthy and lived together in the main wooden house. Each day, they helped with light tasks such as feeding chickens, collecting eggs, or cooking for the workers.

Brian and Hellen, both around 50 years old, were retired U.S. Marines. They had fallen in love and married during their time in the military.

Brian was tall, with salt-and-pepper hair, still carrying the steady posture of a soldier. Hellen was slender, her hair tied up, always dressed in a denim jacket and jeans, her hands constantly busy with work. They had no children and lived a simple, disciplined life, much like their days in the military.

The farm was not an industrial operation but a partially self-sustaining one: 30 beef cattle grazing rotationally on 40–50 acres of pasture, 20 pigs in pens behind the house, 500 meat chickens (raised in 3–4 cycles per year), about 100 laying hens producing daily eggs, and a two-acre fish pond stocked with tilapia and carp, harvested in rotation for both family use and sale.

They employed five full-time workers—including two brothers—to care for the cattle, mow grass, clean pens, feed the fish, and harvest vegetables from a 10-acre garden.

Daily life on the farm followed a steady rhythm like a military drumbeat. At 5 a.m., Brian woke first, checked on the cattle, fed them stored hay, then worked with Hellen to milk a few goats they kept for fresh milk.

Brian’s parents would sit on the wooden porch, drinking black coffee, watching their son and daughter-in-law at work, occasionally offering advice:

“Brian, remember to check the east fence—the wind was strong yesterday.”

At noon, the smell of BBQ filled the air. Brian enjoyed smoking beef, pork, and chicken from the farm himself, often inviting Tim and Mỹ Linh over. Many times, he would laugh loudly and say to Mỹ Linh:

“Priscilla, your pho (Vietnamese beef noodle) is the best in Texas!”

Hellen often made iced tea and sat chatting with Mỹ Linh about vegetable gardening and ways to protect tomatoes from pests.

In the afternoon, the steady sound of a lawn mower echoed from the eastern fields, mixed with the clucking of chickens, the lowing of cattle, and the sound of water from the well pump—all forming a peaceful rhythm, even as the world outside fell into chaos.

The farm had two large barns, built of pine wood with reddish-brown metal roofs, standing firmly in the open pasture. They had been built by Brian’s parents in the 1970s and remained sturdy through the years.

The first barn stood to the east, near the grazing fields, about 200 yards from the main house. It stored crops and hay. Inside, it measured about 40 by 60 feet (around 240 m²), with two levels and a wooden floor—old but clean. The lower level was filled with sacks of corn, soybeans, and potatoes stacked to the ceiling, the scent of dry grain mingling with the earthy smell.

In the center were tall stacks of hay bales, tightly packed into square blocks and covered with plastic sheets to keep out moisture. The sweet, warm scent of hay filled the air, giving anyone who entered the feeling of standing in an autumn field.

The upper loft stored more hay and old sacks, with a small window overlooking the pasture. In the afternoon, sunlight streamed through, casting warm golden beams. The wind slipping through the wooden gaps sometimes sounded like a soft whisper. This barn was the quietest place on the farm—where Brian often sat alone in the evenings, smoking a cigarette and watching the cattle graze in the distance.

The second barn stood closer to the main house, about 100 yards to the northwest near the farm entrance. It housed machinery and vehicles, measuring about 50 by 80 feet (around 400 m²), one and a half stories tall, with a weathered reddish-brown metal roof. Inside, it was spacious, with a solid concrete floor and a faint smell of oil, grease, and metal.

An old green John Deere tractor stood in the center, beside a red Ford F-350 truck with a large rear bed, along with two smaller tractors. Along the walls were metal shelves holding tools: chainsaws, hammers, pliers, chains, spare tires, fuel cans, and containers of oil and grease. One corner remained open—about 20 by 30 feet—where Brian once parked vehicles in winter or stored miscellaneous items.

This space was airy, with a large front rolling door and a rear side door, suitable to be converted later into temporary housing for about 20 Vietnamese believers coming to Arp. Daylight filtered through dusty glass windows, casting long beams across the concrete floor. The wind slipping through the rolling door occasionally sounded like a sigh of the farm itself.

Brian and Hellen often spent their mornings in the second barn: Brian is checking machinery and changing oil; Hellen is cleaning tools. At noon, they rested under the shade of an oak tree near the barn, drinking black coffee and discussing work. In the afternoon, the hum of mowing from the first barn echoed, blending with distant cattle calls and the flutter of sparrows.

Brian’s parents often sat on the porch of the main wooden house, looking out at the two barns standing firmly in the pasture, whispering to each other:

“Brian and Hellen have done well. This farm is our family’s legacy. We are old now, but we are at peace.”

Amid the geomagnetic storm, the two barns still stood strong—one holding life (crops, hay, food); the other holding strength (machinery, vehicles, and space waiting for those whom the Lord would bring). They were not merely structures of wood and metal but symbols of wise preparation, of kindness in times of hardship, and of the hope that the Lord had prepared long in advance.