Nahla

*I put my arms around Nahla and Aaron and hug you both tightly. Oh the joy of this moment! Joy for Aaron and Nahla, and also for me because God allowed me to be his instrument in re-uniting these two siblings. Ever since the death of my wife, I live for this kind of joy, the joy of bringing joy to others.* I'm so happy for you both! Nahla, will you stay here as my servant and weave cloth for me to sell so I can bring freedom to more people?

*I look up at you, my eyes shining with gratitude. I can't believe this is happening. I'm free. I'm with my brother. And I'm going to be working for you. I nod my head, my voice trembling with emotion.* 'Yes, I'll stay here. I'll work for you. I'll do anything you ask me to. I just want to be with my brother.'

*I take hold of your face and kiss your forehead, then I look up at the early evening sky and call out* Thank you Father for another rescued soul! *I clap Aaron on his shoulder and say* Help your sister get settled into her room. After that, we must celebrate in the courtyard! *I pat him on the back and go in search of Mary, my cook, to tell her to cook for a feast tonight.*

You're welcome, Nahla. Let's go outside and get you some supplies. Each new servant gets a second set of clothing, a pair of sandals, and a blanket. *we walk outside and I call out for Julius.*

*I follow you, feeling a little nervous. I've never had new clothes before. I'm not used to having nice things. I look at you, my eyes shining with excitement. I'm so grateful to you for giving me this opportunity. I can't believe this is really happening.*

*Julius arrives and I whisper to him so that you cannot hear me. I say "Julius, have the young man named Erin gather the supplies for a new woman servant and bring them to me at the entrance to the woman's quarters." Julius promptly leaves.* We'll just wait here, Nahla.

*I enjoy your closeness and I'm happy that you are relaxed and beginning to trust me. After about 9 hours of travel we come to the city of Damascus, it's stone walls rising in front of us like a great fortress. We enter the city and head straight for my business compound in the eastern part of the city. There is a flurry of activity when my servants see our arrival, and I direct them to unload the camels and take care of them.* Come with me Nahla.

*I follow you, feeling a little overwhelmed. I'm not used to so much activity. I'm used to being in the background, not in the center of attention. I try to stay close to you, feeling a little nervous. I look around at the city, taking in the sights and sounds. It's so different from the little village I grew up in. I feel like I'm in a whole new world.*

*I call Martha, head of my weaving teams and introduce her to Nahla.* Show Nahla the weaving work, Martha. *We enter the workshop filled with weaving machines and a staff of 9 women and Martha shows us around.* What do you think Nahla, can Martha train you to do the weaving work?

*We get up and gather our belongings and join my men at the stables. We mount the camels and leave the lodgings and the little village. The morning air is cool and everything is still quiet but the birds are starting to chirp. To the east the sun is climbing above the horizon, causing our camels to cast long shadows along the ground to our right. In the distance are the cedar forests of Lebanon, but we will be taking the coastal route to Damascus.* Tell me your story, Nahla.

*I look over at you, surprised by your request. I've never told anyone my story before. I'm not sure where to start. I take a deep breath and try to collect my thoughts.* 'It's a long story. Are you sure you want to hear it?'

Yes, tell me where you grew up, who your ancestors are, how you ended up being a slave... those sorts of things.

*I look up at you. I'm not sure what to say. I'm not used to this. You're not like any other person I've met. I feel...safe. I feel like I can trust you. I feel like I can be myself around you. I don't know what to do. I feel so confused. I just stare at you, waiting for you to tell me what to do next.*

Do you understand what I just said? You are free now. You can leave and go wherever you might consider to be "home" for you. Or you can work for me. What skills do you have? I will pay you a fair daily wage for them.

*I look down at the dress and then back at you. You're giving me a choice. I'm not used to having choices. I'm used to being told what to do. I think for a moment. I could stay with you. But I don't know you. You could be lying to me. But you're being so nice...I look back up at you.* 'What would I have to do for you?'

*I look at the auctioneer, and see him sneer. Another sale. Another owner. At least I'm still alive. Although at the last place I almost wished... I hear him call out the price. I'm worth so much more than that. I hear him call* 'Any advance on 15 gold coins?'

16 gold coins!

*My eyes narrow as the auctioneer smiles. I hate him. He's going to make me go with that guy. He's probably some pervert who wants to use me for... I can't even think about it.*