The Last Sin Eater (29 page)

Douglas was never seen again after that day. Everyone figured he headed over the mountains, wanting to get as far away from his father as possible. His brother Cleet was killed the following spring when he got between a she-bear and her cubs.

As for the others in our valley? Well, some was just too proud to believe they’d ever sinned bad enough to deserve hell. Gervase Odara was one who said so. She held to that conviction right up to her last day on this earth. She helped others hold to the same way of thinking, and no amount of talking and praying swayed or softened their hearts. I reckon they put all their faith in her medicines and their own good works. And though it made ’em feel right good during this life, it grieves me to know it didn’t do much to save ’em in the next.

Some of the folks who went down to the river later was driven there, like I was, by guilt over sin, by shame and despair. They longed for forgiveness and peace. And by God’s grace and mercy, they received it and rejoiced in it all their livelong days.

I kept up praying, from that day forward ’til now, that every last one of our folks in our highland valley would make the decision to pursue the Lord rather than serve the devil. Sadly, some never made a choice. Some thought living as they had was armor enough against Satan. So they just walked on through life, mortally wounded and never even knowing it.

But to those of us who opened our hearts, God Almighty gave us peace and joy beyond any we’d ever known. And ye know the rest of the story, for I’ve told ye young’uns the tale often enough.

We renamed Dead Man’s Mountain for the man of God who brung the word of the Lord to us. Prophet’s Peak it is to this day.

Sim Gillivray took Bletsung Macleod as his bride, and they had a fine son the following spring. Morgan Kerr Gillivray. Your father.

Fagan Kai left our valley for a time. He went down into the Carolinas and worked so that he could get some schooling. When he learned to read well enough, he came back to the mountains and brought a Bible with him. First place he come was my folks’ house to see how I’d growed up. Guess he liked what he saw, ’cause he asked me to marry him not a month after he come home to stay. The Lord blessed us with a baby girl two years later, Annabel Beathas Kai. Her name means beautiful and wise, and so your mama is.

Since your grandpap and I’ve gotten too old to walk over these mountains much, your mama and papa have carried on for us, preaching the gospel from New Covenant House. ’Course it’s bigger now, ye know. It ain’t the mean little cabin Miz Elda Kendric lived in all those years ago and gave to your grandpap Fagan when he come home.

It’s sad but true, there’re still people in our mountains who ain’t seen the light or accepted the good news of Jesus Christ. Not yet, anyway. We’re still aworking on ’em and praying for ’em. But as for our house, we serve the Lord who brung your grandfather, the last sin eater, down off the mountain and back among the living.

Now then, darlings, it’s long past your bedtime. Your mama’s standing at the door, waiting to tuck ye in. Give your old Granny Cadi a hug and kiss good night. I love ye so.

Sleep well, now, and dream dreams of the Lord.

For ye are my own little bits of heaven.

Discussion Questions

Dear Reader,

You have just finished reading the fascinating allegory
The Last Sin Eater
. The secrets, traditions, and fears of the families in the quiet valley are but a shadow of mankind. We hang on to that which is familiar—right or wrong. We often take the path of least resistance. And we keep the dark secrets of community hidden deep within—for we know our own hearts are black too.

But praise God! There is hope for us all in Christ Jesus. He bids us come and be rid of our secrets, our traditions, our ignorance, and our fears. He invites us to be washed, cleansed, and to walk in His Truth. As you discuss the characters of this story, may you discover for yourself what needs to come into the light of God’s Word and find renewed joy as you walk with Him.

Peggy Lynch

The time is coming when everything that is covered up will be
revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. Whatever
you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you
have whispered behind closed doors will be shouted from the
housetops for all to hear!
L
UKE
12:2-3

But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father
in heaven.
M
ATTHEW
5:44-45

9. What was revealed about Cadi? about her mother, Fia? How did their guilty feelings keep them apart? What role did Lilybet play? Compare Cadi’s and Fia’s actions and resolve regarding truth.

10. How has tragedy impaired your relationships? What have you done to promote healing in others? Who comforted or counseled you?