Page 23 - Archangel

martyrs for those in need

Slowing the pace to prep and prime the motor, MacIain feared that a
similar tragedy that took Keesie had now claimed Layla. While helping
refugees she rescued to re-settle in a camp near Bukavu, Keezie was
recognized by a Hutu Interahamwe butcher living in that very camp and
posing as a refugee. Upon returning to her Hutu village in Rwanda, Keezie
was identified and publicly chopped to pieces with a machete to dissuade
others from aiding those fleeing the massacre.
After Keesie’s assassination, there was no one left trained and brave
enough to help – but Layla. Despite losing her best friend, Layla told
Skye over the radio before this run, “I want to continue doing the Lord’s
work, Skye. Do you know Isaiah 40:28-31? ‘I will mount up with wings
like eagles, . . ?’ I will be an eagle and fly as long as I can – for Keesie, for
my husband, and especially for my son.” So it was in trepidation MacIain
initially left the shore with no sign of Layla or her child. Regaining
hope with her ‘burning bush’, his celebration was short lived when she
relinquished her son alone.
With the courage of the Saints, Layla had returned to shore to pay
for MacIain’s compassionate cargo, now including her child. Peering
through tears to prime the motor, Skye took a final glance toward Sean
and confirmed that doctor and infant were tucked in. On the second
pull, the engine came to life, and Skye artfully cleared the waves without
taking more water into the 10 person bateau now carrying 26 souls.
He leaned forward and quietly reminded his human cargo to remain
silent throughout the ‘illegal’ voyage to escape detection from both
Rwanda and DRC authorities who wanted no more refugees within their
borders. MacIain then set a course for Bukavu and freedom – if fate and
Kivu cooperated.
A mix of shock, fear and relief settled over Skye, Sean and the 24 others
in the boat, making it easier to maintain silence during their escape under
the outboard motor’s deafening roar. The latter could be explained away
by Rwandan fishermen increasing their night catch. But any hint that the
cargo was Tutsi refugees escaping annihilation could be catastrophic for
those aboard and others praying for their future liberation along this last
uncompromised route.

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