Faith Wash over Me

PROLOGUE

The room buzzed with chatter. This, along with the cling-cling of dishes, drowned out the anxious thoughts threatening to crowd his mind.

Thirty minutes. Was it enough? Would it help them?

Trust Me. It will.

The master of ceremonies began speaking. Darkness enveloped the room before lights flickered from the screen. Once the footage had ended, the lights returned and the chairperson spoke. Elegance. Understanding.

They announced his name and he stood, taking the index cards with him. Once he had walked forward and stood on the stage, he surveyed the huge room. They wanted to help, just as he did.

He looked down at his index cards. He wouldn’t need these.

He just needed to tell what happened. All of it.

After a quick silent prayer, he began to speak.

CHAPTER ONE

December 25, 2004

David Cole felt immortal.

He knew that one day he would die—one day—but certainly not today.

How could he die in this glorious paradise? He stood on the beach—the warm, white sand underneath his feet. The tropical air with its beautiful sun beat against his back while the sounds of small ocean waves slapped softly against the shoreline to his left. Paradise. He laughed as Nicolas, his twenty-three-year-old brother, who aimed his camcorder to capture their uncle attempting lopsided cartwheels through the water.

David had to laugh. Bad! So bad, Robert!

You were obviously not in the Olympics, Nick hollered.

Very funny! Robert chuckled. He dashed right up behind Janet, yanking her curly brown ponytail.

Hey! she yelled, twisting around and giving her husband a playful shove. Robert laughed and began tickling her in the ribs. They chased each other around playfully like ten-year-olds instead of a married couple in their forties.

Behave, you two! David jogged over to them with Nick in tow. Behave.

You should talk, Robert eyed him evilly before splashing seawater into David’s face.

David jerked back and laughed. Nice one. He scooped up some water and threw it at Robert, who threw his hands up playfully.

Nick laughed and focused the camera on them. You’re acting like children!

It’s Christmas! Robert protested. You’re suppose to act like a child.

If you don’t behave, you won’t get your surprise tomorrow! Nick said.

"Yeah, so where are we going?"

David patted Robert on the back. You’ll see.

Come on, I know you and Nicolas are planning something.

I can tell you, but then I’d have to kill ya, David warned. He winked at Nick, who grinned and adjusted the camera.

And we’re all going? Robert asked. This is a family thing.

Of course.

David grinned once more. Ah, paradise. Vacationing in paradise for Christmas. He took it in. Tall, angular palm trees reached to the sky. Lush vegetation, including bright green ferns and plumeria flowers, decorated the hotels and lined the boulevard. White beaches blanketed the shore. Rolling hills, covered in luscious green trees, acted as a scenic backdrop. Some people ran by dressed in tennis shoes and swimsuits. Rolls of bright white beach chairs and umbrellas lined themselves up neatly along the beach. Beautiful Asian women walked by in pairs, chatting excitedly as their silky long hair blew in the wind. Several stray dogs splashed through the water. Families waded in the translucent blue ocean while white, long, canoe-like sundries dotted the ocean horizon in the distance. Paradise. Smaller islands floated on the blue ocean horizon, giving the entire scene a heavenly feel. And behind him locals and tourists lived it up shopping in nearby plazas or eating at bar-restaurants. He could even hear Christmas music traveling through the air from them. This could be Malibu or San Diego. But this was Phuket, Thailand.

Paradise. His first trip overseas. Yes.

Janet and I usually stay in the city, though we’ve come here for scuba diving and snorkeling before, Robert said. Yesterday he had taken the brothers diving, just one of the sports he and Janet had become fans of since they moved to Bangkok as expatriates two years ago. I knew you would enjoy all this.

David chuckled to himself now as he pictured Robert and Janet enjoying tomorrow’s surprise Christmas gift of bungee jumping. Oh, they’re in for it!

Nick, handing the camcorder to Janet, came up to David’s side. When Janet and Robert moved away from them, the brothers faced the ocean.

We’re on, he muttered into David’s shoulder. The bungee jump was Nick’s idea. He found out about it from a Phuket tourist pamphlet and called them yesterday. We’re gonna make them scream.

That’s mean, bro.

Yeah, I know.

You sure they can handle it?

What about you, little brother? Can you? Nick stuck out his chest, as if challenging him.

Piece of cake.

We’ll see. Nick broke into a wide grin as some water slid over their feet.

Just cause you did it once in Chiapas, Mr. Missionary, doesn’t mean I can’t, David teased.

What’s going on? Janet called over.

Nothing! Nick called back. To David he whispered. OK, we’re suppose to be at the jumping site at 10 a.m. he instructed. Since there may be traffic and we’re taking those tuk-tuk things, we have to leave the hotel no later than nine fifteen to be there on time, alright?

Alright.

You gotta be there, in the lobby, or we can’t go.

I’ll be there.

I mean it man. Don’t get all drunk and then end up not showing up—

Alright man, knock it off! David hissed.

Not too loud. Nick whispered, reaching behind David’s back.

Alright I— Nick grabbed David’s swimming trunks, yanking them up into a serious wedgie. David pushed his brother playfully. Hey! he laughed, adjusting his shorts just as a young woman walked by. Mmmm-hmmm—a beautiful Asian woman with a tiny blue bikini and a beautiful figure to match. David began stepping backward, eyeing her backside.

OOOF! He stumbled backward over an object, flopping in the water. He looked down to see a ten-year-old girl with long dark hair sitting in the water, rubbing her bottom.

I’m sorry, are you hurt? David asked, slightly alarmed. He reached out his hand and pulled her to her feet. She looked more embarrassed than hurt, although she grinned.

Ich bin okay. Sorry, she giggled in German. Her mother came running up.

I’m sorry, David told her loudly. I ran into your daughter by mistake.

She speaks German. She’s not deaf, Janet laughed, coming up to David now.

It’s fine, the mother laughed with a deep accent. She shook David’s hand and smiled. Janet wished her Merry Christmas. Mother and daughter continued jogging down the beach while the girl waved at them.

Hey love, let’s get something cool. Robert called out as he jogged over with the camera.

I’ll get margaritas, Janet volunteered. She gave Robert a kiss on the cheek. Behave, she warned, and darted up the beach. Robert just chuckled, handed Nick his camera, and patted Nick and David on their backs.

Paradise.

Agreed. David nodded.

Janet and I speak good Thai now.

I can barely say ‘hello.’ Good thing you knew the difference between ordering duck eggs and ant eggs, or I would have left my apatite in the States.

You pick it up after you’ve been around for a while, Robert explained.

The three men walked up the beach to the street where motorbikes, tuk-tuks (three-wheeled taxis), and other cars mingled with walking pedestrians. Most tourists were European and Australian, although there were some Americans. Janet, standing near a seafood restaurant-bar, beckoned them inside. Once they sat at a table with an ocean view, Janet handed everyone their margaritas. David sipped his.

This is virgin, he observed.

Actually I made both of yours virgin, Janet replied. She and Robert looked at David intently.

David sighed, exasperated. Great, he grumbled.

Remember the DUI? Robert reminded him, but he quickly patted David on the shoulder. You gotta make better choices, Dave. For you.

Exactly, Nick chimed in, swirling his glass. Being a drunk’s sinful behavior anyway.

David glared at him.

Dave, look, you’re smart, and I’m very proud of you, Robert assured him. But you’re an adult. You gotta think and take more responsibility, alright?

David nodded reluctantly. Maybe Robert was right. Dad wouldn’t have spoken this kindly.

Hey, it’s Christmas. Just relax. Are you guys going out tonight? There’re different kinds of entertainment around here—although there’s some things I would avoid.

We’ll be fine, David muttered, glancing at Nick. I won’t get arrested or anything.

Nick just looked at him. We’re still having our Christmas dinner, right? Little bro, you can have wine then.

David slammed his glass down. I thought drinking alcohol was a deadly sin.

No. Being a drunk is.

Hey! Janet held up her hand. Just stop, OK? Let’s just eat something.

Nick nodded and looked at David humbly. Hey man, please forgive me for that. He held out his fist and David tapped it with his own.

That’s when David spotted a young woman at the bar several feet away. She had beautiful blond hair and a white summer dress that fit her hourglass figure and revealed her sexy back. When she turned and spotted David looking at her, she grinned.

He grinned back. She flashed another smile, tossing her hair back.

Hold on, I see someone over there, he said.

Robert noticed her and shook his head. Boy, you are something else.

But David didn’t hear him. He had to talk to her.

Yeah, he felt immortal.

*     *     *

He woke up twisted up in white bed sheets in a room flooded with sunlight. A woman’s bra lay at his side. Oh yeah. Marie. The hot beauty in the white summer dress. David smiled at the memory and leaned on his elbow. She had a rental car, and they drove back to her hotel last night. Where was she anyway? Probably the beach. He rubbed his head. Slight headache, but he still felt great.

David sat up, untangled himself from the sheets, stretched, and swung his legs over the side of the bed. Marie’s clothes, and his, were strewn on the floor, along with empty bottles of Singha beer. Wow, they really did have a crazy night. The Kappa Phi brothers would love this! David grinned again and looked down at his pants. His wallet, cell phone and passport were still in the pocket. Good. Now he reached for his watch on the nightstand.

He looked at the time and his jaw dropped.

What?!!!

It couldn’t be that late in the morning!

The bungee jump!

David cursed and jumped up quickly.

NO, he read the time wrong. It couldn’t be almost ten! That would mean… .

He looked again.

Nine fifty-two a.m.

Oh no!

No!

David grabbed his phone quickly, dialing Nick’s phone number.

Oh no, no, no!

It rang once and went to voicemail.

Wait. He had a voicemail. Had Nick tried to call him? He listened to the message as he began pulling on his pants rapidly.

No, not Nick, Robert:

"Where are you? We can’t go cause’ you’re not here! At least let us know if you’re alright . . ." David hung his head now. I’m disappointed here. You’re an adult, but you’re being irresponsible. Look, forget about it, just call us. I love you, OK?

Great. He rubbed his head in frustration. Just great.

Stupid, David cussed. He dialed Nick’s phone, which immediately went to voicemail this time. Nick, I’m sorry, I swear to God. Please give me a call OK? I’m serious, I’m on my way.

David hung up and cursed again, wondering why Nick hadn’t called him, why it went to voicemail.

He must still be ticked off about last night, he thought as he buttoned his pants quickly.

Marie, the beauty from Sweden, was here on holiday with college friends, and they made arrangements with David and Nick to meet again at a cafe after dinner. The group ended up checking out some of the night spots further up the road in Patong. While Nick enjoyed drinking soda and chatting with other tourists, David and Marie danced wildly with other patrons and downed kamikaze shots in a rambunctious drinking contest. They left the establishment, ready to head to another, but Nick wanted to go back to the hotel.

Oh come on, bro. David chuckled, holding a giggling Marie close. It’s early!

Dude, it’s after one a.m., you’re drunk, and we have a big day tomorrow.

David laughed sarcastically. There you go, treating me like some eight-year-old!

You’re wasted, man! Nick hissed. You said you’d be there!

And I will, man! Alright? David informed him coldly. He held Marie’s hand while Marie whispered something to her friend about Nick and chuckled. David lowered his voice. Don’t embarrass me man, we’re just gonna check out some spots.

Nick had glared at him. You’re going to hook up with her.

Dude, so what?

Nick sighed, shaking his head. You know it’s not right. God doesn’t—"

That’s the problem with you, man! David shouted. You’re always preachin’ at me!

I’m sick of you doin’ this, man! Nick snapped, getting in his face.

Back off, man! David yelled back.

You’re being irresponsible! Nick yelled. Always thinking about yourself!

David heard Dad’s voice coming through and he shoved Nick in frustration. Nick pushed back hard. David shoved harder and Nick stumbled off the curb, regaining his balance while Marie’s friends and others on the street laughed.

Grow up, man! Nick hollered. More heads turned.

Oh, Dad’s favorite telling me to grow up? And be like you, not getting any? Go read your Bible! David roared. More people laughed and Nick just tightened his lip.

You better not screw it up tomorrow! I’m warning ya! He turned and stormed off.

David remembered thinking that he shouldn’t have said that, but then they drank at a couple of more bars, Marie suggested they go back to her hotel, a beachfront resort, which is where they ended up.

Oh man, stupid! He stuffed his phone and belongings in his pants pocket, and jammed his feet into his shoes. David darted into Marie’s bathroom where he found his shirt, threw it on, and caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. Not bad for a twenty-one-year-old, he thought momentarily. He had hazel eyes, dark-brown cropped hair that spiked up slightly in the front, a narrow face, a soft chin with a very slight cleft, broad shoulders, muscular arms, a tanned torso and sex appeal. He smiled—

You’re being irresponsible.

—and his shoulders dropped.

Nicolas wanted to do something nice, but crazy, for Robert and Janet who, along with David and Nick’s parents, paid for the brothers to go on this trip. David and Nick had already enjoyed several days in Bangkok as Janet and Robert took them around the city. The brothers had used their own money to pay for the bungee jumps. This was supposed to be their way of saying thanks.

David turned away from the mirror in shame. He had to find Marie to give him a ride back. Her resort, it turned out, was a mile or so from their hotel, and David wasn’t familiar with the area or the taxi service to find his way back. He decided to look for her on the beach. He left the room.

As he heard the splashing of water and giggling of children from the resort swimming pool, he thought of how to make it up to them. Maybe he could talk to the bungee instructor, or maybe he could take Robert out for a nice dinner. Something. David headed for the beach, jogging past the swimming pool and cabana bars, which were nestled among the tall palm trees in the courtyard of the cozy three-story resort. I just can’t measure up to Nick’s perfectly good behavior. And God? I can’t even relate—

David stopped abruptly when he got to the beach, mesmerized at what he saw.

He wasn’t the only one who noticed. Others on the beach stared at it too. The main road, just behind him, resembled a parking lot with drivers leaning against their tuk-tuks, puzzled by the sight. David walked further down the beach for a closer look.

What was this?

He stood on the white stand of the shoreline with the other stunned onlookers. Over to his right, Marie stood, waving at him and saying, Look, the water!

What water? David asked her.

There was no water.

Was he imagining this?

The entire beach had been drained like a tub.

White boats lay abandoned on their sides. The dried-up bay revealed dark blue puddles of water on the sea floor, along with coral drying in the sun. Fish flopped on the sand, and local residents and tourists picked them up excitedly. The water appeared as a small, grayish-white, thin line in the distance. It hovered, as if held back by something.

Something’s not right.

David dialed Nick’s number again. Voicemail. Bro, the water’s totally trippin’ down here! You gotta see this! He hung up.

He gazed at the water, now resembling a heap, in wonder and apprehension.

And he felt something wash over his feet, fast.

Startled, David looked down to see—water! It wasn’t there before, now it filled the whole bay, causing the perfectly-lined lounge chairs around him to float. What on earth?

He jumped backward, hearing the word run in his mind, but remaining transfixed by the distant heap of water that seemed to be growing.

That’s when he heard and felt rumbling.

That ugly grayish-white, almost black heap of water wasn’t growing, but rumbling toward them—fast. Wait. That’s not—

Run, David! Marie shrieked in terror. Run!

CHAPTER TWO

January 20, 2010—Six years later

The three hundred chatty teenagers and college students sat in their chairs, ready to listen. Music boomed from the sound system overhead, and the students stood up to cheer and clap. The youth pastor waved his arms and encouraged everyone to sing the lyrics projected on the screen.

Come. Now is the time to worship, they all sang, pumped and ready to go. David Cole, just off to the side, stood with them swinging to the music. He sang to God and clapped his hands. In few a minutes he’d be speaking to them as an audience. Meanwhile, he began to sing the lyrics. One day every tongue will confess You are God…

Okay, it wasn’t David’s favorite music. He liked Skillet better. But at least it set the mood for his speech. Some of these audience members were in college, but most were in high school, and they’d been here to see a musical performance put on by the San Jose megachurch. Testimonies would follow the performance; testimonies that included his own. He knew what he’d say. It was all on the three-by-five index cards tucked in his pocket:

1) encourage them to make the right choices

2) take responsibility

3) even find hope in God.

They just needed to know that; anything to help them.

After the song, the youth pastor, a stocky guy with glasses and a neatly trimmed goatee, jogged back onto the stage and more people clapped.

We know that our Lord reigns, Pastor Jack told them. And God is the answer to all our problems. He has all the answers.

David shifted his weight uncomfortably as Pastor Jack continued.

"We’re going to hear from two people who have seen God’s work in their lives. The first is David Cole. He’s a Bay Area native, he’s only 27, but he survived the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami, and now God uses him to reach others. He’s published a book, Finding Faith, and he speaks to churches and youth groups around the Bay Area. Everyone welcome David Cole."

The room exploded with applause. David stepped away from his seat, walked to the front of the room and shook Pastor Jack’s hand. He looked down to adjust the tiny microphone pinned to his shirt collar. After glancing once more at his index cards, David took the position in the center of the stage.

Hey guys! he called out. How is everyone?

Woohoo! and Fine! filled the air.

Thank you for coming tonight to listen to all of our testimonies, he said. He meant that. Really, who would want to hear someone speak like a lecturer? I’m from Sunnyvale. Attended Sunnyvale High. A dozen cheers lit the room. Go Spartans! More cheers surfaced before they all died down. How many of you are planning to go to college?

Many raised their hands.

How many of you hope to, but aren’t sure you’ll go to college?

Some hesitantly raised their hands.

How many of you would say you’re going through something right now—it could be anything—tough time at school, a bad break-up, anything?

About half raised their hands.

I want to tell you you’re not alone, and you will get through it. God will help you through it, and He’ll help you make the right decision. You just have to let him. I know I wasn’t concerned about Him. Heck, I wasn’t looking for Him when He came into my life. I was in college, in the Kappa Phi fraternity. I’d go out drinking every weekend, and I’d hook up with various girls. I got my party on, but I was empty… .

He told them about that day—not too much—just enough to let them know he’d gone through something bad. Then he spoke to them in detail about his walk with God in the months that followed. Finally he transitioned into thoughtful advice.

Don’t give into that peer pressure, he walked back and forth as he scanned the audience. Girls, you don’t have to give into sex just to get popular. And if you have, you’re not a slut. You made a mistake, just like everyone else. Guys, you’re still a man if you wait. He paused. Maybe you’re going through something non-sexually related. You’re not alone. There are others who feel isolated, just like you.

Some clapped and others mumbled in agreement. Hopefully, someone would be helped. After finishing his speech, David sat down and the other person stood to give hers.

The one part he disliked about these speaking engagements was the book-signing. Although he promoted the book, which he self-published, he didn’t sell as much as he hoped, and he didn’t get as much feedback. People were more impressed by his speaking than his writing, but that was OK. While he sometimes liked the attention, he reminded himself constantly that helping others to be more responsible, to find more in life, was the better reward.

In his book, Finding Faith, he talked about how God propelled him to really look at his life and make a change. David reflected on how he began making that change by a commitment to Christ. Jesus had saved his life. He hoped to communicate what God really meant to him.

But what did He really mean to him?

He meant something. He had to mean enough to help whoever he could.

*     *     *

It knocked him over with a great crushing weight. It squeezed him like a python, constricting his chest, sending piercing pains down the right side of his rib cage. He plunged further into blackness and he tried frantically to push himself to the surface. His legs became entangled in tree branches and bungee rope and he saw the eyes, glaring at him.

David jumped out of bed quickly, scanning the room, frightened at the vision and sensation.

His heart pounded, until he slowly focused on his room. Now it slowed.

A dream.

He sat down and looked down at his pajamas. He was drenched.

Great. He sighed, got out of bed, shed his pajamas bottoms, and threw on some dry clothes. Maybe he should hop on the computer to get his mind off the dream. He had a lot of friends from the high school ministry on Facebook, along with his own friends, like Mark Johnson, and family members. They wouldn’t be up this late, though. Maybe he could check out the other Web site.

No, he shouldn’t. He’d better go to bed. Just as he crawled back in, his Blackberry rang.

Hello?

Heyzz bro, a slurred voice responded.

David sat up.

Nick, what is it?

I’m juzz havin’ a good time and theyz stardin something. They sayin’ I need to take it outside! I ain’t done nothin’ OK? I wuz just talking to her. I’m tellin’ it like it izzz. Nicolas cursed. You-youse pick me up? I can’t find my car…

David shook his head and sighed.

Davezz?

Yeah, yeah, alright. Where are you?

Nick told him the name of the club. I’ma waiting, alright?

Give me twenty, David said and hung up. He rubbed his eyes and moaned. Nicolas, thrown out of another nightspot. Nicolas, the former jokester with a wide grin, ever-smiling in the picture someone took of him standing with the children during his trip to Chiapas. Nicolas, the alcoholic God left behind.

Getting his older brother out of yet another bar was not his favorite thing, but David had to make sure Nicolas was home safe.

CHAPTER THREE

Wednesday—January 27, 2010

Mark Johnson stood at the lectern, motioning with his hands for everyone to settle down.

You’ve heard from Bernadette and Colleen. Now you will hear from David Cole, a good friend of mine and a recent graduate of San Jose State University.

Not that recent, David corrected playfully. Don’t lie. You’re a pastor.

Everyone laughed.