Door to Kandalaura (7 page)

“To life on Earth and Kandalaura,” we said together.

“I think you'll find that our worship is not at all boring,” said Nicholas. “We're
very passionate about Jesus. You'll see.”

“Well, if everyone's had their fill of food, let's head over to the worship. I think
they've already started,” said Andron's father.

I, for one, had more than my fill of food, and I enjoyed every single bite. Even
though I felt awkward at times, I found the table conversation pretty interesting.
Now that we were headed over to the stage area, I had high anticipation for the
worship.

I was not disappointed.

Chapter 10

I HEAR THE LION ROAR

A
NDRON
, N
ICHOLAS
,
AND
I sat close to the front near the stage.

“Everything in our celebrations is meant to praise God,” said Andron. “But I think
you'll find that our worship is more intense.”

“Live worship,” said Nicholas. “That's what we call it.”

“Why is that?” I asked.

“You'll see,” responded Nicholas. “Sometimes Jesus Himself shows up.”

“Really,” I exclaimed. “What does He do when He shows up?”

“We never know what He's going to do,” said Andron. “One time He appeared in front
of the stage, stretched out His hands, and turned in a complete circle. As He did,
colors of the rainbow flashed from His hands and lit up the entire sky around us.
It was like your northern lights, absolutely spectacular. One thing is for sure:
our worship is never boring.”

Now some musicians were standing on the platform in front of us holding rain poles.
That's what I call them. On the downbeat and the third beat of every measure, they
pounded their poles onto the platform. It sounded like an army marching. Suddenly
three trumpeters stood, holding long, golden horns. They played in three part harmony
what sounded like the opening to the Olympic Games.

“Somebody important must be coming,” I said to Andron.

“It's a welcome for Jesus,” he said. “We always welcome Him with a fanfare to show
our respect. He's the most important person on our planet. Whether He shows up or
not doesn't matter. We always know that He hears us.”

“I never thought of respect like that,” I said.

More and more instruments were joining in now. Soon a full marching band was playing.
Then I saw it—the beginning of a processional. Men, women, and children were lined
up for as far as I could see carrying banners and flags. The first banner said, “KING
OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.” Andron read it in English for me.

The second banner had the picture of a lion on it. “What do the words underneath
the lion say?” I asked Andron.

“LION OF JUDAH,” said Andron, “Straight from your Bible.”

There was a child at each end holding the pole. Slowly they approached the front
of the stage. The entire procession was very stately and reverent.

“Not even our president gets a welcome like this,” I said.

Then I heard a loud roar. The lion on the banner had
come to life. He was moving
his head and his roars filled the air. My eyes must have been popping out of my head.
I was so startled I almost screamed but covered my mouth in time. I stepped back,
startled and thrilled at the same time. Andron and Nicholas were smiling. I felt
like they were saying, “We told you so.”

What followed next was a flag covered with flames signifying the fire and power
of God. Its carrier danced down the aisle, waving it back and forth as huge flames
shot out of it. Some fell to the ground, yet nothing caught on fire. It made me think
of Moses and the burning bush.

Behind this came a huge banner carried by two Kandalaurean men. It was royal blue.
Bolts of lightning shot out of it. Just like the flames, some hit the ground, yet
nothing caught on fire. Others lit up the sky. Peals of thunder shook the ground.
I thought we might be having an earthquake. It was a bit scary, yet awesome at the
same time. I looked over at Nicholas.

“I told you it would be live,” he said.

“You did,” I replied. “But I never expected it to be this much alive.”

One banner looked like a bluish green waterfall, yet nothing was getting wet.

“It's liquid worship,” said Andron.

The atmosphere was thick with what seemed like a river passing through us and around
us filled with love, peace, and joy. Nobody got soaked.

“I don't think we have anything on Earth that comes close to this,” I said.

“No,” said Andron. “But I wouldn't be surprised if you see it in heaven.” He smiled
his smile.

I continued watching the procession. Marchers put their banners and flags in special
holders in front and to
the sides of the stage. There may have been close to a hundred
of them.

Everything pictured on the banners came to life. Eagles soared in and out, and flowers
danced on banners leaving a sweet fragrance in the air. Trees waved their branches
and clapped to the beat of the poles and drums. A polar bear stood up on its hind
legs, uttered loud sounds, and waved its arms to the sky. Stars sparkled brightly
like diamond jewels and sang. It seemed as if all nature worshipped God.

As the last flag was set to rest, the man in the percussion section began playing
the huge drum. As it got louder and louder, the ground began to shake. I thought
we were going to have an earthquake.

“Andron, what's happening?” I asked.

“He's coming,” he shouted.

Before I could ask who, the Kandalaureans began to fall facedown on the ground. Some
were kneeling with their heads down. I began to kneel, and as I did, I saw Him. He
was mounted on a very muscular white steed. Gracefully and majestically He rode down
the center aisle. He was glorious!

“I've gotta tell Mom and Dad that I saw Jesus,” I whispered. “I can't believe it.
He's wonderful.”

“Don't talk. Just reverence Him,” said Nicholas.

I was awestruck, completely dumbfounded. Everyone else was worshipping Him, and there
I was, the only one with my head up.

When He got to the front, I thought He might turn around and face us. Instead He
simply rode into the sky over the stage and disappeared in a cloud.

“Whoa! That was amazing,” I whispered.

Now the drum had quieted down to nothing. No one spoke. Some Kandalaureans sat down
again.

A handsome young man with dark hair and blue eyes made his way to one side of the
stage. His face was radiant, as if covered with bronze or gold. In his hands was
a stringed instrument like a lyre. He began to play quietly and sing.

Slowly dancers made their way to the stage. They wore simple white garments, some
designed with jewels. Many had gold or silver bands around their waists or around
their heads. Some of the women wore wreaths of flowers in their hair. Their movements
were similar to our ballet.

A beautiful lady with long white hair came to the center front. Though her hair was
white, she didn't have a single wrinkle. Her blue eyes sparkled like Andron's. The
other dancers moved aside for her. With her toes she pushed herself up into the air
and stood suspended about five feet up. Two young men came and stood on either side
of her, pushing themselves about a foot in the air. All three raised their hands
separately to the sky and clasped them together over their heads. As flutes, whistles,
violins, and harps began to play, the three dancers began spinning midair. They spun
so fast, you couldn't see their faces, like ice skaters sometimes do at the end of
their performance.

As they were spinning, supernatural things began to happen. The sky lit up like gold
around them. The other dancers held their hands clasped above their heads also, becoming
like statues with their eyes fixed on the three. An emerald hue appeared above the
gold in the sky. Then all colors of the rainbow were visible. Blue flames shot out
of either side. Something that looked like glitter began falling from the sky.

Three women got up and sang in soft, airy tones. Voices
from a faraway place joined
them. I think they were actually singing with the angels:

“We love you, King of kings and Lord of lords. We worship You and you alone. We
adore You and Your Son, Jesus. To You belongs all power and glory forever.”

The singers sang louder, repeating the same words, till they were in full voice.
Then they were soft and airy again. All was quiet. No one made a sound. All Kandalaureans
had closed their eyes. Some were kneeling with their arms stretched to the sky. Others
were flat on the ground with arms stretched out front in worship.

I don't think I've ever been in such silence. I knew that the atmosphere was filled
with the glory of God. I could barely move my arms and legs. Even my breathing seemed
like an interruption. I didn't want this part to end. I wanted to breathe in that
glory forever.

Eventually the three dancers ceased their spinning and the woman descended to the
same height off the ground as the men. They took each others' hands and raised their
clasped hands to the sky. Slowly they began to turn in a circle, their feet still
suspended midair about a foot above the ground. A soft wind gently carried them to
the left of the stage. The other dancers all turned toward them. Then they were also
lifted and gently carried away by a soft breeze.

A clap of thunder broke the silence. Soft rain fell from the heavens, sprinkling
the ground. No one got wet. Still none of the Kandalaureans moved.

Finally the man with the lyre began to play a hymn that everyone seemed to know.
My knees were so weak from the glory of God in the atmosphere that I would have fallen
if Andron and Nicholas hadn't caught me.

As people sang, they began leaving their chairs and
formed a huge circle, holding
hands. When the hymn was finished they praised God, telling Him how much they loved
Him. They ended with another song as they danced in a circle. After hugging and embracing,
they scattered and departed for their homes.

“Whew!” I said, trying to catch my breath. “That was really something.”

“Did it meet your expectations?” asked Nicholas.

“I could never have dreamed up something like that in a million years,” I exclaimed.
As I started to walk, my legs wobbled and I fell. They had to catch me again. I laughed
because I felt almost intoxicated from the worship. They laughed too.

“Earthlings might not be able to handle our worship,” said Nicholas.

“That was way more intense than anything I know of,” I gasped. “I just wish Mom and
Dad could have been here.”

Andron gave me some fruit for energy, and we walked together to their house. We didn't
sleep in the house that night, but in the tree house Andron and Nicholas had designed.
I loved it, and I wished I had one like it back home.

I didn't know if I'd ever get to sleep that night. There were way too many thoughts
going through my earthly brain. This was by far the best day of my life. The last
thing I remember was laying my head down on a soft pillow.

“Tomorrow will be an exciting day for us,” said Andron. “I have some special surprises
in store for you, Mikey.”

There was no reply from me.

Chapter 11

FLYING HORSES

T
HE
NEXT
MORNING
I woke to the singing of a tiny bird perched on the open window.
I'm sure he said, “Good morning,” although I didn't actually hear the words. It was
the concept of his wishes for me that I heard in my mind. I had only been awake for
a few minutes, but thoughts came to mind almost faster than I could process them.
I wondered how much my brain would accelerate if I continued my stay on Kandalaura,