Torn asunder, p.21
Torn Asunder,
p.21
Hannah smiled at him, and he kissed the tip of her petite nose. The garden door slid open, and they both scurried to sit up in the hammock, untangling themselves from the netting and from each other. Mrs. Stern came outside balancing a paper fan and a tall glass of lemonade in one hand and a plate of brownies in another. “Mr. Stern asked me to tell you the doctor’s here for your shoulder,” she told Simon. “And you, sweetie ...” She sat down in the bench across from Hannah and smiled slyly. “I thought you might want a little snack. Nothing works up an appetite like honeymooning.”
Simon didn’t have to look at his wife to guess the shade of red creeping into her cheeks. He and Hannah both stood at the same time, and he touched the back of her shoulder. “I’ll be back soon,” he whispered.
“I’ll be here waiting.”
“There’s no hurry, darling,” Mrs. Stern called after him. “A girl’s got to eat to keep up her energy, you know.”
He glanced at Hannah’s timid smile, and for a moment he faltered. He didn’t want to leave her for even a few minutes. Then he remembered. This was forever. When Mr. Stern joined their lives in marriage, it wasn’t so they could spend a little time together again before they headed out for their next mission. No, this was different. This time, there would be no more good-byes.
Behind them both, the empty hammock rocked gently in the breeze.
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Did you know? All the song lyrics in Torn Asunder (with the exception of the hymns My Jesus, I Love Thee and It Is Well) come from the Remnant album from Christian singer/songwriter Cherie Norquay. Listen to her music or download her album at www.cherienorquay.com. Used with permission.
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NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
I first heard about a group of secret North Korean missionaries in a Voice of the Martyrs newsletter several years ago. I was impressed at the young ages of these underground workers and at the courage they showed going back into North Korea when everybody would agree the most logical route would be out of such a brutal country.
The other aspect of their ministry that jumped out to me was that these missionaries were to travel alone. After months of training together, they would have to cross the border and continue their ministry solo for their own safety. I didn’t know it at the time, but the seeds for my third North Korea novel had just been planted.
The students I read about were sent over the border years ago. I do not know if any survived. I do not know if any were imprisoned. But I do know that the God who sustains them in their trials is the same God watching over Christians the whole world over.
If Torn Asunder is my first novel you’ve read, I’d like to thank you for joining me. Torn Asunder shares a few minor characters introduced in other books, and I hope you come back to read more. If you have read The Beloved Daughter, you may recognize a few of the people who play into this story, like Hannah’s friends from Sanhe. They are several years younger than you remember them, however, since the events in Torn Asunder take place while Chung-Cha is a teenager in Camp 22 (pronounced “Two-Two”).
Torn Asunder couldn’t have been written and published without the prayers, encouragement, and practical support of a whole team. My thanks go out to my story editor, Nat Davis, and copy editor, Sheila Hollinghead. I appreciate the professional thoroughness you both bring to each project you’ve helped me with. I also relied heavily on feedback from my beta readers, and am exceptionally grateful for the advanced reviewers and bloggers who helped me spread the word about my release. I’d like to especially mention Annie Douglas Lima, who consistently goes beyond the call of duty when it comes to the thoroughness of her beta reading.
Regi McClain, as always, offered support in a wide variety of ways. She is my critique partner as well as my prayer partner, who doubles as an editorial assistant and helps me tremendously with her amazing organizational skills. I’d also like to thank my other friends, those I’ve met in “real life” and those I haven’t, who pray for me and my writing and bring so much encouragement. I would also like to mention Jon and Dabin and others who helped field my questions about Korean culture.
Cherie Norquay is an amazingly talented recording artist who was kind enough to let me use her lyrics in this novel. I was surprised time and time again by how perfectly her words fit in with everything Hannah and Simon went through. She is truly blessed and anointed by the Holy Spirit, and I love the way her lyrics give Hannah a true voice.
My husband remains my biggest fan and supporter. I am so thankful the Lord allowed us to enjoy such sweet romance and companionship. There is no way I could have written Hannah and Simon’s story if I hadn’t already known the thrill of being loved by someone so wonderful.
With each book I work on, I’m reminded of my own weaknesses. While writing Torn Asunder, carpal tunnel flare-ups and frequent eye strain reminded me I couldn’t draft a single word if the Lord wasn’t the one sustaining me. Additionally, the spiritual and emotional toil of getting a novel edited and ready to publish would be insurmountable barriers if the Lord didn’t go before me and allow me to complete one more book.
Torn Asunder is dedicated to the brave men and women from North Korea who sneak back home to share the gospel and those who live out their faith in the most hostile mission field on earth. May the Lord protect and provide for all your needs, and may your stories continue to encourage and inspire us as you bring the gospel to people living in darkness and oppression.
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Alana Terry, Torn Asunder
