Beginning with an e-mailed letter one year ago, twenty two letters were received from young people in the far off land of Caperston. Twenty one were from a young man named Mattpaul and the last, received on December 10th, from his best friend, Huchfee.

Much has been happening in Caperston involving the teachings of a "prophet" named Chi-hay-su and the imprisonment of the writer of the first 21 letters, Mattpaul. The book, The Chest of Visions, records each of these letters, telling the story of Caperston, while reflecting on the way of life of its inhabitants. Now the story continues.

January Letters On January 14th Huchfee reported that the situation in Caperston is of developing chaos. Three days ago Mattpaul's father called him in and stated that he did not know whom he can trust. On the same day Huchfee reports that Pontos plans to give Zester a new position - to supervise the palace guard and the police force of Caperston. Zester will now report directly to Pontos himself. Later in the month Jonas reported that Chihaysu had just left for the desert. It is an area that no one from Caperston has gone. He took water, a sleeping blanket and some books. Lastly, Laura from New York, in the letter published on January 30th, asks Huchfee for the name of Mattpaul's father. He is such an important man in Caperston yet all the letters simply refer to him as "my friend's father". Click January Letters for the entirety of the correspondence received and published in January 2014. February Letters In February, letters were received describing the meeting of Princess Cle-as of Romas with Chihaysu. She makes him a threefold proposition - see letter of February 10th. In addition, in the letter of Feb.26th it is revealed that Mattpaul's father is named Pav-ed and he has requested that the Ruler of Caperston, Pontos, appoint Huchfee to be the official "Youth Representative" in place of Zester, who was promoted to the position of overseer of the police. Click February Letters for the entirety of the correspondence received and published in February 2014. March Letters In March, letters were received describing concerns. "Marcus visited the Mountain Village where he was raised and reports that the youth are becoming increasingly agitated." In addition,Chihaysu appointed a new follower, Annad, to watch over the funds that he and his followers have received as donations. Lastly, Michaeling led Caperston youth in a candle ceremony stating "When you pray, light your candle then speak with God. Let us see how bright the prayers to God will make this room." Click March Letters for the entirety of the correspondence received and published in February 2014. April Letters Turmoil has come to a head in Caperston. Huchfee reports in his letter of April 7th that the Mountain youth were confronted by a group of the palace enforcers led by Zester. More specifically ... "Suddenly and without warning Zester called out, "Charge", leading the attack. The Mountain Youth had no weapons and began to run but the soldiers did not stop. The soldiers caught those who were not fast runners and began spearing them. We were told that ten youth were wounded and fifteen were killed. Seven of those killed were girls and Zester was seen stabbing two of the girls." We are awaiting further news of the unrest in Caperston. Click April Letters for the entirety of the correspondence received and published in April 2014. May letters The month of May brought great drama to Caperston ... "Another leader among the Mountain Youth called out, 'Then we will banish this traitor from our Mountain home. Go, traitor,' and he gave him a shove. 'Go live with your wretched Valley People'. He gave him a second shove and Dustin fell." Shortly afterwards Dawnling cried out, "How could you do this to my and your dear friend Dustin. Don't you remember how you were all fed because he shared his lunch with you at the meeting with Chihaysu?" In response the other youth became remorseful. They cried out, "We did not know what we were doing and now more blood of Mountain Youth has been shed." Jonas and Pav-ed were amazed at the influence Dawnling had over the Mountain Youth as their anger turned to repentance. Later a valley youth spoke out, "Pav-ed, it is wise to listen to what Chihaysu is saying. If this God is within him and his followers, then we should respect this. If this God is simply something of their imagination, then the things being taught will soon become past memories." Click May Letters for the entirety of the correspondence received and published in May 2014. June letters During the month of June only two letters were received but the second letter was a shocker. Huchfee reported ..." 'You weak, old man',Zester responded, 'what good are you?' I had, by now just arrived on the deck in the back of the boat. Zester pointed his finger at Pav-ed chest and repeated, 'You weak old man' then, suddenly pushed him backwards over the side of the boat. He was unaware that I witnessed what he had done Read below for more information on the impact of this crime.. The murder of the second in command by a classmate of Huchfee? Click June Letters for the entirety of the correspondence received and published in June 2014. July Letters We learned Pav-ed did not die as follows ... "Suddenly he had a vision... of Mattpaul, who stated, "I am well father, in heaven. Will you now believe? Believe father. God has called you to be the new surprise follower of Chihaysu. Believe and you will be saved." Pav-ed called out, "My son ... I believe" . Click July Letters for the entirety of the correspondence received and published in July 2014.

August 4th

Laura and Alex ...

Laura Laura and all ... I can't write for long and I know it has been sometime since you have heard from me. With Pav-ed alive, many changes are happening and I will share them with you soon.. First I have to say that I told Michaeling of Matthew Paul's fate. She prays every day and promised to do so for Matthew Paul and Julia. We do not have things like "foster homes" in Caperston. Exactly what are they?

Now I have to tell you of the kickuml game. It was very close, a six to five score. I played on Dawnling's team and Marcus played on Michaeling's team. That way we mixed the teams with both Mountain Youth and Valley Youth. Guess who scored the winning goal? It was Mattpaul's sister Rachaeling as Dawnling's team was the winner. It seemed just right that the winning goal in a game honoring Mattpaul and Dustin would be scored by Mattpaul's sister.

Everyone, except for Pontos and Zester came out to watch the game and cheer us on. One of my best days ever in Caperston.

I will write soon with an update.

Huchfee

August 8th

Hi Huchfee and friends, Your story gets more and more interesting and we are really happy to hear of the kickuml game. Yes, it is special that Mattpaul's sister scored the winning goal at his memorial. Sometimes I wonder if God intervened to make it happen. Jim finished his song - with two verses for all of you and we would like to share it.

Praise him, praise the Lord, our God

Listen to him, his message is filled with truth

Follow him in everything you say and do ... Praise the Lord, our God

In Caperstan ... a man came to tell the truth

Mattpaul believed ... and followed him

But his father did not ... agree with his son

Mattpaul's death and vision ... convinced him

So we must pray ... though it seems strange

Chihaysu taught us that God ... listens

Mountain and Valley youth ... will become one

Mattpaul's death and vision convinced them

Praise him, praise the Lord, our God

Listen to him, his message is filled with truth

Follow him in everything you say and do ... Praise the Lord, our God

To answer your question a foster home is a family that takes in a child who has nowhere else to live. This way he is with a family who loves he or she and provides for their needs. Most foster families have children of their own and foster children.We have no new news on Julia and Matthew Paul yet but when Julia gets a safe home for Matthew Paul he will be able to return and live with his mother who gave birth to him.

We will never forget the challenges you are facing and we hope this song is encouraging.

Alex

August 11th

Dear friends from Earth,

With Pav-ed (now Sav-ed) gone, I returned to the job I held after I completed school. I make less money but that is all right as I cannot work for Pontos or Zester. Michaeling organized another prayer meeting and, after the success of the kickuml game, several Mountain Youth attended. I shared Jim's song about Caperston with everyone, reading it as a poem as we do not know the melody. Rachaeling stated that she would work on writing a tune for the lyrics. She is a very good musician.

I was careful not to share with those present the fact that Sav-ed is still alive. Only Michaeling and Rachaeling know. Rachaeling told her mother and she agrees that this good news must remain a secret.

Our prayer meeting went well and we prayed about many things. It started with a hope that Matthew Paul and Julia from Earth would feel the sense of the presence of God and that Julia would find a home so that Matthew Paul could return to her. Then we prayed that the uprising between the Mountain Youth against the Valley People will find a peaceful resolution. Those responsible for Dustin's death were arrested by Zester are in jail. We understand the frustrations that exist and we all (even the mountain youth who were present) agree that it is no excuse to murder, particularly someone like Dustin who was trying to calm the anger of his fellow Mountain Youth. It is difficult to be a believer in Caperston.

Michaeling was so wise. Whenever we got confused or upset, she said, "Let's pray". Everyone present joined in and many reminded us that Dustin was praying when he was killed. We completed our meeting by repeating the chorus of the "Praise Him" song, leaving with the words of the song on our hearts: Praise him, praise the Lord, our God ... Listen to him, his message is filled with truth ... Follow him in everything you say and do � Praise the Lord, our God

In two days Michaeling and I will visit Chihaysu and, hopefully, Sav-ed as it will be my day off from work.

Huchfee

August 14th

Huchfee - I am starting to believe something unusual and special is happening. Your story of Pav-ed becoming Sav-ed is so similar to the story of the greatest of all Christian missionaries Paul. He was blinded by a bright light and Pav-ed is blinded by the minerals in the water. Paul was known as Saul and has a vision of Jesus. Pav-ed has a vision of his son Mattpaul and takes the new name, Sav-ed. I just got the Chest of Visions book and began reading - the thing about parallel universes is coming more and more real. I am glad I met you and discovered the book. Keep safe and keep in touch.

Darren

August 17th

Darren, Laura and Alex ...

I wish we could get a copy of that book but, as good as our compol can be, it can only receive a message not an actual book. And our messages sometimes come jumbled and they are like a puzzle to straighten out - fortunately a relatively easy puzzle.

When I last wrote I advised that on my day off Michaeling and I would be visiting with Chihaysu and hopefully Sav-ed. We did not see Sav-ed but learned that Cle-as from Romas had requested a visit from Chihaysu. Chihaysu asked one of his new followers Ammed , who had become treasurer of the group, for funds to provide for needed provisions to travel to Romas. Ammed then made an admission: he and his wife, Jewel, had borrowed some of the funds raised for a repair to their house. He stated that he intended to repay the funds in the future. But did not presently have them.

Ammed was very remorseful and sad for the decision he and his wife made. He asked Chihaysu to forgive him and promised to do extra work top repay the debt. He suddenly felt very tired and collapsed. He was assisted to a bed and Chihaysu stated that he appeared to have the AHT disease that his mother had. The next day Chihaysu summoned Ammed's wife, Jewel, and confronted her about using the funds for their home repair. Jewel denied the usage of the funds not once , not twice but three times. After the third lie Jewel was taken to see her husband, who had been asleep for more than a day. She tried to wake him , calling out, "Ammed, tell them we did not take any money". Ammed did not respond and suddenly Jewel had a seizure, collapsed and stopped breathing. Chihaysu tried to revive her but is unable to do so. An inspection of our treasury shows that there are only three denorites left when there was fifty at one time. Two of the remaining three denorites will be used to purchase a line in the Book of the Dead for Jewel who will be buried in the pit with criminals. Chihaysu reminded us that Ammed was repentant and, though he did steal the money, the man Jesus from Earth taught us all to be forgiving. He asks everyone to pray that Ammed will overcome the AHT disease.

We leared that a day later Ammed woke up from his sleep and advised his intention to work to repay the treasury at three denorites per week. Chihaysu states that this is fair and that Ammed must wait until he is fully recovered before beginning the extra work he will do to earn the money to repay the debt. We also learned that Jonas and Sav-ed volunteered to visit Cle-as in Romas. Sav-ed will visit his wife, in secret, and ask her for provisions for their journey so that no funds are needed from the treasury. Chihaysu asks that the journey be next week as he wishes time to spend in prayer with Sav-ed to prepare him for the journey and to understand how to reply to Cle-as as the reason for her inquiry is unknown.

After spending seven days with Sav-ed, Chihaysu called all of his followers together. Marcus had told him of all the prayer meetings Michaling had scheduled especially when emotions were on the rise and he asked Michaeling to join Sav-ed as his two new followers. Now Mattpaul's prediction in Alex's dream (page 106) has been fulfilled. Mattpaul stated that new followers of Chihaysu would include a female (Michaeling) and someone no one would suspect (Sav-ed). A candle lighting ceremony similar to those led by Michaeling was held and it was a very joyful evening. Sav-ed and Jonas leave for Romas tomorrow.

Since Alex's dream and its predictions have come to be, we are all encouraged - yes, there is a heaven and they play kickuml there. And in heaven, they do not keep score.

Huchfee.

August 22nd

Laura, Alex and Darren - I am so upset. I need your prayers more than ever. Rachaeling told me yesterday that she received a notice from the ruler Pontos that Zester has requested him to issue an announcement decreeing that Rachaeling marry Zester and be his wife. The note states that Pontos feels Zester is a fine young man and Rachaeling should be happy he is interested in her.

Rachaeling states that she will not marry Zester but does not know what to do. I am so foolish. I love Rachaeling but I never told her. I was afraid she would reject me.

In our world people can get married in two ways: ask the mother of the girl to be married for permission to marry her or, if the mother rejects the suitor, ask the ruler. Zester approached her mother a few days ago, who spoke to Rachaeling. Rachaelling told her mother she was not interested in Zester's offer so her mother declined giving consent. But Zester feels he is better than everyone else so he went to Pontos.

It is rare that the Ruler will enforce a marriage request, when the mother of the bride-to-be refuses consent. Usually consent by the Ruler is given because the mother of the potential bride is deceased. But Pontos holds Zester in such high esteem that he has set a date for their marriage and it is 60 days away. Rachaeling and I are very, very upset. I finally told her about my feelings and she cried for a long time. I will see Chihaysu tomorrow to ask him what we can do. I wish Rachaeling's father, Sav-ed, was here but he and Jonas left on their journey to Romas three days ago.

Huchfee

August 28th

Dear Huchfee ... we are speechless. Here on earth marriage is a union set when both partners are willing to marry. At the marriage ceremony husband and wife exchange their vows willfully. There was a time in the past when marriages were arranged by parents and there are some cultures that still do this today but most do not and certainly not in America where Alex, Darren and I live.

We will pray that Pontos will change his decree or Zester will change his mind realizing that marrying someone who does not want you for a husband will not be a happy marriage.

Laura

The story continues click September Letters for the entirety of the correspondence received and published in August 2014.

Join the Correspondence! If you would like to write to Huchfee of Caperston and/or to Alex of New York, it is simple. Write your thoughts in an e-mail to Timferguson@christianyouthgroup.org and your thoughts will be published in this story and probably responded to by Huchfee and/or by Alex.

New Book Review from Goodreads Jun 16, 2013 ... Lee Ashford for Readers' Favorite rated it 5 of 5 stars "The Chest of Visions: Secrets of Caperston" by Tim Ferguson is a well-reasoned, well-written, and intelligently conceived allegory for use as a Christian Youth Group Study Guide. It is bound to be considered quite "awesome" by the Youth Groups which use it, just as it is bound to be considered controversial or even blasphemous by older generations, which often comprise church leadership. However, if it is recognized for what it is - an allegory - it should be seen as no more controversial than "Pilgrims Progress", which no doubt faced a lot of opposition when it was first released. It should also be conceded that ANYTHING which helps youth understand the Gospel better is a good tool to be used for that purpose. "The Chest of Visions" is crafted as a totally new concept for involving today's youth in Bible study. Borrowing from the contemporary popularity of Science Fiction and Fantasy fiction novels, comics and movies, the author has devised a correspondence across parallel universes between several teen-aged individuals on two different planets in two different universes. The correspondences are prompted by the appearance on the planet Caperston of what amounts to a missionary, spreading the Gospel message of Jesus Christ. At first glance, one might assume the missionary is intended to imply an appearance of Jesus on another planet, by which He intends to extend salvation to the residents thereof. That is NOT the case, however. The missionary, Chi-hay-su, repeats a number of Jesus' sermons, and selects a number of "followers" who seem as if they are meant to fill the role of the Apostles, but in reality Chi-hay-su has HEARD the Gospel himself, believed it, and is doing what he believes is the most efficient approach to reach his entire planet FOR GOD. If read in its entirety, and considered prayerfully, "Chest of Visions" should be acknowledged as a significant step forward in Youth Group Study Guides. It has my stamp of approval, for whatever that's worth. For more information on "The Chest of Visions", please click: Letters from the Past