Brinkman Adventures

Beachglass Ministries: You’re listening to the Brinkman Adventures, a new family audio drama, and we’re so glad you’ve joined us for a time of fun, excitement, and adventure.

The Brinkmans are in the process of delivering a school bus to some missionaries in the Central American country of Belize. Along the way, they’ve met John and Donna Benty, former missionaries to Hong Kong. After a two-day visit, they’re packing their bags and getting ready to hit the road.

John Benty: Are you ready for this trip, Jack?

Jack Brinkman: I think so. Like I mentioned, we’re doing a concert in Belize the day we get there. We’ll have to drive hard. Great coffee. Hey, thanks again for letting Ian sell your ring. They’re really going to appreciate that curriculum down there. I can’t wait to see their faces.

John Benty: Glad I could help.

Jack Brinkman: Do you still swim? Your ring, it had a swimmer on it.

John Benty: Oh, that. I still swim a little. It’s good exercise. In the day, I was pretty good. I worked as a lifeguard at the Camp of the Trees. A camp lifeguard, huh? Yeah, Jack.

One day, I was sitting up on my lifeguard chair. I was tan and ripped, all muscle, king of the beach. Then, I heard something I’d never heard before. Somebody! Somebody! Help me! I yelled to another lifeguard in a boat through my bullhorn. Bob, row to the center!

We had this pole to get down from our lifeguard tower. I took hold of it and jumped. I was fine until I hit the ground face-first. I was going all out. Water is easy to run in when it’s shallow. But by the time I was up to my waist, I was winded. Bob, keep rowing! I’ll meet you! I swam for all I was worth, and when I got out there, the guy was gone.

Guest (Male): John, are you okay?

John Benty: I’m fine. Where is he?

Guest (Male): He went under right before we got here. Dive!

John Benty: All right. I went under and immediately saw him. He was just suspended, motionless. Little bubbles were coming out of his mouth. And standing on the bottom of the lake, I grabbed him and with all my might thrust him straight up towards the surface.

Guest (Male): Where is he? What was that bang?

John Benty: He’s under the boat. Go back and get him! Oh God, please help us. So, I went back under. And when I saw him, he was still suspended, but now there was blood coming out of the top of his head. I grabbed him and I threw him to the surface again, this time next to the boat.

Guest (Male): I got him! He’s unconscious. Hang on! I’m getting him into the boat. He’s bleeding all over. What did you do? I think he’s coming to. Come on, let’s pull him in. Let go of the boat! We can’t pull you in. Hey, let go! He doesn’t hear us. Let go, mister! Here, sir. I got you. You’re going to be all right. Just hang on.

John Benty: So, I paddled us in while Bob hung on to the guy, and the guy hung on to the boat. We got to shore, and people there attended to his wounds. I just collapsed on the beach, exhausted. An ambulance showed up to take the guy. And before they left, he called me over.

Guest (Male): My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My wife thanks you. My children thank you. Thank you for saving my life.

John Benty: Every year at Christmas, as a missionary, I’d get a check that said the same thing. My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My wife thanks you. And my children thank you. Thank you for saving my life.

You know, Jack, that story taught me something. Missionary work is often not as good or as pretty as we want it to be. Things go wrong. Sometimes we hit the man’s head on the bottom of the boat. And sometimes we hurt people’s feelings. A lot of things can happen.

But the bottom line is this. The Titanic is sinking and we need to get as many as possible into the lifeboats. When we get to heaven, we’re going to see people there who say, "My mother thanks you. My father thanks you. My wife thanks you. And my children thank you. Thank you for saving my life."

Jack Brinkman: Wow. I think I needed to hear that.

Kitree Brinkman: Daddy, we’re ready! Everything’s packed and we’re all waiting.

Jack Brinkman: All right, guys. I suppose it’s time.

Dale: Hey, Dale. Glad I caught you. Ian, Kitree, I made you something.

Kitree Brinkman: What is it?

Dale: Gator keychains. I burned your initials into the leather.

Kitree Brinkman: Oh, so cool! Is it made out of Tammy?

Dale: No.

Ian Brinkman: Too bad I don’t have a car to go with it.

Dale: It won’t be too long, Ian. Oh, here comes Mr. Pennington.

Jack Brinkman: Good morning, Mr. Pennington.

Mr. Pennington: Good morning. Could I have a word with the two boys who were gathering nuts in my yard?

Jack Brinkman: You can talk to me about it, sir.

Mr. Pennington: I’m sorry for accusing your boys. I prejudged them and they were just trying to help a crusty, crabby guy and I’m sorry.

Ian Brinkman: That’s all right.

Charlie Brinkman: It’s okay, Mr. Pennington.

Mr. Pennington: Your kindness has touched me more than you’ll ever know. And you Brinkmans can park your bus in front of my house any time you want.

Jack Brinkman: Thank you, sir.

Mr. Pennington: I took those pecans and made a pie for the road.

Jack Brinkman: You bake, Patrick? Wow, I had no idea. Thank you, Mr. Pennington.

Susan Brinkman: I love pecan pie.

Charlie Brinkman: Can I have some?

Susan Brinkman: We’ll all get some. How about for lunch?

Charlie Brinkman: Thank you, Mr. Pennington.

Ian Brinkman: Hey guys, that rooster’s behind the bus, under the crate of hens. I think he wants to come with us.

Kitree Brinkman: Oh, that’s so cute. He’s missing Henrietta.

Jack Brinkman: You should take him. He’s lonely here, no friends.

Dale: You guys want him? I can catch him.

Jack Brinkman: I’m sure the hens would love a strong, protective rooster. If you can catch him, Dale, we’ll take him.

Dale: He didn’t even run! Can’t tell you how many times I’ve chased that dumb bird. Incredible!

Ian Brinkman: It’s a new chapter, Ripcord.

John Benty: May I pray for you guys?

Jack Brinkman: That’d be great.

John Benty: Father, we come before you and dedicate this family to you. Protect them as they travel.

Ian Brinkman: Feel a little guilty about potting that rooster off on them.

Dale: You did good, Dale.

Donna Benty: You complained about Ripcord as much as the rest of us.

Jack Brinkman: Did you give him?

Susan Brinkman: You mean you gave him?

Dale: Just a whiff of ether. It won’t hurt him. He’ll be happier with those hens.

Kitree Brinkman: I can tell something’s wrong by the way he’s walking.

Susan Brinkman: I agree. He’s got that look. Well, what’d they say?

Jack Brinkman: We need to fill out paperwork to take chickens into Mexico.

Susan Brinkman: Why?

Jack Brinkman: They’re worried they’re terrorist chickens. I don’t know. I wish that rooster would be quiet. It’s not morning.

Susan Brinkman: He crows all day long. That’s what Mr. Benty said.

Jack Brinkman: Oh, great. Guys, we really can’t afford delays. We have two days to get across Mexico. If we have a long wait here, we’re not going to make it in time for the concert.

Susan Brinkman: Couldn’t we just leave them?

Hope Brinkman: No, mommy!

Jack Brinkman: It’ll be okay, Hope. I don’t know if it’s worth the trouble, kids.

Charlie Brinkman: What would Henrietta do? Please, daddy, can’t you try?

Jack Brinkman: Okay, I’ll give it a shot.

Ian Brinkman: If you don’t, somebody’s going to eat them.

Jack Brinkman: Kitree and Ian, get your songbooks. Just do it.

Ian Brinkman: All right.

Official (Male): Brilliant!

Susan Brinkman: We’re trying to get to Belize by Friday night to sing for the dedication of an outdoor amphitheater.

Official (Male): I wish I could come. You’re going to do great.

Jack Brinkman: Well, I filled it out but now they need a vet to examine them.

Official (Male): I’m a vet! I’d be happy to give your chickens a checkup.

Jack Brinkman: Okay, guys. I’m putting the ice cream and pie in bowls. Pennington pecan pie. Sort of has a ring to it.

Charlie Brinkman: Does Mexican ice cream taste different?

Jack Brinkman: I don’t know. Try it and tell me. Here you go, Gracie.

Gracie Brinkman: Thanks. Can I have some?

Jack Brinkman: Here you go, bud. Don’t spill.

Charlie Brinkman: Tastes the same, but even better. I’ll just take some pie.

Ian Brinkman: Ripcord’s crowing. I think he wants some ice cream too.

Jack Brinkman: Ripcord’s always crowing. I hope that thing sleeps.

Official 2 (Male): Sign here, señor. Okay. Do you have your room key?

Jack Brinkman: Oh, sorry. Here it is.

Official 2 (Male): And how was your stay at the Hotel Barahunda?

Jack Brinkman: It was great, thanks.

Official 2 (Male): Where are you going?

Jack Brinkman: We’re traveling to Belize on Carretera Federal 145D.

Official 2 (Male): Carretera Federal? Oh, be very careful. Between here and Belize, there is much bandidos. They have big pickup trucks and they hide along the road. If they chase you, don’t stop. They take everything. They’re very bad and dangerous.

Jack Brinkman: Thanks. Okay, everybody in the bus. Let’s go!

Official 2 (Male): Goodbye, sir! Have a good trip and be careful!

Jack Brinkman: I will, thanks! Boy, this road’s really gotten worse. I hope the tires survive.

Ian Brinkman: Dad, I haven’t heard Ripcord crow for a long time. Do you think the chickens are okay back there?

Jack Brinkman: They’re fine.

Ian Brinkman: It’s really dusty behind the bus. Can’t we just check make sure?

Jack Brinkman: Ian, I said they’re fine. We’re not stopping.

Kitree Brinkman: Hey guys, watch Charlie when we hit a bump. Whoa, don’t hit your head on the ceiling, Pod!

Charlie Brinkman: I can fly like a bird!

Ian Brinkman: Dad, there’s a truck following us. The guy’s waving. I think he wants us to pull over.

Jack Brinkman: Oh, great.

Susan Brinkman: Jack, what is it?

Jack Brinkman: I’m not sure.

Susan Brinkman: Why are you speeding up?

Jack Brinkman: I want to see what he does.

Ian Brinkman: He’s getting closer, Dad. It’s a monster truck. Look at the size of those wheels.

Susan Brinkman: Jack, you’re scaring me.

Jack Brinkman: Sorry, but I think we’re being chased by bandits. The innkeeper warned us not to stop on this stretch. He said sometimes they chase you with trucks.

Susan Brinkman: What do we do?

Jack Brinkman: Well, we’re not going to stop, that’s for sure. They can’t force this bus off the road with a truck.

Susan Brinkman: But what if they have guns?

Ian Brinkman: Dad, he’s trying to get next to us. Quick, go to the left! You cut him off! Oh Lord, help us. He’s trying the other side. Move to the right! Faster, come on bus, faster!

Kitree Brinkman: Here he comes! Dad, the bus is smoking!

Jack Brinkman: Oh no, we’re overheating.

Kitree Brinkman: The engine’s on fire!

Jack Brinkman: It’s not fire.

Susan Brinkman: What do we do?

Jack Brinkman: Okay guys, I’m pulling over. Stay calm. Kids in the back, quick.

Kitree Brinkman: Gracie, Charlie, Hope, come with me.

Charlie Brinkman: I don’t want to.

Jack Brinkman: Charlie, obey Kitree now.

Kitree Brinkman: Hide under the seat, kids.

Susan Brinkman: Come on, mom. I’m staying with dad.

Jack Brinkman: Susan, she’s right. Let me deal with them. Be careful. Wait a minute, we know that guy!

Felipe: Mister! You forgot your rooster at my hotel.

Ian Brinkman: He rescued it! What a friendly guy. He came all this way.

Jack Brinkman: You’ve got to be kidding. Oh, thank you Lord.

Felipe: You made a lot of noise when you left. I think he’s sad.

Ian Brinkman: How’d the rooster get out?

Jack Brinkman: Need you ask? Dad, you didn’t.

Beachglass Ministries: Hey guys, this is Ian Brinkman. Recently I found a pretty cool verse, Romans 10:14. Basically it says that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on Him unless they hear about Him? And how can they hear about Him unless someone tells them? By this I can see it’s pretty important for me to tell others about Jesus. Have you ever found a cool verse? Visit our website at brinkmanadventures.com and write us. And now, back to the adventure.

Jack Brinkman: Okay, that’s all the water I have. The radiator’s full but it’s leaking. I don’t know how far we can make it.

Felipe: I think you make it back to town if you go slow. We have the mechanics. One is right before town and the other one is by my hotel.

Jack Brinkman: Thank you, sir. How do you pick a mechanic in Mexico? You pray. Good morning.

Mechanic (Male): Buenos días, señor.

Jack Brinkman: English?

Mechanic (Male): Un poquito. A little.

Jack Brinkman: My bus has a hole in the radiator.

Mechanic (Male): Tengo que mirarlo. I’ll look at it. No es bueno. No good. Need new radiator. No tengo. Me no have. En otra ciudad. Other city, see?

Jack Brinkman: I don’t think we can make it to another city.

Felipe: No es problema. I have motorbike.

Jack Brinkman: Oh. You can carry a radiator on your motorbike?

Felipe: Me no carry. You carry. Me drive. Oh boy.

Jack Brinkman: Susan, are you okay staying here while I get a radiator?

Susan Brinkman: I’m fine. Look at the wall over there, Jack. It’s full of Bible verses. Wow, praise God.

Jack Brinkman: Well, all right. I have no idea where we’re going or when we’ll be back.

Susan Brinkman: We’ll be fine. And I’ll pray for you.

Jack Brinkman: Okay. My name is Jack.

Felipe: Me llamo Felipe.

Jack Brinkman: Okay, Felipe. Let’s go.

Felipe: Señora, my daughter Rosa will get you anything you need.

Susan Brinkman: Thank you.

Charlie Brinkman: Mom, can I crack the eggs?

Susan Brinkman: Sure. This is the last one. Hold it like this.

Hope Brinkman: Can I help?

Susan Brinkman: You can stir. Just a sec. Good job, Charlie. That was easy. Oh, it’s dad. Hello?

Jack Brinkman: Susan, we had to go to another city.

Susan Brinkman: I can barely hear you, Jack. Stir it like this, Hope.

Jack Brinkman: They didn’t have one here. There might be one three hours away.

Susan Brinkman: Okay. When will you be back?

Jack Brinkman: Hopefully before dark. It’ll take us an hour to install. So honey, it looks like we’ll be driving through the night if we want to make it to Belize on time. You still there, Susan?

Susan Brinkman: Yeah, I’m still here. That sounds a little scary.

Jack Brinkman: We used to do it all the time driving to Alaska.

Susan Brinkman: This isn’t Alaska though.

Jack Brinkman: Let’s talk about it when I get back.

Susan Brinkman: Okay. Be careful on that motorbike. We’ll see you tonight. Good job, sweetie. It looks like they’re done. Kids, brunch is ready! Charlie, run in the bus and get Michelle up. She’s taking a nap on her bunk.

Charlie Brinkman: Yes, mom.

Ian Brinkman: What are we having?

Susan Brinkman: Scrambled eggs and apples. Hey mom, can Rosa eat with us? Of course. Hi, Rosa.

Rosa Brinkman: Hola.

Susan Brinkman: Do you like eggs?

Rosa Brinkman: Sí. I had them once.

Susan Brinkman: You’ve only had eggs once?

Rosa Brinkman: Sí. Me like.

Susan Brinkman: What do you usually eat?

Rosa Brinkman: Tortillas and beans. You want tortilla? I make them. Wait here.

Ian Brinkman: Egg burritos. They must be really poor. You should see their house, mom. It’s only one room. It’s really sad. I think Rosa does most of the cooking and she’s Gracie’s age. Really? I wish we could do something to help them.

Jack Brinkman: No leak. It’s fixed. Thank you so much.

Felipe: Yes, thank you, sir. It was my pleasure. I’m glad I can help you.

Jack Brinkman: Felipe, I used all my pesos paying for that radiator and your gas. I’m embarrassed, but I don’t have anything to pay you with.

Felipe: Oh, that okay. Someday, when I have problems in America, you maybe help me and Rosa.

Ian Brinkman: Dad, we had an idea. We could give them the chickens. They could sell the eggs.

Jack Brinkman: That’s a great idea. Felipe, could we pay you in chickens? You could have them all. There’s four laying hens and one very strong rooster.

Felipe: Oh no, no, no, no. No las puedo aceptar. They are worth more than the job. That is not good.

Susan Brinkman: We insist.

Rosa Brinkman: Please, poppy. I love eggs.

Felipe: Muy bien. Gracias, Jack. This is very kind of you.

Jack Brinkman: One thing, the rooster, he’s a little…

Felipe: Oh, I know about rooster. He be okay. Where are you stay tonight?

Jack Brinkman: We’ll be driving through the night.

Felipe: Can I pray for you before you go?

Jack Brinkman: We’d like that. Family, gather around.

Felipe: Padre nuestro, te damos muchas gracias por haber traído a los Brinkmans a nuestra casa. Gracias por ayudarnos a encontrar la parte en buena vista.

Susan Brinkman: Jack, I looked at the map.

Jack Brinkman: Yeah?

Susan Brinkman: But we can still make it without driving through the night. If we leave at 5:00 AM, we’d be there by the time it starts that night at 6:00. Besides, if you stay up all night, you’ll be shot for the concert.

Jack Brinkman: Susan, that leaves no room for error. Something this trip has been full of. If anything else goes wrong, we won’t make it. I’d rather push through the night and be safe.

Susan Brinkman: It doesn’t seem safe to me, Jack.

Jack Brinkman: Honey, we’ll be fine. Please stop worrying. Just checking.

Lord, we’re so off schedule. I have to get us there on time. And now we’re down to the wire. They’ve been planning this concert for so long, we can’t let them down. Am I making a mistake, God? My family is my first responsibility. It’s You who accomplishes things, not by might nor by power but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

I’ve been trying to do this in my own strength. If You could part the Red Sea, You could easily give us smooth sailing the rest of the way. Okay, Lord.

Charlie Brinkman: Dad, what’s wrong?

Jack Brinkman: Nothing, son. Nothing. Going back to the hotel for the night.

Did you guys see that sign? We’re almost to Belize. Ten hours down, two to go. We’re going to get there an hour before it starts. Oh no.

Ian Brinkman: What’s wrong, Jack?

Jack Brinkman: Something happened ahead of us. There must be 20 semis before that hill. And who knows what’s past the hill. They’ve been here a while. That guy’s reading a book in his lawn chair. Are they grilling hot dogs? Well, this line obviously isn’t moving any time soon. Lord, I don’t get it. Why?

Ian Brinkman: What are we going to do?

Jack Brinkman: I don’t know. I’m going to walk up ahead and see what’s going on.

Charlie Brinkman: Can I come?

Jack Brinkman: Sure. Hey guys, remember at the border crossing? We prayed and then we gave a little concert. Let’s do that again. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Dale: That was beautiful, girls. Wasn’t it, hon?

Donna Benty: It was really good.

Ian Brinkman: Hey dad, so what’s going on?

Jack Brinkman: It’s a strike. We’re not going anywhere.

Donna Benty: Yeah, we’ll probably be here a day or two. If you need food, you could eat with us. We have lots of hot dogs.

Charlie Brinkman: I love hot dogs.

Jack Brinkman: Well thanks, that’s very kind of you. I’m sorry, Jack. Even if I would have driven all night, it wouldn’t have helped us. They’ve been here since noon yesterday.

Ian Brinkman: What’s happening? Dad, they’re all moving out of the way!

Trucker (Male): Amigo! I talked to everybody. We want you to make it to your concert. Just drive down the middle. It’ll be a little tight by the bridge, but you should be able to get by.

Jack Brinkman: Thank you, sir!

Trucker (Male): Vaya con Dios!

Beachglass Ministries: You’ve been listening to the Brinkman Adventures and this episode is entitled Mexico By Bus. Praising God can have powerful results. The Brinkmans found this to be true twice during their trip through Mexico. Will they make it to Belize in time? You’ll have to keep listening to find out. While some of the characters in today’s adventure are fictitious, Mexico By Bus was inspired by real-life events. To find out more about the story, visit our website, brinkmanadventures.com.

Kids, Jesus told us to go and make disciples of all the nations. Let’s give ourselves fully to Him and share His good news until the whole world hears.