Brinkman Adventures

Jack Brinkman: Hi kids, this is Jack Brinkman, and you're about to listen to an amazing adventure. Before we start, you need to know that portions of the story may be intense for younger listeners. So, if you're under the age of 10, make sure your parents are listening with you.

Last time on the Brinkman Adventures.

Fernando: I hate it here. I wish I could take that man and lock him up. Children shouldn't be forced to work at mines.

Sr. Diego: My god gives you cash, and I take them back to the city. My guys look them over. We like what we see, we come back and talk more. Capiche? If anybody does something that prevents this deal, well, I wouldn't want to be that somebody.

Fernando: Do you think you can get us some dynamite? Fernando, when it explodes, we need to be down in the other shaft.

You're listening to the Brinkman Adventures, and this is Part 2 of Sapphire Slaves. Right now, we're inside a mine in South America with Fernando and Pedro. They've been kidnapped and forced to dig sapphires. Let's join them right now as they attempt to sabotage the tunnel with dynamite.

Pedro, I want you to go around the corner to the very end.

Pedro: Can I watch, Fernando?

Fernando: Go immediately. Sr. Diego is bad, but this other guy is worse. We can't let them make a deal. Run!

Pedro: My ears are ringing.

Fernando: That was loud. I said, that was loud!

Pedro: Are you okay?

Fernando: I think so. Let's see what happened. Oh, Fernando, it worked. This shaft looks real bad. He is going to kill us. What should we do?

Pedro: I don't know. We should have thought of that before. Wow, it made a big hole on the wall. What's in there?

Carlos: Look, a cave! Fernando, let's go in.

Fernando: Stop. Watch out for the hole right there. Let's throw a rock in it.

Pedro: Whoa, that must be real deep.

Fernando: I think we are above a large cave. We might be in a ceiling of a huge cavern.

Carlos: Guys, look at this sparkle over there on the wall, in the other side of the cave. Sapphires! It has to be! Come on, lay these boards over the hole.

Fernando: Pedro, you stay. It's too dangerous.

Pedro: Nandito, come on, let me come.

Fernando: No, you stay. I'll hold on the board for you. Crawl very slowly.

Carlos: No problem, guys. See? I got this under control. Last year, a boy fell in a cave like this. We never found him.

Fernando: It can't be. No way. I've never seen one that big, Fernando. You're going to be a hero. Sr. Diego is going to love you.

Sr. Diego: He'll never see it.

Fernando: Fernando, don't move.

Sr. Diego: They're coming. I've got to hide this fast. What happened down here? The tunnel! You stupid kids! That cave is a hole in the floor. Get out of there! I'm so sorry, señor. My tunnel! What did you do? It's my fault, sir. We found some gems and thought the dynamite... Dynamite! Dynamite! Estupidos! The buyer's coming! What do I do now? You're getting a beating, Carlos, and this time, it's from me.

Kitree: A sting operation? Won't your face puff up again?

Anthony: It's okay, Gracie. He has the Happy Pin.

Ian: It's EpiPen. A sting is an undercover operation where police catch bad guys.

Anthony: You leave tomorrow?

Jack Brinkman: Yep.

Michelle: How long will you be gone?

Jack Brinkman: Probably only a few days.

Kitree: Why does Michelle get to go?

Jack Brinkman: So she can blog about them. We need to see Mercy Justice Mission in action.

Kitree: Is that really mission work, though? I thought missions was telling other people about Jesus.

Susan Brinkman: MJM frees slaves in the name of Jesus. They spend a lot of effort on aftercare, finding them jobs, and protecting them from being enslaved again. Many end up finding Jesus.

Jack Brinkman: In Isaiah 58:6, God says to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free and break every yoke.

Michelle: And that's what MJM does.

Anthony: Where are you guys going?

Jack Brinkman: Can't tell you. It's a secret, remember?

Kitree: But isn't it dangerous?

Jack Brinkman: It could be. But when we follow God, sometimes we give up comfort and even safety.

Susan Brinkman: And your dad and I and Michelle have prayed long and hard about this.

Fernando: Carlos, your eye!

Carlos: I can still see with this eye. This one is hard to open. I'm okay. Hurry up with that wheelbarrow. I'm coming, señor. Carlos, where's Henry?

Fernando: He was sick. Sr. Diego probably took him away.

Carlos: Where to?

Fernando: I don't know. They don't like sick kids here. Now your brother is coughing. We've got to take care of him, Fernando.

Pedro: It's all the dust. Oh no! I'm sorry, señor.

Sr. Diego: You bet, boy. Putting them back. Hurry! This place is still a mess. Sr. Diego, there is a truck coming.

Carlos: That's them! Okay, get the kids into the mine. I'll meet them at the office.

Guest (Male): Five with gemstone quality. We're happy with your sapphires.

Sr. Diego: I'm glad to know we meet your approval.

Guest (Male): We're going to need 400 of that quality before January.

Sr. Diego: You have enough money for that?

Guest (Male): Of course we do. You've just opened the new shaft and it's producing well. We can more than meet your demands.

Sr. Diego: I'll need to take pictures of the mine for my boss.

Guest (Male): Could we send you some pictures?

Sr. Diego: I'll need to take them myself.

Guest (Male): I'm sorry, señor, this is very bad timing. My men are working and it's difficult to take pictures. There's much dust. Why don't you let us take them?

Sr. Diego: You want a deal? You show me the mine. This is not negotiable.

Guest (Male): Okay, señor. Let's go.

Sr. Diego: These look great. The dust is no problem. Bueno, if we're done then, I'd like to show you some impressive gems we just found. Shall we go?

Sr. Esposito: No, I want to see the new shaft.

Sr. Diego: Amigo, that is not a good idea.

Sr. Esposito: What's the problem?

Sr. Diego: Well, it's difficult. Sr. Diego, why can't I see it? I don't want to alarm you, but a small area collapsed yesterday. My workers already removed some of the rocks, but...

Sr. Esposito: No secrets, Sr. Diego. No surprises. I need to see everything.

Sr. Diego: Bueno, vamonos. Boys, this is Sr. Esposito. He's here to buy our sapphires. So say hola.

Pedro: Me llamo Pedro, señor.

Sr. Esposito: Hola. Como se llama, young man?

Carlos: Carlos.

Sr. Esposito: Carlos. What's in there?

Carlos: Una cueva, a cave.

Sr. Esposito: Are there gems?

Carlos: Sí, señor.

Sr. Esposito: Show me.

Sr. Diego: We can't go in there, señor. Es muy peligroso, very dangerous.

Sr. Esposito: Sr. Diego, no secrets, remember? Show me the cave.

Sr. Diego: It's no secret, it's dangerous, Sr. Esposito.

Sr. Esposito: That's okay. I want to go in. Carlos, you take him.

Carlos: Okay, follow me. Stay on the wood. This hole is very deep.

Sr. Esposito: No kidding.

Carlos: This is the spot, señor. We found gems in this wall.

Sr. Esposito: It looks very promising. Carlos, I need you to trust me. I'm here to help you. Do they beat you here? Look at me, Carlos. You can tell me.

Carlos: Yes, they do, Sr. Esposito.

Sr. Esposito: Are you forced to work?

Carlos: Sí.

Sr. Esposito: Does he pay you?

Carlos: No.

Sr. Esposito: This wall looks very good. Can you find me a gem? Find me a gem! We're going to get you out of here. Have the kids dressed and ready to go tomorrow night. Don't tell them until then. If it gets back to Sr. Diego, he'll move you, understand? Do you understand?

Carlos: Yes.

Sr. Esposito: Take this radio and light. Do you know how to use this?

Carlos: I can try.

Sr. Esposito: When you hear us arrive, turn on the radio. We'll tell you what to do.

Carlos: Bueno, I can do it.

Sr. Esposito: Good. Now hide them. Okay, I've seen enough. That's good. Let's go. Trust me, it's going to be okay, Carlos.

Fernando: Are you awake?

Pedro: Sí. It's hard to breathe, brother.

Fernando: You're coughing again.

Pedro: I don't feel very good, Fernando.

Fernando: Water will help you. Here, drink this. Thank you, Carlos. Carlos, come over here. I want to talk to you. More! I saw you whispering to him.

Carlos: Who?

Fernando: I saw you talking to him.

Carlos: What are you talking about, amigo?

Fernando: You and that dealer. Tell me what he said.

Carlos: I can't tell you, Fernando.

Fernando: Come on, tell me!

Carlos: Okay, but you need to keep this secret. He's going to free us.

Fernando: What?

Carlos: Tomorrow night, we need to have the kids ready. See? He gave me this radio.

Fernando: The dealer's going to free us? He's not going to free us. Don't you see? He wants to steal us to work in his mine. He's a bad man, Carlos.

Carlos: No, he just acted that way. He talked to me with a different voice. I trust him.

Fernando: Not me. I'm not going, and neither is my brother Pedro.

Carlos: You have to. He can't stay here. We're leaving, but not with him. Goodnight.

Susan Brinkman: Hello kids, this is Susan Brinkman. As a family, we've had some crazy adventures and we've met some incredible missionaries. These people have challenged us to be bold in our witness and to always be ready to tell others about the hope that is in us. You don't need to wait until you've grown up before you can tell others about Jesus. You can start right now! Ask the Lord to give you opportunities to share His love with people around you. And then, be ready for what He does!

Chris Palma: Jack, Michelle. Chris Palma. Good to meet you finally in person.

Jack Brinkman: Good to meet you, Chris.

Chris Palma: This is Tom Walker, our field leader.

Tom Walker: Hi, Tom.

Jack Brinkman: My pleasure.

Chris Palma: And Dave Brown, one of our agents.

Dave Brown: Hi there.

Michelle: Hi.

Chris Palma: Take a seat, everyone. I'm glad you two came on such short notice. We've confirmed that the mine is using slave labor, so the operation is a go. Tom here was a Navy SEAL, and Dave was a Marine. Both are highly skilled in this type of thing. We'll also be joined by several national police officers. Tom planned this operation and is in charge from here on out. Tom, the floor is yours.

Tom Walker: Thanks, Chris. Jack and Michelle, as you can see, there's a lot that can go wrong. If you have any misgivings, you don't need to come. This operation carries a certain degree of risk.

Jack Brinkman: I've prayed about it and feel this is something we need to do. Michelle, are you still okay with this?

Michelle: I feel like I need to go.

Tom Walker: Jack, are you comfortable firing a Glock if necessary?

Jack Brinkman: Yes.

Tom Walker: We'll make sure you have one. We've determined that there are at least five adults at the mine. We know that they carry AK-47 assault rifles. We've also estimated there are 15 to 20 children working there. Chris, this marker is dry.

Chris Palma: Here, catch.

Tom Walker: This in the center represents the entrance to the mine. The road in approaches from the northwest up here. This is the owner's house and this is guard house. As you can see, we'll need to drive the armored truck between these two structures to get to the barrack which is down here. We'll park the truck as close to the barrack fence as possible. Any questions so far?

Chris Palma: Continue.

Tom Walker: We'll park and wait outside the compound. Dave, you'll continue in on foot with the police. Everyone stays in position and I'll run to the barrack to get the kids. Ideally, bad guys stay sleeping and we escape without a fight.

Susan Brinkman: Ian and Kitree, that was Mrs. Staplerun. She's wondering if you two can go to their house and help clean out their attic. Said you'll be handsomely rewarded for your services.

Ian: That's awesome.

Susan Brinkman: Good. She'll pick you up in an hour.

Kitree: Oh no, I told Mrs. Christina I'd babysit. Can I call her and cancel?

Susan Brinkman: Oh, no, Kitree, that wouldn't be right.

Kitree: Why not?

Susan Brinkman: Well, you committed and she's counting on you. You need to keep your word even when it's hard.

Kitree: But that's not fair, Mom. Ian gets to do all the fun things.

Kitree: Ian's home! How was the Stapleruns' house?

Ian: Great, check it out.

Kitree: What?

Ian: I found this box with a camera. Mr. Staplerun just got a new one and so he said I could keep this one.

Kitree: Cool. What model?

Ian: It's a Supershot 6000.

Kitree: What?

Ian: Yeah, can you show me how to use it? It's got like a million settings. Hey, where are you going? Hi, Kitree.

Kitree: Mom, it's not right.

Susan Brinkman: What's not right?

Kitree: I've been saving forever for a Supershot 6000. And Mr. Staplerun just gave one to Ian. He doesn't even know what it is. And I even did the right thing by babysitting. It's not fair, Mom.

Susan Brinkman: I'm sorry, honey. That's the exact model you've been saving for, isn't it?

Kitree: Yeah.

Susan Brinkman: There's a lot of things that don't seem fair. God tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice. It's hard, but you've got to try and be happy for Ian.

Kitree: But Mom, that's like impossible.

Tom Walker: Jack, Michelle, how are the vests?

Jack Brinkman: Fine.

Michelle: I'm not the most comfortable.

Tom Walker: Sometimes if you twist them a little... here. Is that better?

Michelle: Yeah.

Tom Walker: Remember, if bullets start flying, stay down.

Carlos: I think he's here! It's him. Everybody, get up! Remember what I told you. Come on, quick!

Fernando: We're out of here. Don't go, Pedro. Let's go. What's that?

Carlos: It's a radio.

Dave Brown: Carlos, are you there?

Carlos: Sí, I copy.

Dave Brown: You see the truck?

Carlos: Yes, I see it.

Dave Brown: I'm in that truck. Flash the lights so I know where you are. Okay, I see you. I'm coming.

Carlos: Everybody, get ready to crawl out the window.

Pedro: Where are we going?

Carlos: See that truck over there? You, you're going first. Get ready.

Pedro: But Carlos...

Carlos: It's going to be okay. Just trust me.

Tom Walker: Dave, I hear gunfire. Abort.

Dave Brown: Team B, they've opened fire and pinned down shooters in the tower and the guard house. Team A, do you copy? Team A, do you copy? Tom, one of my guys got hit. We need help now. Carlos, stay there. Don't move. Do you hear me?

Carlos: Sí.

Tom Walker: Dave, I'm on my way. Stand by. Jack, it's getting ugly. Have your gun ready. I'll be back.

Michelle: Dad!

Jack Brinkman: Oh Lord, help us. Someone's running. Look, towards the barracks. That's not one of our guys.

Michelle: He's going for the kids!

Jack Brinkman: I've got to do something!

Michelle: What?

Jack Brinkman: I need to scare him away. All right, buddy.

Michelle: He's going around the front!

Jack Brinkman: I've got to get to the kids before he does. Michelle, get Carlos on the radio. Tell him to have the kids ready.

Michelle: Okay. Carlos, do you copy? Carlos, do you copy?

Carlos: Sí, I hear you.

Michelle: We're coming for you. Get the kids ready.

Carlos: We're ready. Okay, everybody, this is it! Give me your hands. Jump!

Guest (Male): Gracias, señor.

Jack Brinkman: Is that everybody?

Carlos: No, Fernando and Pedro went that way.

Jack Brinkman: I need to get you guys to safety. Now let's run! Jack, you've got the kids. What happened?

Tom Walker: We saw someone, so I intervened.

Dave Brown: That was probably Diego. We apprehended all the guards.

Tom Walker: Did anyone get hurt?

Dave Brown: One police and one guard took a hit, but nothing serious.

Tom Walker: What about Team A?

Dave Brown: Turned their radio off by accident. When they didn't find Sr. Diego, they came and helped with the guards.

Tom Walker: We're missing two boys. Carlos, Carlos, are you in here?

Carlos: Aquí, señor.

Tom Walker: Who's missing?

Carlos: Fernando and Pedro don't want to come.

Tom Walker: Where are they?

Carlos: I think they went to the mine.

Tom Walker: I'm going for them.

Pedro: Why can't I go?

Fernando: It's dangerous, Pedro. I'll only be a minute. I have to get something.

Pedro: You're taking the light, Fernando. I'm scared.

Fernando: You'll be fine. Hey, I heard something. Someone is coming! Okay, come in here, quick! But don't slip. Be careful.

Pedro: I can do it.

Fernando: You go first. I'll shine the light on it for you. Stay in the middle. Good. Take your time, little brother. Are you sure you heard someone?

Pedro: Maybe not. Whoa, that sapphire is huge! When we get back home, Mama doesn't have to work.

Tom Walker: Fernando! Did you hear that? Fernando! Don't move. Be quiet as a cat. Pedro, Fernando, are you in here? I thought I might find you here. Boys, we've come to free you.

Fernando: Leave us alone!

Tom Walker: The kids are in the truck and the police have arrested the guards. It's over. I won't hurt you. You get to go home.

Sr. Diego: Sr. Diego! He killed Fernando! I've never let that bad man take my workers from me. You were smart to hide from him. Fernando, what is that?

Fernando: It's mine.

Sr. Diego: It's huge. Don't move, son. You wouldn't want to drop it. Bring it here.

Fernando: If I give it to you, can we go back to our mom?

Sr. Diego: Sure, just crawl over here carefully. Stop! Drop the gun. Carlos, look out! Nandito, help! Pedro! Run, Pedro! Run! Stop! Nandito, are you okay? I think so. Oh, Fernando, thank God you're alive. Let's get out of here.