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. And now, I hope you enjoy this special presentation of The Brinkman Adventures.

Hady Kabir: No. I love my parents. No. I could never do that. No. No. I won't. Go away. Leave me. Please. Stop. Help.

Matt King: You're listening to The Brinkman Adventures, an exciting family audio drama. We're so glad you joined us today for this incredible adventure. Our story takes place in the small country of Bizakistan. No. Bizakistan isn't a real country. We made it up because this story is based on real people and real events. So, we've changed the names and places to protect those involved. Let's join Hady and his parents at the breakfast table.

Mustafa Kabir: Hady, why don't you eat thing your hummus? I work hard for the food you eat.

Hady Kabir: I'm not hungry, Baba.

Zoya Kabir: You were yelling again in your sleep last night.

Hady Kabir: I had another dream.

Mustafa Kabir: What's wrong with you? So many dreams.

Hady Kabir: I can't help it.

Mustafa Kabir: Maybe if you work harder at school, you'd sleep better.

Hady Kabir: Baba, I will try.

Zoya Kabir: Your friend will be here any minute. You have your books?

Hady Kabir: Yes, mother.

Mustafa Kabir: Where's your zuli?

Hady Kabir: I lost it.

Mustafa Kabir: You lost it. You must wear your zuli.

Hady Kabir: But why?

Mustafa Kabir: All boys wear one. It's what we do here.

Hady Kabir: Ben doesn't.

Mustafa Kabir: I don't care if Ben doesn't. Go to your room and find it.

Hady Kabir: Yes, Baba.

Guest (Male): Javier, catch.

Ben King: Oh, I'm here.

Hady Kabir: Can I have my pencil back?

Ben King: No.

Guest (Male): Good one, Javier.

Hady Kabir: Come on, guys.

Guest (Male): Chavi Kancha.

Guest (Female): Okay, class. Find your seat. We have a busy day.

Hady Kabir: Give my pencil back, please.

Guest (Male): Sorry, Kancha. I forgot mine.

Guest (Female): Okay. The religious holiday starts this week. All of your assignments need to be turned in before Friday.

Ben King: Hady, I have an extra one. Here.

Guest (Female): If you have any doubt about what's expected, please ask now. I don't want any angry parents.

Hady Kabir: Thanks, Ben.

Guest (Female): Holidays are a great time of year. We get a chance to spend time with family and friends. We also think about our faith. I'm curious, class. What's your favorite holiday?

Hady Kabir: I like Christmas.

Ben King: Christmas? That's stupid.

Guest (Male): It's a Christian holiday. Are you a Christian?

Hady Kabir: No.

Ben King: Then why did you say Christmass?

Guest (Female): Boys, let's be civil. Hady, Christmas is a nice holiday.

Hady Kabir: I like Christmas, too.

Guest (Female): Thank you, Ben. How about someone else? Amila, what's your favorite holiday?

Hady Kabir: Sammy. Sammy. Go get it, boy.

Guest (Male): You have the best dog.

Ben King: Yeah, right. Sammy's awesome.

Hady Kabir: Listen, there is something I've been wanting to tell you.

Ben King: Yeah?

Hady Kabir: Well, I don't know. I don't want you to think I'm weird.

Ben King: It's all right. Tell me.

Hady Kabir: I had this really strange dream.

Ben King: Aren't all dreams strange?

Hady Kabir: This was different. It was so real. I was on this mountain top, and it was really windy. Then this huge green snake appeared. It had evil eyes and terrible Please. Stop. And there was this super bright light. And this tall man I couldn't see his face. I had to put my hands over my eyes. Then I heard him killing the snake with his sword. And then his voice It was so strong and commanding.

Guest (Male): Hady, come follow me.

Hady Kabir: Who are you? Who are you? That's incredible. I can't stop thinking about it. Do you think it means something, Ben?

Ben King: It might.

Hady Kabir: Who do you think that man was?

Ben King: Well

Hady Kabir: Well what? Tell me.

Ben King: Maybe you had a dream about Jesus. In the Quran, he's called Isa Al-Masih.

Hady Kabir: No way.

Ben King: Yeah, and he used the exact words when he called his disciples. He said, follow me.

Hady Kabir: It might be him. I wish I had the Bible.

Ben King: I might be able to help with that.

Matt King: Hello, King residents.

Guest (Male): Hello, Matt. This is Mustafa.

Matt King: Hey, how are you doing?

Guest (Male): Great. How are you and the family?

Matt King: Awesome. Let me guess. You're calling because I still owe you a golf game.

Guest (Male): I'd forgotten about that, actually. You shouldn't have said anything. Actually, I'm calling because Zoya and I would love to have you guys join us for a meal during the holy week.

Matt King: Oh, thanks for thinking of us.

Guest (Male): It starts Friday. But Saturday or even Sunday night works for us.

Matt King: Okay. I 'll talk with Karen and get back to you.

Guest (Male): If it doesn't work with you guys, no problem. We just thought it it would be fun. Let's play a game of golf next week before I forget.

Matt King: Sounds good. We'll be in touch. Take care.

Guest (Male): Goodbye.

Zoya Kabir: Who was that?

Matt King: Mustafa Kabir. He invited us all over for one of the nights of the feast.

Zoya Kabir: Cool. Can we go?

Matt King: Not on the first or second night.

Zoya Kabir: Why not?

Matt King: You don't remember last time, do you?

Zoya Kabir: No. What happened?

Matt King: Well, for the feast they kill a lamb and eat every part of it. They waste nothing. On the first couple days, they eat organs.

Zoya Kabir: Ugh.

Matt King: And sometimes the organs are a little strange. The last time we had liver, and dad hates liver.

Hady Kabir: Yeah. They eat the parts we like after the second day.

Matt King: Ugh. Why don't you tell them we'll come on Sunday night? That would be safe.

Hady Kabir: Sounds like a plan.

Zoya Kabir: And especially made for you tonight. Ta-da.

Matt King: Oh, what are they? Meatballs?

Zoya Kabir: Sort of. It's lung.

Hady Kabir: Lung ball?

Zoya Kabir: Yes. Allow me.

Mustafa Kabir: Thanks.

Zoya Kabir: Kara?

Matt King: Wow. They're interesting. Are they cooked?

Mustafa Kabir: Yes, they're cooked, but best served cold.

Hady Kabir: These are awesome. Could I have another one?

Matt King: Sure, Ben. These are my favorite, too.

Ben King: Matt, I can't swallow.

Hady Kabir: Last year, I ate 10.

Ben King: You have to share.

Mustafa Kabir: Hady, that's gluttonous. Our guests first.

Matt King: Can you explain the meaning of this feast, Mustafa?

Mustafa Kabir: Sure. During this week, we remember how God provided a lamb for Abraham, who was about to sacrifice his son. The lamb died in the place of his son, and because God provided it, we eat it completely, every part.

Hady Kabir: Do you believe the story of Abraham and the lamb, Mr. King?

Mustafa Kabir: Hady, don't embarrass our guests.

Matt King: No, it's okay. As Christians, we're very familiar with this story.

Zoya Kabir: I did not know that.

Matt King: And just like the lamb was sacrificed in place of Abraham's son, the Bible tells us Isa Al-Masih or Jesus was sacrificed on the cross in our place.

Ben King: We need to get a recipe for these.

Zoya Kabir: Hady, could you go to the kitchen and fill up the plate?

Hady Kabir: Yes, mother. Come on, Ben.

Ben King: Matt, I can't swallow.

Matt King: Could you please pass the grape juice, Mustafa? Kara, just hang in there.

Hady Kabir: Why was that necessary, Ben?

Ben King: What?

Hady Kabir: For Jesus to die in our place.

Ben King: Well, are people perfect and holy?

Hady Kabir: No.

Ben King: The Bible says because of that we're separated from him. And being good doesn't fix things. We deserve punishment. That punishment is what we call hell. But Isa, he was perfect like a lamb.

Hady Kabir: So he took the punishment in our place.

Ben King: Yeah. The Bible says if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, we can be saved.

Matt King: Oh my, that was awful, Matt. I absolutely could not swallow.

Hady Kabir: Oh, your face, Kara.

Ben King: I thought they were great.

Matt King: Ben, that was sheep lung.

Ben King: Really?

Hady Kabir: Smashed into balls.

Matt King: I kept it in my cheek for about 5 minutes.

Hady Kabir: I know. You look like a chipmunk.

Matt King: Ben, if it wasn't for you, I seriously probably would have thrown up.

Ben King: What I do?

Matt King: Remember how I scolded you for sitting there with your shoes on?

Ben King: Yeah, sorry about that.

Matt King: When I took your shoes out, I spit my lung ball into the bush.

Hady Kabir: Kara, you are such a wimpy missionary.

Matt King: Well, praise God you got a chance to tell them about Jesus, Matt.

Hady Kabir: Oh, I wish I could have said more.

Ben King: Dad, Hady and I talked about Jesus in the kitchen.

Matt King: Wow, Ben. That's great. Good night, son.

Ben King: Good night. Dad?

Matt King: Yes, Ben?

Ben King: Does God speak to people through dreams?

Matt King: Well, there are stories in the Bible of God communicating through dreams occasionally.

Ben King: Really?

Matt King: Sure. Remember, God spoke to Pharaoh in a dream. He gave Joseph dreams that his brothers would bow down to him. There's actually a number of references to dreams in the Bible.

Ben King: Do you think he still uses dreams?

Matt King: I've never experienced it. But I suppose God can speak to people however he chooses. He's God. The Bible does say that in the last days people will have dreams and visions.

Ben King: Oh.

Matt King: We do need to be cautious with dreams, though.

Ben King: Why?

Matt King: Well, some people have thought God told them to do something through a dream. Only the thing they did was wrong.

Ben King: So in that case, it couldn't have been from God?

Matt King: Exactly. I'd never build a doctrine or a theology around a dream. Everything needs to be tested by scripture. That's what I love about the Bible. We know it's God's word 100% of the time.

Ben King: Hm.

Matt King: Why do you ask?

Ben King: Hady had a dream where he saw a bright man.

Matt King: Did the man say anything?

Ben King: He told Hady to follow him. I said it might be Jesus.

Matt King: Hm. This is amazing.

Ben King: He wants to read about Jesus in the Bible.

Matt King: Oh, that's fantastic.

Ben King: But he doesn't have one. Do you think I could give him one? It's his birthday this week. I was thinking maybe

Matt King: It would be great if he had a Bible. Why don't you let mom and I talk about it, okay?

Ben King: Okay. Thanks, dad. Love you.

Matt King: Love you, son. Good night.

Mustafa Kabir: Good shot, Matt.

Matt King: Yeah, not good enough. You're killing me, Mustafa.

Mustafa Kabir: I was due for a good game. How's your computer business doing?

Matt King: Good. I've taken on three new clients in the last month.

Mustafa Kabir: I've told the head of development at ACP about you. One of these days, you'll get a call.

Matt King: I appreciate the kindness.

Mustafa Kabir: That's what friends do, right?

Zoya Kabir: Kara, good afternoon. I just put some tea on. Do you want to come in?

Kara King: Oh, thank you, Zoya. I'd love to, but I can't right now. I need to pick some things up at the store before the guys finish playing golf. I 'm cooking a special dinner. It's our 15th anniversary.

Zoya Kabir: Oh, congratulations.

Kara King: Ben wanted to give this to Hady for his birthday.

Zoya Kabir: Oh, Ben can give it to him.

Kara King: Well, it's it's a Bible. We didn't know if you'd want him to have it, so we thought we should give it to you first to decide.

Zoya Kabir: I see. I appreciate that.

Kara King: Well, thanks again for the hospitality the other night. We had such a great time.

Zoya Kabir: Sure.

Kara King: Okay then. Goodbye.

Zoya Kabir: Bye.

Mustafa Kabir: You know, one thing I appreciate about you guys.

Matt King: No. What?

Mustafa Kabir: You come from different country with different customs. But you don't look down on us. You don't act like you're better than us.

Matt King: That's because we're not better than you. We're very similar, the king and the Kabir family.

Mustafa Kabir: And I appreciate you respecting our differences regarding our faith.

Matt King: You're you're welcome.

Mustafa Kabir: I'm so glad we can trust each other this way with our kids. Now, would you look at that?

Matt King: Great.

Kate Brinkman: Hey guys. This is Kate Brinkman. I hope you're enjoying today's episode. Did you know that most of our adventures are based on true stories? To find out more about these adventures, visit our website. There you can read interesting facts, look at pictures, and in some cases see video of the actual people. Has God done something amazing in your life? If so, then you have a story to tell, and we'd love to hear it. Write us today by visiting our website at brinkmanadventures.com.

Mustafa Kabir: You gave it to him?

Zoya Kabir: I I I I have sorry.

Mustafa Kabir: What were you thinking, woman?

Zoya Kabir: Our faith acknowledges that book. It's sacred.

Mustafa Kabir: It's a Bible, Zoya. We don't use the Bible. You should know that. You're the daughter of a teacher. He raised you in the faith. What if he found out that his grandson owned a Bible? Where is Hady? Reading the Bible. I'm

Zoya Kabir: It's my fault. I gave it to him.

Mustafa Kabir: Get out of my way.

Zoya Kabir: Go to go to Mustafa.

Mustafa Kabir: Get out of my way. Hady. Hady. Are you in there? Hady? Open the door. Hady, you give me that.

Hady Kabir: Baba, no.

Mustafa Kabir: Never read this. Do you understand? Never never read this. You read our book, not this book, and you must never ever speak to Ben again.

Matt King: Mustafa didn't destroy his son's Bible. His religion forbids that. So he took the Bible and hid it in his tool chest in the garage. But Hady quickly discovered the hiding place. And for the next 3 months, read the Bible whenever he could. One evening, his parents went out and left him alone for the night. As usual, Hady headed for the garage.

Guest (Male): But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another. And the blood of Jesus Christ, the son, cleanseth us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sin. And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Mustafa Kabir: Hady? Are you in there? Hady? What are you doing? Hady? You deceptive boy. You're reading that Bible.

Hady Kabir: Baba, please.

Mustafa Kabir: Let's go of it. Let's go of it. You are a bad, rebellious boy.

Hady Kabir: Baba.

Mustafa Kabir: I don't like to punish you, son.

Hady Kabir: Baba.

Mustafa Kabir: But this is very important. And you must understand. Our religion is who we are. It means everything.

Hady Kabir: But

Mustafa Kabir: This doesn't just affect you. It affects me, my job, our family's status in society. This is why you must not read this book.

Hady Kabir: Baba.

Mustafa Kabir: What?

Hady Kabir: What would you do if I did?

Mustafa Kabir: Read the book again?

Hady Kabir: No. If I became Christian, then you would no longer be my son.

Ben King: Good night, mama.

Zoya Kabir: Your father loves your Hady. He doesn't want you to to do something that something that you regret and cannot undo.

Hady Kabir: I understand, mama. Thank you.

Zoya Kabir: Good night, Hady.

Hady Kabir: Good night. Isa, I read that if I confess my sins, you will forgive my sins. So right now, this night, I confess. I am a sinner. My sin has separated me from from you. But I believe that just as the father provided a lamb for Abraham, the father also provided a lamb for me. That lamb is you, Isa. You died for my sins. Tonight, I am following you. If that means I lose my father or my mother or my life, I accept that. Thank you for your forgiveness.

Ben King: Hady, if anyone sees us together, you'll get in a lot of trouble.

Hady Kabir: I know, but we need to talk. Thank you for giving me the Bible for my birthday. I'm so sorry about what happened. If I had known, I wouldn't have asked my parents to

Matt King: No, Ben. I'm glad you did that.

Hady Kabir: Why? It wrecked everything. What did your dad say?

Matt King: He hid it. But I found it, and I've been reading it every time he leaves.

Hady Kabir: You have?

Matt King: Yes. And Ben, last night I gave my life to Isa.

Hady Kabir: Hady, are you serious? We're brothers now.

Matt King: Brothers. Should I tell my dad I follow Isa now?

Hady Kabir: What would he say?

Matt King: He already told me I would no longer be his son.

Hady Kabir: How could you not be his son?

Matt King: I don't know. It's just what he said.

Hady Kabir: I 'm not sure what I would do.

Matt King: You should pray about it.

Hady Kabir: Could you pray with me?

Ben King: Sure.

Mustafa Kabir: Come in.

Matt King: Father, may we talk?

Mustafa Kabir: Yes.

Matt King: Baba, I have something I need to tell you.

Mustafa Kabir: Sit down, son. What is it?

Matt King: Baba, I have become Christian. When I read the Bible, I discovered Isa Al-Masih is the son of God. The lamb sacrificed for my sins. I have decided to follow him. Ethan, if it costs me everything. Baba?

Mustafa Kabir: Leave me be.

Matt King: Hady's parents immediately pulled him from school to guarantee there would be no further contact with Ben King. They then sent Hady to see a psychologist for evaluation.

Jack Brinkman: Mr. and Mrs. Kabir, you have a very smart boy. He scored extremely high on the IQ test. Now, as far as his dreams, this is not highly unusual and can happen from time to time. I believe your son is experiencing an identity crisis. Hady Kabir is trying to figure out who Hady Kabir really is. And your job as his parents is to help him find that identity.

Zoya Kabir: What about his school? Should he return?

Jack Brinkman: No. Let him finish the year somewhere else. Change of scenery will be helping him.

Mustafa Kabir: We thought perhaps he should visit a spiritual leader to help him to understand his religious roots.

Jack Brinkman: That would be a very good idea.

Zoya Kabir: Thank you, doctor.

Kate Brinkman: How was work?

Matt King: Um I got a phone call.

Kate Brinkman: What was it?

Matt King: A man from the Department of Security.

Kate Brinkman: What did he want?

Matt King: He asked a lot of questions about our company and who we've worked with here in Bizakistan.

Kate Brinkman: What did you tell him?

Matt King: The truth.

Kate Brinkman: Do you think this has anything to do with the Bible we gave to Hady?

Matt King: I don't know. The timing's odd.

Kate Brinkman: I keep asking if we made a mistake, Matt. I'm conflicted.

Matt King: I know what you mean. I've been through that, too. We want to be careful not to jeopardize the mission at large. But then the mission is to introduce people to Christ. I believe we did the right thing.

Kate Brinkman: Well, I think Hady's paying a high cost.

Matt King: For certain.

Ben King: Hey mom and dad.

Matt King: Hi, Ben. Have you talked to Hady lately?

Ben King: No. I'm really worried about him. He's been missing from school for about a week. I'm afraid he told his dad. I'm so sorry for the trouble I've caused.

Matt King: No, you didn't cause it, Ben.

Ben King: Yes, I did. It was my idea to give him a Bible.

Matt King: Jesus said that he came to turn a son against his father. In order to follow Jesus, Hady has to go against his father's belief system.

Kate Brinkman: That passage also says we must love Jesus more than our parents. And if we don't, we are not worthy of him.

Matt King: These are hard truths. Hello, Matt King.

Guest (Male): Mr. King, this is Hady.

Matt King: Hady, how are you?

Guest (Male): I can't talk long, but I wanted to let you know I told my father of my decision, and I told my parents they also need to follow Isa Al-Masih.

Matt King: Are you okay?

Guest (Male): Yes, but they took me out of school and made me see a doctor. Tomorrow they are taking me to a spiritual leader. I'm going to tell him about Jesus, too.

Matt King: We're praying for you.

Guest (Male): Thank you. There's something else.

Matt King: What is it?

Guest (Male): The police are arresting foreign Christians around the country. I heard my parents talking. You might be in danger.

Matt King: Thanks for letting us know.

Guest (Male): Please be careful. I need to go. Goodbye, Mr. King.

Matt King: Yeah, thank you for calling, Hady. Goodbye. You've been listening to The Brinkman Adventures, and this episode is entitled Hady's Choice. I hope you were encouraged and challenged by the courageous faith of this young man. While the names have been changed, this story is based on real events, and Hady is a real person. Please pray that he will continue to stand strong for Jesus. And pray for missionaries like the King family that serve in these difficult lands. Are you wondering what happens next? If so, stay tuned. 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.