“Because it is so important to other parts of the total story, I will review this incident again. In the interview, the church related psychiatrist was probing to use the whole circumstance to discredit Durwin. Being placed now in a remote and incompatible church, Durwin was supposed to be depressed over it. Also if a confession could have been wrung out of him for doing something wrong which brought about his placement to this church, then the two of it together would have given the psychiatrist ample reason to turn Durwin down for immigration. When the doctor couldn’t make it stick he covered for himself and the church by casually saying, ‘well you were given a larger parish anyway.’ It’s the better-but-worse tactic being utilized.
“At the time of the interview, however, Durwin left the psychiatrist’s office and went home feeling assured of a favorable conclusion to his and Canda’s immigration problem. He had to phone the psychiatrist’s office twice before the appraisal was finally mailed out to him. However, I am happy to tell you that the Lawtons were now approaching a successful completion of their immigration problem.”
“Hurrah,” shouted Leo, “you’re going to tell us they made it.”
“Did they really?” asked Brett, hopefully.
“Yes, they did,” said Collin assuredly. “The psychiatrist gave another good appraisal, though reluctantly I believe. Everything else was in good order.
“One other incident occurred which Durwin didn’t like, but went along with. One day the lawyer’s secretary, not the lawyer himself, but the secretary, phoned Durwin informing him that he needed to sign a declaration that at one time he had had a mental illness. Durwin protested that the psychiatric reports stated he did not have a mental illness. The secretary said that made no difference. If he wished to get his permanent residence status, he would have to sign this paper. Durwin stated that he would think, if anything, to sign such a paper might prevent him from getting his papers rather than help him. The secretary said that was not the case, and that if he signed the declaration he was virtually assured of getting his permanent resident status.
“Durwin thought it through at the moment and decided this may be the way of the belittlers in the department protecting themselves from being sued, or the like. Durwin had no thought of suing anyone on this matter. He knew that few judges, and less jury members, would be wise enough to the devious tactics of belittlers against people like he and Canda, for him to get an honest to goodness fair trial on any matters pertaining to his treatment by the immigration department. He went to the lawyer’s office and signed the paper.
“Soon the Lawtons were called into the immigration office for a final interview which went very amicably. There was the usual fingerprinting and photography. They were told they would in all likelihood receive their approval within three months. They were even told that their previous files, reported lost, had now been found.
“The approval did come through as anticipated. They were then hopeful of picking up the remnants of their lives and starting to live fully permanently. Numerous opportunities had passed them by while they had to live in many respects on a temporary basis because of the immigration problem, even though they did their church work as on a permanent basis. Things will go better for us now, and we will make up for lost time, so they thought. It was not to be. There was more trouble ahead for the Lawtons.”
A dead silence came over the group. They were visibly saddened.
“It’s too much to tell you tonight, or on any one night,” said Collin. “I’d suggest we wait until next week to continue. Then I will begin to tell you of the Lawton’s experiences as fine people with both of their local churches, their interaction with other ministers, and with the church hierarchy of the area, and much more. It will make what I’ve told you about their immigration experiences seem trifling in comparison.”
The group members were in near disbelief.
“Still more trouble ahead for the Lawtons! How much can two people take?” asked Donna, with tears in her eyes.
Leo came to her rescue, with some success, “Let nothing surprise you when it comes to the meeting of belittlers and fine, smart people, Donna. As Collin, in first semester, has already pointed out to us by quoting the Christian scholar, William Barclay, envy is the ‘most warped and twisted of human emotions.’” (Ibid).
“I know,” said Donna, “but it hurts to think that two people could be treated so viciously.”
Leo smoothed her hand as it rested on the arm of her chair.
After a brief silence, Albin evolving from his shyness a little more, as he had been doing all along, suggested it might be the right time to gather at the coffee shop for some lighter moments. The others agreed. Feelings could be better explored after the whole story is told. A sense of the ample presence of empathy was enough for now. Dr. Eldren departed from the group for the evening. The remainder of them headed for the Corner Coffee Shop just down the street as they had done many times before for a period of lighter fellowship.
Chapter Three
During the week between support group sessions, Collin Seldon pondered the topic of his next presentation, the experiences of his close friends Durwin and Canda Lawton in the church in Terraprima. Durwin had been damaged by belittlers in his youthful years, in a somewhat similar manner as Albin Anders has. We need not go into details of that. The group members will know from last semester how it happens.
As Durwin grew older, guided by a deep religious faith, and with enormous and heroic courage, perseverance, and an increasing self-discovered knowledge of belittlers, overcame his damages to the point where no situation or circumstance was too much for him to take on. However, no person, no matter how strong, or at what age, remains undamaged when in a severely adverse environment for too long- about two years ordinarily, but much longer for some.
Durwin, during his several years as a minister of churches in Terraprima, would have the struggle of his life to not only hold on to his hard earned personality gains, but to preserve his very life and livelihood. He went to Terraprima as a top-notch person, as I already have verified, and will do so further. After many cruel, oppressive years he managed to come out of it, although with many scars, still a topnotch person. This is more than most people could do. Durwin, damaged severely in his youth, a courageous over comer in his late teens and early adulthood, would now have the struggle of his life not to have all his gains in life - his personhood, and he with it, destroyed by a ‘Christian’ church. A more mentally cruel story has seldom been told.
The support group came into session shortly after seven o’clock, having waited a few minutes for the arrival of Brett Culver who, as often happened, was a little late arriving. This was to be the meeting at which they would hear from Collin the story of one who was not a participant in the group. When the members had settled down after the usual exchange of greetings and chitchat, Dr. Eldren gave the go ahead, and Collin began his presentation.
“Over the next few sessions I will tell you the story of my close colleague and friend, Durwin Lawton and his wife Canda, as they ministered in Terraprima. Last week I told you of their arduous experiences with the Immigration Department. Now I will concentrate on their experiences in the church. There is a lot of detail to include in order to illustrate the magnitude of the problem. Also, I think we are indeed familiar enough with the subject and with one another by now to include relevant analysis along the way. Would that be satisfactory with you, Dr. Eldren?”
“Yes it would,” replied Dr. Eldren obligingly. “Include in your