In Michele Bence Ballantyne's, "The Great Harvest", Gilbert Edwards, who once lived among the Yanktonai Dakota Indians since his birth in the mid 1800's, heads back to the small band of native Americans after almost a decade of being separated from them in order to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Upon returning, Gilbert discovers that a young Yanktonai woman named Lateefa, who was once his childhood friend, and in whom he had developed a close relationship with, and was hoping to one day marry, had married someone else and was expecting her second child. This temporary set-back, however, does not stop Gilbert from fulfilling his mission to lead the Yanktonai to the truth of who Jesus Christ is and what He had done in order to save mankind from all sin.
As several years pass, Gilbert remains a faithful witness to the tribe of Yanktonai Dakota Indians as they move to a reservation where they had no choice but to depend on the government to support them. . Out of obedience to his God, Gilbert's faith remains strong as he courageously embraces the gospel message of truth to a community plagued with poverty and assimilation.
In Michele Bence Ballantyne's, "The Great Harvest", Gilbert Edwards, who once lived among the Yanktonai Dakota Indians since his birth in the mid 1800's, heads back to the small band of native Americans after almost a decade of being separated from them in order to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Upon returning, Gilbert discovers that a young Yanktonai woman named Lateefa, who was once his childhood friend, and in whom he had developed a close relationship with, and was hoping to one day marry, had married someone else and was expecting her second child. This temporary set-back, however, does not stop Gilbert from fulfilling his mission to lead the Yanktonai to the truth of who Jesus Christ is and what He had done in order to save mankind from all sin.
As several years pass, Gilbert remains a faithful witness to the tribe of Yanktonai Dakota Indians as they move to a reservation where they had no choice but to depend on the government to support them. . Out of obedience to his God, Gilbert's faith remains strong as he courageously embraces the gospel message of truth to a community plagued with poverty and assimilation.
Entering the American Board of Commissioners’ office, Gilbert Edwards anxiously fidgeted with the pages of his black Bible held snug to his chest as he nervously took a seat along a tarnished wall in a quiet waiting room. It had been only an hour ago, when he had stepped inside the office for the first time to hand in his credentials. For he longed to return as a missionary to the Yanktonai Dakota Sioux at the James River Valley, for he had been born and raised among them as if he could almost be one of them. Yet as he approached the mission’s office for a second time, he wondered why he was asked back so quickly. For he had been told that they would contact him within the week.
“Do you have an appointment?” asked a young receptionist sitting crunched behind an office desk.
Turning to the receptionist, Gilbert felt his stomach quiver and, clearing his throat, he announced, “Yes, Yes I do.” And leaning forward in his seat went on to say, “I was just here about an hour ago to see Mr. Simson. I was told to come back right away.”
“Mr. Simson is in a conference at this very moment,” the young receptionist announced apologetically. “I’m sorry but you’ll have to wait until the meeting’s over.”
“I don’t think you understand,” Gilbert responded back with a little persistence. “That’s why I’ve come. A telegram was just sent to me stating that I was to be in this meeting.”
The receptionist’s eyes widened and standing to his feet, he quickly voiced, “I’m so sorry, Mr.__,” and after shuffling through some papers on the desk he asked, “Your name?”
“Gilbert, Gilbert Edwards.”
Looking in an appointment book, the young receptionist found the name. “I remember you now,” he went on to say as he looked at Gilbert. Then hastening his steps to a closed door at the back of the room he softly knocked on it twice before it opened. “Sorry to disturb you, Mr. Simson, but a, a Mr. Gilbert Edwards is here to see you,” the receptionist announced nervously.
Stepping out into the waiting room, Mr. Simson, who was the president of the mission department, spotted Gilbert holding a black book in his arms and announced happily, “Mr. Edwards, come right in. We’ve been expecting you.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, and standing to his full five-foot, eight-inch height, Gilbert felt his wobbly legs advancing him forward inside a sun lit room. He watched as Mr. Simson shut the door securely behind him then position himself beside one of the upright leather chairs at a rectangular table.
Four other men also stood beside their chairs and after a brief welcome, Gilbert, along with the men, took their seats while a written paper of credentials rested silently upon the middle of the table.
“Please,” voiced Mr. Simson to Gilbert as he gestured with his hand to an empty chair, “Have a seat.”
“Thank you,” Gilbert responded quietly.
Four other men also stood beside their chairs and after a brief welcome, Gilbert, along with the men took their seats, while a written paper of Gilbert’s credentials rested silently in the middle of the table.
Clearing his throat, Mr. Simson delightfully smiled then began, “Mr. Edwards, the reason for this second visit is to let you know that we’ve read over your credentials and found it to be well, very impressive.”
Gilbert’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “Thank you, sir,” he responded humbly and folded his clammy hands in his lap.
Reaching for the documentation in front of him, Mr. Simson confidently opened to the first page started to read. “It states here that you live with your grandparents and that you’re a member of the railroad industry.”
Nodding slowly, Gilbert felt his cheeks flush as he hoped that his recent employment with the railroad wouldn’t be a hinderance to his future missionary work. He answered, “That’s true, sir.”
Mr. Simson nodded then continued, “And that you now wish to head back home to the Dakota.” Lifting his head from the paper he read, he rubbed his whiskered chin and stated affectionately, “You must love these people very much.”
Feeling a lump rise in his throat Gilbert answered, “I do, very much.”
Mr. Simson again smiled, then went back to his reading. “It also says that you’ve lived with the Dakota all your life.” Looking up from the document again, he pleasantly said, “You must have obtained a significant amount of knowledge about them and their ways throughout the years.”
“I have, sir,” Gilbert announced confidently, as he straightened himself in the chair.
Mr. Simson nodded. “And what about your parents? Are they living here in Boston with you?”
Gilbert’s lips curved as he thought of his parents, then answered, “They’re ministering to the Teton Sioux at the Pine Ridge Reservation.”
Sitting back in his chair, Mr. Simson enquired, “And you didn’t go with them?”
Gilbert shook his head then answered, “I decided to remain with the railroad.”
“I see,” replied Mr. Simson. Then leaning forward in his chair, he took a further look down the page, his eyes brightened as he went on, “It also states that you are an evangelist and that you have preached often here in the city.”
The men around the table looked at Gilbert with great interest.
“It’s been my calling,” Gilbert announced quietly.
Nodding again, Mr. Simson apologized. “I’m sorry that my schedule hasn’t given me the opportunity to hear you preach.” And closing Gilbert’s credentials, Mr. Simson sat back in his chair, clasped his hands, and announced, “I’ll get right to the point Mr. Edwards’. The mission board has been looking for someone who knows both the English and Dakota languages so that the Bible can be translated for the Dakota people. We’ve asked you to come back to see if you’ll accept the position?”
Gilbert’s eyes widened for it had been out of faith and obedience to the Lord that he had first stepped inside the mission office, hoping to be sponsored like many others, in order to reach his people. But now, after hearing that the committee had chosen him to translate the Bible, it was as if he had been given an extra bonus from his Creator the Almighty God. And his heart burst with joy. For his deepest desire had always been to reach his people with the gospel message.
Sitting straighter in his seat, Gilbert felt a tear trickle down his cheek and, eyeing each of the members of the committee he answered genuinely, “I-I don’t know what to say.”
“From what we’ve seen from your credentials, Mr. Edwards, you’re the perfect candidate for the task. All we need to know is if you’ll accept the position,” Mr. Simson commented.
Seeing the smiles broaden on each of the men’s faces, Gilbert relaxed, sat back in his chair and said gratefully, “I’m-I’m deeply honored sir, thank you.”
Standing to his feet, followed by the others, Mr. Simson stretched out his hand and announced happily, “I congratulate you, sir.”
Accepting the hand, Gilbert nervously asked, “Where will I be sent to, sir?”
Mr. Simson’s eyes widened as he glanced at the men, then looking at Gilbert, he chuckled and declared, “To your people at the James River, of course.”
Feeling a surge of emotion rise within him, Gilbert quickly wiped a tear from his cheek then whispered, “Thank you, sir.”
Sitting back down, the men fellow in line and Mr. Simson added, “Another man will be joining you there. A Mr. Thomas Rimmon from Minnesota. I assume you’ve heard of him?”
Gilbert’s face lit up and he answered, “Yes, I have. He’s published a grammar and dictionary book in the Dakota language.”
“And now he’s most anxious to publish the New Testament for the Dakota,” added Mr. Simson pleasantly.
Clearing his throat, Gilbert asked, “When. . . . when will he be joining me?”
“In the late fall. He’s on assignment right now with the Dakota at the Lac qui Parle area,” answered Mr. Simson.
“Thank you, sir,” Gilbert said again. “I’m deeply indebted to you.”
Turning his attention back to the men, Mr. Simson announced, “Gentlemen, now that we’ve found the one the Lord has sent to us, if there isn’t anything else then we will dismiss.”
There was silence.
“Very well then,” Mr. Simson remarked and he stood to his feet. You’ve been very kind Mr. Edwards. In this we are grateful,” he announced. Your affection and love for the Indians have been greatly appreciated.” Then looking down at this credentials that lay before him, he concluded, “Your testimony has been exceptional. We’ll keep in touch and get back to you in a few days about when you can begin your mission.”
The documents were handed back to Gilbert. And after each man had thanked him with a handshake, Gilbert was led outside to a carriage already waiting for him.
Gilbert Edwards, aka: “Beaver Catcher,” has come home to his Yanktonai Dakota family to reach them with the Good News in this skillful blend of Christian fiction and historical events.
Set in the late 18th and 19th centuries in the James River Valley of the Dakota Territories, The Great Harvest includes allusions to farming and raising crops and such. But that’s not really what this book is about. It’s about something deeper. Like the biopic film about American football player Brandon Burlsworth, The Great Harvest is about something Greater.
Readers soon discover this as they follow Edwards as he leaves his job with the railroad and heads home to the James River Valley to become a Christian missionary and do Bible translation.
Once at James River, Edwards meets a childhood friend and former flame, Lateefa. She is now married to a French fur trader, Charles Antoine. Their daughter, Alison, wants to be a teacher. Alison figures prominently in this story as it traces her life from childhood to young adulthood.
Meanwhile, Alison feels as if she’s caught between two worlds: One in Pierre and one at Crow Creek. There’s also the young man Takoda. Is romance in the air? Also, Alison doesn’t remember her childhood at Crow Creek. So what’s up with her “memory sickness”?
This work of fiction skillfully weaves historical events into and around the plot. It’s a little Dances with Wolves. A little End of the Spear. A little Silverado. The story skims along briskly. Characters are full-bodied and well-rounded. The author’s skill in creating descriptive word pictures, dialogue, and back stories is impressive.
Biblically literate readers will appreciate the plethora of Scripture references and prayers. Other readers may find this a bit heavy-handed. Some readers may find the plot somewhat predictable and contrived, such as the outcome of the diphtheria outbreak.
Still, there’s a generous dose of family, faith, hope, and love in this book. It will appeal to readers who enjoy Christian fiction anchored in historical events. A lighter touch on the Bible-versing could result in greater appeal to a broader audience.
The Great Harvest includes a Foreword, a Timeline of Events, and a List of Characters so you don’t get lost.
Note: This book is listed at “5,000 words.” This is inaccurate. It is considerably longer.