Adventures in Odyssey Home Page

Rescue from Manatugo Point

Album: Gold Audio 06: Mission: Accomplished

Episode: 93

Lesson/Theme: God holds the future.

Bible Verse: Psalm 90:12; Psalm 39:4; 2 Peter 3:8

Characters: Connie, Whit

Writer: Paul McCusker

Sound Designer: Dave Arnold

Original Air Date: November 11, 1989

Last Air Date: May 12, 2008

Description:
Whit is writing a magazine article for Sunday school teachers when Connie brings him the mail. In it is an airmail letter containing two words: "Manatugo Point." Reading the letter and later perusing old journals brings back a flood of memories for Whit. Flashback to World War II: Young John Avery Whittaker is a signalman just assigned to the U.S.S. Irongate, headed for Guadalcanal. Once there, he is immediately assigned to a patrol boat that's on a mission to rescue a "coast watcher"-a member of the British navy who is hidden on the island. Coast watchers keep tabs day and night on the Japanese and relay their movements to the Allied forces. It's dangerous work, and this particular coast watcher-Leftenant Reginald Duffield-hasn't been heard from for days. Young Whit and his commander, Lt. Evans, lead a team onto the island at Manatugo Point. There, they meet up with an island boy named Malanga, Lt. Duffield's co-worker. Malanga leads them on a tense journey to the injured Leftenant, who then guides them all back. Once there, Duffield realizes that Malanga would be safer back in his village and reluctantly decides to send him away. At last, the rescuers get back to the PT211, which scurries off just before a Japanese patrol floats ashore. Back to the present. Whit closes his journal. He basks in the glow of fond memories, wondering if the mysterious letter means an old friend is coming back into his life.

Questions:
Read 2 Peter 3:8. What does this verse mean? When did the Battle of Guadalcanal take place? Where is Guadalcanal? Do you have any relatives who are war veterans? Have you heard their stories?