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Blessed Child

Blessed Child
Author	Ted Dekker
Language	English
Series	The Blessed Series
Genre	Christian fiction, Magical Realism, Crime, Thriller, Psychological thriller
Publisher	WestBow Press
Publication date	March 2000
Publication place	United States of America
Media type	Print (Hardback & Paperback)
Pages	348 (Paperback edition)
ISBN	0849945135
Followed by	A Man Called Blessed

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Blessed Child is the first book released by Ted Dekker in March of 2000 it was coauthored by Bill Bright who though apparently just gave his blessing for the book and gave some help and advice where needed. The book proved to be a spring board for Dekker’s unique writing style. Capturing audience’s attention everywhere including Christian and Non-Christian Readers

The Story

The Novel opens with Jason Marker, a member of the Peace Corps stationed in Ethiopia, who is headed to the Debra Damarro, a remote orthodox monastery. Where He has been asked to pick up and move to a safe location an orphan that is living in the monastery. Everyone in the monastery is in danger from the invading Eritrean Peoples Liberation Front (EPLF). The group claims that the land the monastery is on is a part of Eritrea and not Ethiopia. We quickly learn that Charles Crandall a nominee for president is trying to shush somebody in the area and evidently has some ties to a project tempest in the area. When Jason arrives he meets an eccentric old priest who took Caleb (the orphan) in when he was left at the monastery gates. The Priest asks Jason not to just take the boy to the local drop off for refugees at Addis Ababa but states that he must him out of the country altogether. The priest claims that the boys' life is in danger if he is not removed from the country. While talking with the priest Jason also meets a very beautiful French Canadian Red Cross nurse Leiah who was run out by (EPLF.) As Jason and Leiah attempt to flee the country with Caleb a group of militia pins them in a canyon where Jason attempts to hold them off. This is when they realize that Caleb is a very special boy. He shows the first sign of his gift by healing a man Jason just shot. The confusion of this allows them to escape. As they head to the airport Caleb shows other signs of being a very unique and special child. Jason and Leiah take Caleb to the U.S. where he almost immediately comes to the attention of the nation with his miraculous ability to heal. His ability is demonstrated in the church that also homes an orphanage where Caleb is supposed to stay. Caleb heals a child that had been blind since birth. Unfortunately the priest at the orphanage is a very rude and cynical person who tries to shut Jason and Leiah out of Caleb’s life. He wants to financially benefit from Caleb’s gift. After a bad meeting with the lady who runs the orphanage Martha, Caleb refuses to do anything without Jason and Leiah present and the priest is forced to let them see him. Caleb is then taken to UCLA to be tested for Psychic Response. It is here that he gets his first bit of media attention from a reporter focusing on the election. She invites them to a press conference that the President is giving a speech so that she can get footage of Caleb in a Public Environment.

While at the press conference Caleb comes to the attention of Charles Crandall, the presidential nominee holding the meeting. Caleb Claims that Crandall is the tempest and that he will bring a new tempest into the world. While most at the press conference don't seem to what Caleb is claiming Crandall does and seems very spooked. There is a short battle with immigration concerning Caleb's residency in the country. After it is settled Father Nickolas begins to set up meetings and tours for Caleb to demonstrate his gifts. Jason and Leiah voice concerns about displaying Caleb in this fashion. Of course there is a fee for this service. The fee increases as Caleb's popularity increases. A problem arises when Caleb gets very sick with what the local doctor calls the flu. His c condition worsens over the course of the week as he apparently struggles against a poison that is infecting his body and the television that is infecting his spirit. Father Nickolas does not cancel the meetings and expects Caleb to continue to demonstrate his gifts. At one of the meetings Caleb collapses on the stage. Jason runs out on stage and gets Caleb and realizes that he has been shot as well. Jason and Leiah try to make sense of why someone would shoot Caleb as they flee with the sick and injured child. They decide it is safe to hide up in the hills for the night. The next morning Caleb is miraculously healed of the poison. Through this healing Caleb helps Jason and Leiah to see the kingdom of god. Jason hatches a plan to expose Crandall for who he really is. The plan included airing his past dealings and indiscretions on a worldwide broadcast. Instead the spirit sweeps the stadium where the press conference is being held and people all over the world witness the kingdom of god. Jason and Leiah then take Caleb back to Ethiopia to rebuild the monastery and allow Caleb the chance to grow up a full and semi normal life.