First Grain of Sand — Page 112
96 FIRST GRAIN OF SAND hands behind my back with a thick rope. I quickly grabbed the rope with both hands to avoid being tied up because the way they use the rope to tie hands would cause excruciating pain. To force me to let go of the rope, they brutally beat me by stomping on me with their boots and beating me with their hands and batons. When that failed to loosen my grip over the rope, they covered my mouth and nose with a cloth so I could not breathe, until I finally let go. They then laid me on the bare floor, pinned my hands behind my back, and tied an intensely tight knot. They jammed my legs together and clenched an equally tight knot around my feet, legs, and back. They then brought a large flat wooden board, laid me on top of it, and used the thick rope to tie me so tightly that it made me scream with pain. I implored the soldiers to loosen the knot around my hands as I was unable to bear the excruciating pain. But they were in a blood-thirsty rage and ignored my pleas. After strapping me tightly to the board, they left me alone in the dark room for the night. I screamed in agony and couldn't sleep at all, the pain in my arms tied behind my back was unbeara- ble. The intensity of that night's pain far surpassed all the suffering I had ever experienced in my life. Despite the fact that I suffered this night in unimaginable anguish and torture, I kept praying to God Almighty through my tear-filled supplications. I prayed: My Lord, I know it is inevitable that Your holy name be taught and exalted in this country, and the light of Your servant [the Promised Messiahas] be spread throughout this land, but deprive me not of this blessing. Grant me the opportunity and strength to convey Your dear one's