The Slow March of Light


 Based on a true story about a man Allen and I actually knew while teaching at Ricks College.  Although we knew nothing of this amazing story.  In fact, almost no one did, until just a year or so before he died.  Robert (Bob) Inama - a man of incredible faith and fortitude.


Bob was headed to law school, but was drafted into the army.  As an excellent marksman and speaker of German, Bob was given an assignment to spy on military targets in East Germany during the Cold War.  
The German professor he was working for turned him in and Bob spent six months as a Prisoner of War.  He endured daily beatings, watery gruel, and was offered coffee, but never drank it.  He figured out when fast Sunday was, and fasted once a month in spite his meagre rations.  He made up his mind to be grateful for little things, including the guard who gave him the food.  

As he was taken to the interrogation room, he spoke to "Adolph" the name he gave the guard.  Bob told Adolph about his family, his beliefs, his future.  Adolph never talked back or indicated he had heard.

One day, Bob was taken outside and tied to a pole.  At the last minute, Adolph moved him to another pole, which saved his life from being shot as the other two prisoners were.  

One day, Bob was taken to a room and ordered to shower and put on clean clothes.  Bob wondered if they were dressing him up to shoot him.  But, he was turned over to the Americans as a prisoner of war swap.  One of him for two Germans.  As he turned to leave, he whispered into Adolph' s ear, "I love you, Adolph, my brother."  Adolph did not respond.  

Bob never told people about his experiences until a year or so before hie died.  However, 15 years after he returned home to Idaho to teach at Rick College, he received a letter from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saint Headquarters.  Inside was another letter; no name no address.

This was written on that letter:

Bob Inama,

I don’t know if this letter will reach you, but I thought I’d write to let you know that I have never forgotten you, or the man you were. I have just returned from the Swiss temple with my wife and children. We were sealed together for time and eternity. 

Adolf

Although the book is fictionalized, I give it four stars instead of five because I didn't care how the author changed some of the true narrative about his life.  I don't understand why she changed some of the pertinent details.  But, I will say that the story itself is a remarkable and amazingly inspiring story of a very GOOD patriot and follower of Christ.  



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