The following is the first excerpt found in the Study Log of Adventure Island’s first researcher, Professor Luminari. Our young Explorers will be visiting Adventure Island next week to discover the island’s mysteries for themselves, using some of Professor Luminari’s old notebooks and Bible stories to illuminate the answers. Attached is also the first draft of his map, which was the only copy we were able to recover.
If you would like to help the young Explorers make it to Adventure Island, we invite you to come back to church after worship this Sunday, July 9, from 3-6 pm to help decorate. All abilities are welcome; we have something for everyone.
AI Study Log
Entry 1, Voyage Day 5
My name is Professor Luminari. I am here on Adventure Island studying the land and its resources because I’ve heard numerous tales of this magical land. I’ve only been here a short while, but what I’ve learned so far has been fascinating.
The Lighthouse (arguably Adventure Island’s most prominent feature) shines with a variety of colors, as if one is looking through a prism. This is atypical for a lighthouse, which would generally be a strong beam of light that could be easily seen from great distances, but I never felt as though I was left in the dark.
More mysterious than this, though, is that the Lighthouse does not seem to be operated by anybody. In fact, other than some curious wildlife, I think I am alone on the island. No, instead the Lighthouse stays illuminated thanks to the collective effort of the island. I believe it is connected to the lanterns, which I have begun to call the Guiding Lights.
These Guiding Lights are four lanterns that hang by the Lighthouse, labeled love, trust, joy, and hope, in that order. Although I am not exactly sure what powers them, I have created a hypothesis from talking with the animals [yes, my friend, you read that correctly: the animals here are talking to me] and from my own research. I believe each lantern is lit by the inhabitants of the island embodying the described characteristics. That is to say, for example, if we shine the light of love, as will the Lantern.
As such, I have identified the following Bible verse as sort of the “motto” for this island (some of the animals like to call it the “Signal Verse”):
“You are the light of the world. Let your light shine before others.”
Matthew 5:14, 16
I believe that when we shine the light of God to those around us, magical things can happen. Remembering that we are loved, that we can trust in a being greater than ourselves, that joy is a gift, and that hope can always be found can help make the world a little bit brighter. And, from my research so far, I believe Adventure Island is the manifestation of this belief.
There is still much to understand about this strange place and the magic it possesses. However, I am comforted to know the source of the Island’s power. What other mysteries are hidden in this place?
Yours in the discovery,
Professor Luminari
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