Joshua 2002

Joshua arrives in Auburn and rents a barn

A mysterious man named Joshua appears in the small town of Auburn and takes up residence in a barn he rents from Joan Casey, turning it into his home and woodcarving shop. He settles in as neighbors watch curiously as he goes about his days. Interestingly, the barn’s roof does not leak despite many holes, hinting at something unusual about him.

Joshua hauls a massive ash log through town

To the town’s astonishment, Joshua carries a huge ash log, estimated at around 300 pounds, from the outskirts into his barn. The feat draws crowds and marks his arrival as a spectacle rather than a quiet arrival. His presence and strength begin to generate a growing rumor mill about who he is and what he will do.

Rebuilding the Baptist Church

Joshua begins by rebuilding the Baptist Church, which had been destroyed in a previous storm. As he works, locals rally around the project and contribute in whatever way they can, inspired by his example. The church’s restoration becomes a symbol of the town’s shifting faith under his influence.

Father Tordone commissions a statue of Peter

Father Tordone, the local Catholic priest, hires Joshua to carve a statue of the Apostle Peter. Joshua suggests the statue should be made of ash and claims that he ‘knows Peter,’ hinting at his uncanny insight. The commission deepens the contrast between Joshua’s methods and the town’s existing religious orders.

A few weeks of mutual aid

Over the next weeks, Joshua helps anyone he meets, and in return they assist him with the church rebuild. This reciprocal exchange strengthens his ties to the townspeople and accelerates the restoration projects. The growing cooperation shows Joshua’s influence extending beyond mere miracles.

Tent Revival interruption and healing

Joshua intervenes during a Tent Revival where a con artist is exploiting audiences with counterfeit healings. He tells the audience, 'You don't have to do it this way,' and proceeds to restore sight to a blind woman. The scene exposes the fraud and demonstrates Joshua’s healing power in contrast to the faker.

Suspicion grows; Vatican may intervene

Father Tordone grows suspicious of Joshua's motives and attempts to persuade the Vatican to intervene before he gains a following or forms a cult. The town grows tense as church leaders debate Joshua's place in faith and authority. The conflict foreshadows a larger confrontation with established institutions.

Resurrection and renewed Vatican interest

The turning point comes when Joshua resurrects a man from the dead, a miracle that shocks the town. The Catholic Church takes a renewed interest in him and begins to see potential in his abilities. The resurrection becomes a catalyst for further attention from religious authorities.

Invitation to Rome

Following the resurrection, Catholic officials invite Joshua to Rome to discuss his abilities and the possibility of his place within the Church’s approach to miracles. The invitation marks a new chapter and a potential departure from Auburn. The town’s perception of him shifts as this opportunity looms.

Growing following and fear of a cult

As word spreads, Joshua attracts more followers and the town begins to notice. Some locals fear that his presence could grow into a cult or become a separatist movement within Auburn. The dynamics of faith, influence, and control become a central tension in the community.

The barn as a symbol of change

Joshua’s barn becomes a symbol of transformation in Auburn, evolving from a simple workshop into the focal point of the town’s spiritual and social shifts. The odd miracles and the lack of leaks in a roof full of holes feed the sense that something extraordinary is happening. The space embodies the tension between wonder and doubt in the community.