Day One Thousand Seventy One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Throughout the night constant flashes split the dark, off ahead of us. No sound. Just light. Come the day, it was like any other. No indication of a clash of arms in any direction. Yet we knew it was out there.

Mawuli went out early and attempted to find somewhere to see over the horizon, but to no avail. It was good to know, however, that nothing was out there to oppose us.

We covered a lot of ground. And thankfully we no longer had the annoyance of that mountain gale blowing at our backs.

Mawuli reported back that we will change our heading come tomorrow to follow one of the great rivers of the region, a river of dust.

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Day One Thousand Thirty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

With Meesa directing our movements we looked into all the nooks and crannies in Damascus in which Jezer could be seeking refuge.

I was a bit mechanical, I admit, and somewhat distracted. I had had an unsettling dream over night. And my thoughts ran on two separate tracks. One, upon what we were doing. And the other on the details of my dream.

In my dream, I was dreaming. It was night, and the dark enfolded me. And into the dream came the sound of dripping. A sound that crescendoed into a raging torrent. With the coming of the light, I could see it was a rising tide of blood.

But I could not see from whence the blood came.

Day Eight Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our guide has switched roles today, looking to Elijah and myself as guides into the Truth. He hung upon every lesson as Elijah taught from the surroundings. The plants heavy with grain, the water nourishing their roots, and the very light of the sun’s rays helping us to see these things.

Time seemed to stand still as we kept on our way. Before we knew it we were beyond the fields and into unreclaimed desert. The dryness added discomfort to the heat.

We began a swing to the north following the contour of a bowl-like depression, the end of which meant a steep climb up to a new elevation and a view of the megapolis- minus its tallest building.

Day Six Hundred Eighty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We kept warm last night, having ignited wood left in a fire pit at the center of the chamber.

Tomas, as ever, made the most helpful discoveries. He rummaged around beyond the limit of the light from the fire and fell into an alcove that contained a gasoline generator. He was able to crank it up and we had lights.

We thus learned that this place was a whole lot bigger than we thought. Other tunnels branch off the chamber to sleeping quarters, ammunition stores, and food supplies.

So we ate well and rested while awaiting the storm to subside.

The Captain regularly went outside to check the storm. The last time he was ushered back in by two soldiers.

Day Six Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As the night came on, we saw the light from that campfire still in the same place. It occasioned a lively debate.

The Captain, backed by Tomas’ judgement, wanted to find a way around it. To that end Tomas volunteered to run in advance of us to reconnoiter.

Elijah and I, however, held a different opinion. We wanted to continue on and catch up to these people – all based upon the revelations that Elijah has received, and the confirmation that I’ve been convinced to accept.

What I had to say on this matter resonated with our friends, and they at last acquiesced.

At the end of this night’s trek, we estimate the camp to be only one  more night away.

Day Five Hundred Fifty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Strangely uneasy all day.  But no one else aboard shares my apprehension.

It started this morning over breakfast. The dawn was slow arriving. The darkness clung everywhere, refusing to lift and give place to the light.

I mentioned this to Elijah. He only shrugged his shoulders and kept eating.

I planned to take some exercise on the deck, stopping first to check in on the bridge. Both the Captain and Tomas were present. But each was irritated about something, so I took the cue and launched into my walk down below.

It seemed to me that the storm of a couple of days ago had returned, only this time it was internal instead of external.

Time for the special cabin.

Day Four Hundred Sixty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The fasting and the time apart proved effective for me. I can truthfully say that my mind did not wander once.

Towards the end of my watch I sighted a light in the darkness in front of us. Tomas answered my call, and after observing it himself, judged it to be on land.

Based on that knowledge the Captain ordered the ship to hold up offshore until morning. And had the watch tripled.

The source of the light proved to be a village. We warily watched as one of their boats came out to us.

As it turned out the Captain was acquainted with the person in charge. And he soon agreed to transport some of their tin and bauxite.

I Know

I know
Thy Word is living
And speaking
“Follow Me.”

I know
That by Thy Truth
I am set free
To be
All You meant me to be

I know
Thy Spirit quickens
And meets my every need
All I need do is ask
And You give
Boldness for any task

I know
That You know me
And I have no higher desire
Than to live my days before
The eyes of Holy Fire

And with those similarly viewed
Laying claim to the same insight
By the hope that purifies imbued,
Cleansed that we may be light.

RWOz2

Day Three Hundred Seventy Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I stayed awake to count the stars in the sky last night. Hence, I was a witness to a light that briefly appeared on one side of the lake ahead of us.

It was the first area we searched. And as there were fewer homes on that side of the lake we quickly found the only one occupied, and the source of the light.

The occupants are indeed the wife of the Purser and his children. She has set the light nightly in hopes that it would lead her husband to them. Though disappointed that “we” were not him, they are overjoyed to hear he is well.

She desires that he come join them in their flight from the city.

Day Two Hundred Twenty Three Late Morning #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Lyle writes:

No sun this morning. In fact, what light there was, has diminished and gone out.  

A storm is coming. But what kind?

As I throw myself in the lee of a palm I see a rising tide of sand.