Day One Thousand Two Hundred Thirty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Besides Reuben and Sy, all the leaders asked to accompany us to Jerusalem – Elam, the Raj twins, Quasimo and his cousin, Jordan, Jezer, Meesa, Lung, Mr. Kagi, the Purser and Mary, and Mawuli.

Only Mei did not.

I took her aside and surprised her with a request. I knew that I had to lay down my writing chores and asked her to assume those responsibilities.

At first she demurred, proclaiming inadequacy. At that point Elijah stepped in and placed his hand upon her head.

As he spoke over her I saw the strength of the Spirit descend.

Then we told her she would accompany us.

And after bidding our friends farewell, the Spirit bore the three of us to Jerusalem.

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Day One Thousand One Hundred Ninety #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A plan has been made and the parts assigned. Elijah and I left for the Galilee after meeting with Mawuli’s parents, the Purser and Mary. We assured them we will do everything possible to bring their child home.

We took Tomas with us. Sy, Reuben, and Magwich will follow, each leading a small group on successive days.

Hopefully to maintain the smallest profile possible.

Mei stopped us on the way out. She so wanted to accompany us. Elijah firmly declined her offer, but then had a second thought, and added that if the Captain and Jezer were to return in the next three days she could direct them to come and accompany them.

She excitedly embraced him then skipped away.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Conjecture is all we have as to the why of Mawuli’s departure. His parents, the Purser and Mary, had no inkling that he would do such a thing. Though they did note that he has grown quite independent.

It is my considered opinion that he would not have acted without first consulting the Spirit. But why he had not sought the wisdom of others for a confirmation has me puzzled.

As for myself I feel an overpowering desire to go up to Jerusalem to look for him.

Elijah, however, remains noncommittal. He will not budge an inch until summoned to do so.

Magwich has come to us today with the Raj twins and we allowed them to make the attempt.

Day One Thousand Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Well, we did not depart with the third group yesterday, nor with the fourth or fifth today. Elijah and I agreed to wait for an answer to our disagreement before taking any further action.

We have not discussed it with any of the others, preferring to keep our own council. That being said, we did leave an opening for any of our friends to speak into the situation unprompted by us and hopefully free of any other influence except that of the Spirit.

We saw Malawi off with his group. His mother Mary, bravely held back her tears until they were out of sight.

About that time Mei returned from the ruined city with an urgent request for our presence.

Day Nine Hundred Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I almost asked Mary about her daughter Retha, but a closer view of Mary’s face told all. Lines of sadness were stamped into her countenance.

She hugged me, then embraced her son who held my gaze, an apology in his eyes for not preparing me.

The Purser directed us to a spot to rest. Instead Elijah and I found their special place and spent the night in intercession.

The area atop the plateau could easily accommodate a larger group, as we learned when the Purser showed us around.

And so it had at one time.

Now their numbers are dwindling through disease and untreated injuries.

More than ever we felt a renewed impetus to bring them to the hiding place.

Day Nine Hundred Eighty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The last leg of our journey was exceedingly difficult. Mawuli led us into a narrow canyon that from a distance appeared to split a massive table plateau.

We left the camel with some others in a pen situated at the widest spot, and continued on.

Our path dead ended where the two walls met. We then made a switchback that climbed the face of the canyon wall.

Tomas and Mawuli had to boost, first Elijah, then me, up and over the last obstacle at the top.

As we walked the slope to the higher end of the plateau, our friend the Purser, ran down to greet us.

Arm in arm he lead us to his encampment and his wife Mary.

Day Nine Hundred Sixty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

By the description of the people in Mei’s vision, I knew it had to be about the group led by the original Purser from the Captain’s ship. My heart warmed at the memory of him, his wife Mary and his children Mawuli and Retha.

I asked Mei if there were anything about her vision that gave a hint as to their whereabouts.

She hesitated in her reply, saying it was too confusing – light and dark at the same time.

I shook my head at that image, as it had no significance to me either. I pray that the Spirit will give us further understanding.

I was still mulling these things over when Jezer returned with Elam, Raj G and Magwich.

Day Four Hundred Seventeen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The council at Elijah’s urging has made the decision to depart the plain. I had seen this coming and was glad for my expedition of the day before. I made a recommendation that we set out along the stream eastwards for as long as feasible.

After we dispersed out of the meeting we scattered to set the command in motion. Elijah and I returned to the Purser’s tent and assisted his family in their preparations for the move.

The Purser joined us after he had gotten the word out to his surrounding neighbors. He then asked me to remain with Mary and the children while he and Elijah traversed to the west side of the camp to lead the advance.

Day Four Hundred Eleven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Purser took us into their commodious tent where we shared a meal, then turned in for the night.

First thing in the morning he and Elijah went off to a meeting with the many leaders of the settlement, while I stayed with Mary and the children. I caught them up on our adventures and they filled me in on theirs.

Only a couple of days after our parting they had met and joined a large party from the north. This group rejoiced greatly over the message her husband shared with them, and made him their leader upon learning its source was Elijah.

Retha proudly informed me that her brother is famous among them for his prowess with the sling.

Day Three Hundred Ninety #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We slipped out of the city in the middle of the night. Elijah, the Purser’s family and myself. Not through either gate. But over the wall via the rooftop of an adjoining building.

Elijah and I have some valuable experience in this regard from our first days together.

We stumbled about a good deal until we discovered at last the road leading to the interior. From there on it was an easy march for all.

We halted at the same place that Mary, the children and I stopped four days ago.  

Neither Elijah nor I know which direction we should go next. The Purser is all for striking out straight ahead. But we all agreed to await the Spirit’s leading.