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 Eighty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We gathered last night to debrief one another. It is clear that Mei and Meesa have managed everything in the most harmonious fashion. Peace and contentment crown all their efforts.

And we shared the details of our adventures and the faithfulness of the Spirit towards us.

I marvel at how quickly things can settle into normalcy. Both for us who have been gone and for those who stayed. A welcome circumstance.

The Captain and Jezer again set out for the task that we had interrupted yesterday.

Elijah disappeared into the set apart place. I feel the same need but I have one other thing to do first.

Quasimo had asked my help with the drones. That done, I joined Elijah.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Sixty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah took Mawuli’s parents aside to encourage them. I could tell that their hopes were greatly shored up when I talked with them later in the day.

And I know my resolve has been strengthened likewise. It helps when you get the focus off yourself and onto Whom it belongs.

Keeping busy also helps. Especially doing those things that I can see are building up others and meeting their needs.

Mei and Meesa have aided me in this, adding to the list that Elijah gave me yesterday.

However, these chores were interrupted soon after. When delivering some requested items to Reuben’s conclave, he met me with the news that Magwich and two other former prison guards had left without permission.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah called for an end to the demolition of all the remaining passages into the hiding place area. The Captain started to protest, but Sy stepped forward and by his argument convinced our friend that such measures were no longer necessary.

Mei and Meesa asked to meet with us to discuss the state of our provisions and the water supply here. After they expressed their concerns, Elijah was able to put them at ease, stating that, given the time remaining there is more than enough to care for the 120,000 people, called to be here.

Afterwards I had so much to think about, that I drew away to the set apart place to intercede for Mawuli and, yes, Mr Kagi.

Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Relief. Relief and peace filled our very beings with our first steps back into the hiding place.

Though we always carry peace with us, I do say I appreciated that these surroundings very much reinforced it. I could sense the stress falling off of me.

Soon we were surrounded by the well wishes of our brothers and sisters, led by Meesa and Quasimo.

Seeing our exhaustion they quickly prepared places for each of us. A good thing, for I could barely hold my head up.

A night of dreamless sleep seemed over in an instant.

We rose, gathered and took stock. Both Mei’s group and the Captain’s had made it safely from Babylon. Only Mawuli and Mr Kagi were absent.

Day One Thousand Fifty Six #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Another long day passed slowly. To all outward appearances – boring and pointless – but to our inward beings – rich and satisfying – and all the more so as we shared with one another around the evening meal.

We are agreed as to the direction of our next move, down to the route we will take – supplied by Sy.

What remains is the all important timing. We all agree. We will not set out, or should not set out until there is one more addition to our party.

But as to who that may be, we are not in agreement.

The Captain thinks it will be Tomas; Mei opts for Meesa; Sy and I are certain it will be Elam. Elijah remains silent.

Day One Thousand Forty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Meesa accompanied us to the tanker truck staging yard. While we waited to see if Elam might come in today, we made our goodbyes. She will return to the hiding place and give an account of our status, and at our request she will ask Reuben to travel up to Jerusalem to look for Tomas.

Perhaps he can give us a clue as to the whereabouts of Jezer.

We commended each other to the tender care of Hamashiach and parted.

The activity in the yard was noticeably less of a turmoil than our last visits. Elijah moved us to a shady spot as the heat of the day increased.

Come mid-afternoon and no Elam, we set out on the road.

Day One Thousand Forty #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We have covered all of Damascus and not come across any information on Jezer. And Meesa knew all of his contacts – only one could relate having seen him recently. And that occasion to the best of his recall was two months ago.

Also, employing various pretexts, she was able to check the police precincts and jails. None of which, thankfully, held him.

Speaking for myself, I now feel released from our call to this place. I only await my friend Elijah to concur, and I believe that should be forthcoming soon.

The three of us discussed at length today the importance of bringing Sy and Jordan and their peoples – and let us not forget Quasimo- safely into the hiding place.

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 One Thousand Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Meesa came in with our host when he returned from the daily foraging. We had been indecisive as to what we should be doing, so we were actively waiting. We each individually had come to the conclusion that something was immanent.

Though Elijah was prepared for the news she brought, I was not.

The sight of her reminded me that there was something I should have done. Once we had made contact with Elam I should have sent word to Quasimo that his mission to the Galilee was no longer necessary.

And here Meesa was reporting that Quasimo was now underway.

Elijah took it in stride. He was more interested that army units were thronging the roads to the east.