Day One Thousand Thirty Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We sensed that we are not yet released to leave Damascus. Elijah’s pupils, however, returned only to inform him that they are splitting up, some called to aid Tomas and the others in Jerusalem, and the other half of the team to look for Jezer, who is missing.

That latter bit of news upset me. And the fact that no one had any answers to my questions regarding him, only made it worse.

In addition I was left thinking why we had been sent here in the first place, while all along, as it now appears, the objects of our mission, were indeed, in the direction I had originally wanted to go.

Oh, to get from underneath my own understanding.

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Day One Thousand Thirty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I isolated ourselves today as best we could to seek guidance from the Spirit as to our next move.

His pupils, on his order have gone without the city to a place where they can do the same.

Elam had shared that the frequency of his trips has dropped in half. And he has heard rumors that what is coming in is being redirected to the fields around Babylon. Fields elsewhere are drying up at an alarming rate.

Elijah’s pupils down from the north echoed these facts, and talked of a schedule for towns to be cut off of supply.

And Tomas reported through them that all army units at the outposts were being removed and ordered elsewhere.

Day One Thousand Thirty Two #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We made the rounds with Elijah’s pupils loading up on scrap metal and returning early to the city. I could not help but notice that the scrap heaps were less extensive and may well soon be depleted. And then what will become of those in the slave quarter of the city?

The pupils had met with both Tomas and Jezer some time ago, but don’t know their current whereabouts. They had passed them off to the other group to coordinate an idea that Tomas had come up with.

Elijah and I set off to search for Tomas and Jezer this morning. And to check for Elam at the tanker truck staging yards.

Our quest today proved fruitless on all counts.

Day One Thousand Thirty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We found the spot where the tanker truck had been abandoned. Or, at least, we thought we did. For whatever wreckage had been there, had been removed.

We did not stay long on the busy thoroughfare after that, but at the first opportunity we struck off onto a mountain path. And slowly made our way to the place where  we had once waited with Meesa.

First thing this morning we moved to a vantage point from which we could evaluate the movements in and out of Damascus.

We were keen to know if any changes have been enacted since last we were here.

Elijah was pleased when he saw a group of his pupils emerge with the morning work force.

Day One Thousand Twenty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah and I went over our plans before our anticipated departure tomorrow. Not that we planned everything in minute detail. In our experience, collectively and individually, that would be counterproductive and would run the risk of missing the Spirit’s leading.

We did settle upon a direction.

At first I was all for heading north as I thought that the most likely place to begin our search for Tomas and Jezer after my talk with Quasimo yesterday.

Elijah dismissed that notion, not unkindly, but with an explanation that revealed he knew more than I did. His first pupils had been responsible for covering our crossing from that direction, our missing friends acted only to the south.

So, Damascus is our destination.

Day One Thousand Twenty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I was gladdened to see that the Purser and his family are fitting right in.  And he himself has volunteered to help Mei and Meesa in the everyday operations. I know they will soon come to appreciate his experience and input.

Mawuli, however, wants to do more, but feels slighted on account of his youth.

He came to me.

I told him I would take him on, but only if he first spent the week ahead sitting with the pupils under Elijah’s tutelage.

I there and then walked him over to their assembly area.

Elijah welcomed Mawuli into his group. And I suggested to Elijah that the three of us at week’s end, go in search of Tomas and Jezer.

Day One Thousand Sixteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Situations like this made me wish that Tomas was still with us, out front scouting. But that worry passed when I heard that gentle rebuke, and I realized I was transferring my trust off of where it should be.

I found Quasimo in the same dilemma. He was still hesitant about ordering us forward, thinking it perhaps too soon.

I believed his recent dreams were  robbing him of his confidence. I sent him to confer with Elijah, and  took up the task of moving us on.

Elijah sent his new pupils to assist me, and together we had everyone up and over the next hill in short order.

From the summit Quasimo saw that the next stopping point was free.

Day One Thousand Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Remarkable. I felt a release. No longer did I sense a need to intercede on behalf of the fractious tribesmen. I look forward to discovering what has happened.

Elijah passed the day with his new set of pupils. He revels (in the way only I can see) at the depth of the gifts manifesting in the group, especially that of prophecy.

I kept busy helping the Purser field the few big problems that have arisen after this last move. Together we sent Mawuli out to scout the best way forward from here. Hopefully he will resolve our biggest problem – circumventing the ruined city.

My evening meeting with Elijah was interrupted when a drone buzzed overhead.

I thought I recognized it.

Day One Thousand One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

My mind is at ease. Jezer and Tomas arrived this morning. They had a breakdown just south of the first village and it took all of the Purser’s people to drag it into a place with the right equipment for Tomas to attempt a fix.

Tomas is happy with the results and believes his repair should last. And Jezer reported that the Purser’s people should be on the way.

I relayed the good news to Elijah. He nodded with a smile and an arch of his brow. Then took me by the arm and walked me to his meeting with his “pupils.”

He wanted me there as he commissioned them and sent them out once again.

It was a special moment.

Day Nine Hundred Ninety Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Jezer and Tomas passed through again this morning to refill the tanker truck. They reported that Reuben was working himself to the bone in service to the injured. So Elijah thought it best to select some of his ‘pupils’ and send them on ahead to lend a hand.

When he had assembled them, they all volunteered. Elijah picked twelve and sent them out.

The rest he dismissed asking them to return later and to each bring a friend to replenish their numbers.

I sought out the Purser and together we came up with a list of ideas to take to Mawuli and his advance team. We sent a messenger with this list aboard the tanker truck upon its way through.