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 Nine Hundred Sixty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elam begged to leave today. He calculated that Sy and his people would be in need of a fresh supply of water.

Elijah and I gave our hearty approval, adding at the same time a request that Sy mount a search to the east beyond their stronghold for the missing Purser and his group.

At this juncture, Magwich stepped forward and volunteered to accompany Elam. They had become fast friends during their latest expedition.

To this we assented after referring the matter to Reuben first, who easily agreed. And then in turn he proposed himself to reconnoiter the area in and around Damascus.

Elijah called a halt to the proceedings at that point, saying we needed to wait a day.

Day Nine Hundred Forty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Our fellow prisoners swarmed around Elijah. I recognized many from the hospital of the coastal town we visited so long ago. I talked with two who remembered me. They were very solicitous to know any news about Raj G. How they were gladdened to hear my report.

It was a late night, that culminated with a unanimous vote – Elijah was chosen to make all the decisions going forward. He acceded to their request but only until he can affect their release from this prison and see them safely to the hiding place.

As we sought to implement better communications today, we were stopped cold in our efforts by the sudden influx of guards into the dungeon that they call home.

Day Nine Hundred Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah was out before I arose this morning. He took Jezer and Elam with him for a walk up the mountain. I know the plan was for him and Jezer to point out the way to the hiding place, but I think that Elijah had an additional reason for the hike, a more personal one.

I had everything prepared for our departure by the time they returned. We would have left right then, but Elijah called for a last minute meeting with Sy, in which he asked him to consider lending his support in freeing the imprisoned group.

Sy promised to put out a fleece on that request.

Elijah thanked him. They bid us Godspeed. And we left with Elam.

Day Seven Hundred Fifty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A busy day for all. A large contingent of the camp spent the day with Elijah at the request of Jordan. Since Jordan has been here he has sent many groups off on the next leg of the journey to Jerusalem.

Word has passed down from all the groups that have collected here from out of the northern countries about the guidance that Elijah had shared on that one singular occasion. They were all eager to hear from the man himself.

He did not disappoint. Even the Captain and Tomas were riveted by his words. And Mei came to me with an enlarged understanding. And with many more questions.

When the camp took up their  duties she met with Elijah.

Day Seven Hundred Twenty One #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain went out hopeful but returned disappointed. Tomas had found a downed satellite, from which the Captain wanted to recovery some batteries, but it was too smashed up. Overall, it was little more than the ‘smudge’ it appeared to be from the distance.

Still, Tomas brought back some broken components and he was rewarded this morning when he finally cracked open the casings revealing many parts fashioned from gold.

We allowed him the time to extract the precious metals, but denied his request to return to the site for more.

We pressed on towards another mountain range bordering the northern edge of this desert.

And crossed a wide swath that must have been the track of the massive army.

Day Seven Hundred Five #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We had no sooner noticed that activity throughout the camp had increased, when Tomas brought word that orders were circulating for the army to advance.

At that juncture the Supreme Commander came to us with a request. He wanted us to assume a place with the advance units as they go through the next pass.

Or specifically Elijah, the Captain and myself. For he had decided to keep Tomas back in the rear of the army by his side.

(Obviously to keep us from wandering too far).

After a brief conference we acceded to his request.

I knew from my ongoing talks with Elijah that this fit exactly with our goals.

Even in the position that Tomas will find himself.

Day Four Hundred Fifty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

A whirlwind of a day. At the crack of dawn the tug returned with our guests of yesterday. We were granted permission to enter the harbor.

The pilot took us in.

A berth had been cordoned off for our vessel, and as soon as we docked, Emil’s special container was offloaded. All the while the political officer kept Elijah and I under close observation.

If the three containers we were to take back had been ready we would have been out of there in no time. But they weren’t. Granted they had an excuse, they had not been expecting us.

So we had to wait.

Elijah asked permission to go ashore and was denied.

My request as purser was granted.

Day Three Hundred Seventy #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

The Captain has made his decision. He will offload those containers invoiced for this port under two criteria, those not filled with foodstuffs and those with no possible future use.

With this decision which will place the ship in port for the immediate future, Elijah felt moved to approach the Captain with his request. He asked permission of the Captain for us to go on shore.

When he asked why, Elijah told him we must seek out followers of Hamashiach. Though reticent the Captain gave his assent.

We met with the Purser to talk about his family and how to find his home. He gave the information whole-heartedly.

We made our way through the empty streets to his home.

Day Three Hundred Thirty Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Fair seas and following breezes accompany our little convoy. The Captain estimates that we have only lost three days in our roundabout passage.

The crew had a happier frame of mind, though the sight of Elijah or myself on deck is cause enough to send them to anyplace we aren’t.

The grain ship, which once trailed us, is now out in front, having found some extra speed. The Captain has signaled them not to go too far in advance.

Elijah has asked the favor of being transferred to the other ship. The Captain briefly weighed his request before deciding in the negative. He does not want to lose the time it would take to grant his wish.

Ultimately Elijah agreed.