Day One Thousand One Hundred Fifteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Everything has changed over night – for Tomas – for Elijah and myself. But especially for Tomas as to attitude. He is no longer swallowed up by doubt and indecision. He has grown in confidence that his place for now is here. And he knows with surety that he will be called away and has been given a sign upon which to wait.

This development, to my thinking, is all the more remarkable because the suspicions we have been harboring have been confirmed to him. The Supreme Commander, indeed, purposes to keep us with him.

As for Elijah and me, we now know our departure will be soon. And we will be leaving Tomas behind.

The prospect saddens me. Spirit, prepare us.

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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.

Day One Thousand Twenty Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Elijah sent me off to rest last night and in addition told me to observe a Sabbath today.

Just how hard that has been to do, confirmed how much it was needed.

It was very difficult to stop thinking about Tomas and Jezer. And when not focused on their plight, my concern rolled over onto Elam and Sy and Jordan off in the Galilee.

Realizing that laying on my bed in  such a state was far from restful, I arose and sought solace in the set apart place.

When I entered I found Elijah and Mawuli there, each separated into their own niche. I moved further back seeking one of my own. And soon I was able to unburden myself.

Day Nine Hundred Seventy Eight #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

Off to our right a fire burned the night through. We kept walking longer than usual, able to do so by its far reaching illumination. Elijah and I, our thoughts filled with concern for Tomas, had one dominant thought between us – we wanted to get to the rendezvous point as soon as possible.

And we did.

But being early only meant we had longer to wait. A plus to Elijah’s way of thinking. He settled into a time of rest, of focus, of communion with the Spirit. It was an effort, but I followed his example soon after.

And that is how Tomas found us. He was early also. He had rushed lest we worry he had been taken prisoner.

Day Nine Hundred Seventy Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I’m beginning to fear we might have to return to Babylon. I’ve been turning Mei’s words over and over in my mind, pondering the meaning of something being light and dark simultaneously.  And can come up with no other likely explanation.

Currently.

Tomas continued to energetically move about. He seemed to be everywhere. And no one among all the people we encountered throughout the day knew of any strangers in the land. (The number we encountered was actually quite low).

I brought up my thoughts about Babylon to Elijah. He actually stopped and stood stock still for the longest time.

When he came to, he shook his head ‘no’ and continued onwards.

However, I could not stop thinking about it.

Day Nine Hundred Thirty Three #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As for Elijah, there was no question over the decision. We were out here and very close to turning up another missing group. And that was the bedrock of his thinking.

Jezer expressed surprise over this decision given the concrete evidence for one versus the scant evidence of the wheel tracks for the other. Even when he added that rumors were afloat that the group in prison was facing capital charges, did nothing to budge Elijah off of his decision.

I was torn seeing the value behind both arguments. So I counseled to wait and pray for direction. My two friends concurred.

Thus we waited, prayed, and watched. And this morning we saw our answer – a tanker truck lumbering along.

Day Eight Hundred Twenty Seven #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

As such things often work out when you give yourself to waiting, so the problem with Quasimo corrected itself. And in such a way that it gladdened both Elijah and myself.

Quasimo came to us this morning with the news that one of his cousins now believes. And he credited the joyful outcome to instructions received in a dream over night. He was given the very words to speak to the daughter of his mother’s brother.

This changed the complexion of our thinking too. We no longer feel the necessity to leave today. Rather Elijah considers it paramount that we spend the day with Quasimo and his cousin to prepare them for the task, and train them for the journey.

Day Seven Hundred Nineteen #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I could not stop thinking about G and his people and the road ahead of them. And wondering if we forgot to relate to them anything that might make their pilgrimage less perilous.

Tomas, thankfully, had given him valuable information for dealing with the Supreme Commander should they run afoul of his massive army. And Elijah wonderfully encouraged him.

This train of thought halted when the Captain spotted movement ahead of us, and for all appearances coming directly for us.

After the briefest of discussions, we continued on our course.

At one point they halted for no other reason I can think of, except they saw us.

It was a caravan of merchants. We passed one another in absolute silence.

Day Five Hundred Fifty Nine #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

I cannot help thinking about our recent guests and their enchantment with those green clad islands, as we pass by visions of surpassing beauty found only in the islands of these climes. They would have asked to move in for a closer look, maybe even have begged to land.

I know I have had such longings. But I realize that we have a schedule to keep and more pressing matters to see to.

Elijah remained in the special cabin all day. I alternated between the bridge and the Purser’s office, lending a hand to Tomas or P as the need arose.

Again a whole day has passed and no ship sightings. It would be disconcerting if we didn’t know why.

Day Three Hundred Seventy Four #DiaryoftheEndoftheWorld

We are in a quandary.

We want Mary and her children to return with us to the ship. But she dares not go back.

And the more she shares with us her reasoning, the more we are swayed to her thinking. All the followers of Hamashiach left the city after a prophetic warning from one of its leaders.

Having missed the Glorious Appearance through unbelief, they are all skittish about departing the path prescribed for them. She has only lingered in this area in hopes of her husband’s return before the deadline.

Elijah and I agree that we will soon have to return to the city and the ship. Our path continues from there.

What will we tell the Purser?