Chapter 16     Forced/Early Departure from Israel

      At the hotel, Phoebe literally `crashed' onto her bed, while Harold sat at his favorite window seat, overlooking Old Jerusalem from their third floor vantage point. As he took in this early evening scene, deep shadows were creeping across the street, lights were beginning to blink on, ‑‑ yes, Harold thought, April 5th '1990' was soon to be history.

     With that thought, Harold reviewed the `history' of the day just past ‑‑ man alive he thought, how could you write it, ‑‑ who would believe it, ‑‑ truly a strange yet marvelous day. There were a number of truly supernatural expressions, ‑‑ some directly from God, others allowed of God via Dr. H.A. Issem to set the `negative' or `evil' test base for Israel and man. That, thought Harold, is a fantastic expression of our God's grace ‑‑ giving man every opportunity to choose Him.

     At about 6:30 pm Harold woke with a start ‑‑ he had dozed off while contentedly musing about all these great events of this fifth day in Israel.

     "Hey sleepy head", Harold prodded at Phoebe, "let's get ready to meet the young people over at the restaurant, ‑‑ ok?"

     "O‑o‑o‑K‑a‑y", rather begrudgingly came from Phoebe on the bed, "it will take me just a minute to get my brain and feet working together, ‑‑ did you get a nap, honey?".

     "I guess I did, ‑‑ I dozed off somewhere between very blessed and deep thoughts about what our Father has allowed us to see and experience today".

     "It has been incredible, hasn't is", Phoebe said as she stirred to her feet.

     "It will be interesting to compare notes", Harold mused, "and to get caught up on the outside news.  Do you realize, we have been basically cut off from news of home in the USA ‑‑ we don't know how L.A. is faring after the Hoover Dam earthquake ‑‑ we don't even know for sure what is happening at the Temple mount right here next door to us ‑‑ we must get over there and see the progress."

     On April 6th, '1990', the radio, TV, hotels, airlines and other traveler related entities were rather frantically informing visitors to Israel that they must leave soon due to shortages of fuel ‑‑ already all airlines had been cut back to 50% of normal, and this was expected to be reduced to about 20% within a few weeks. Naturally this is forcing all flights to full capacity!!

     Harold called PAA to check on their return, they  were on the spot scheduled to depart the next day.  Tomorrow!

      This left both he and Phoebe rather flabbergasted ‑‑ but they agreed  that they must go along with the emergency. So they were scheduled to leave at 3:45 p.m.  from Tel Aviv airport ‑‑ tomorrow! ‑‑ That's April 7th.

     Sam and Sadie received the news that they too must return to the USA with real pathos ‑‑ they were in a dilemma!!  They really want to stay.  They certainly do not want to return early.

     Sam mused to himself, "Maybe by this the Lord is indicating that we should stay here".

      Sadie had just come to the same thoughtful position, but, really, she thought, practically, they should return to the USA to clear out their apartment and say good bye to relatives and friends. 

    "What do you think honey" Sam asked.  "I think," Sadie replied softly  and rather pointedly, "we should seriously consider having Rebecca close out  our affairs there in Los Angeles."

     "WOW", Sam said rather quietly, "that's exactly the leading the Lord just gave me!"

      Rachel had heard the news that visitors to Israel had a decision to make ‑‑ she hoped the Monroe's wouldn't have to leave early, they were due to leave on the 14th ‑‑ she really wanted to spend as much time with them as possible.

     Jacob heard the news of visitor termination ‑‑ he immediately called the Monroe's, finding that they had been re‑scheduled to leave tomorrow.

     "Harold," Jacob said, "we must get together before you leave ‑‑ we must establish lines of communication".

     "Yes" ‑‑ Harold replied, "Phoebe and I feel an imperative to keep close to our `group' ‑‑ we feel that our Father God is uniquely using each of us in a special way through all of these events related to His word of Prophesy."

     "The wonder of it all,"  Jacob interjected, "is that God has allowed us a part in this great end time drama."

     "Fantastic", Harold softly interlaced.

     "Truly!", Jacob replied.

     There followed a long silence ‑‑ both men were seeking proper words to say ‑‑‑ finally, Jacob broke the silence.

     "Harold, God has used you to bring light and order to us ‑‑ now we see with God's perspective and are able to suitably respond.

     "It is clear to me," Jacob continued over the telephone, "that, indeed, Jesus is the Christ ‑‑  and we now look forward to His coming again ‑‑ to His Return".

      "Jacob," Harold broke in, "do I hear you saying that you know that the Lord Jesus Christ is indeed your Messiah?"

     "Right,", Jacob practically shouted, "I do so believe!!"

     "Great", Harold affirmed ‑‑ "but have you asked Him to be your Savior?"

     "Is there more?" Jacob asked.

     "Knowing is wonderful, but only part of the transaction", Harold firmly stated.  

     "What do I lack?", asked Jacob.

     "You only lack acting on that great truth concerning your Messiah, ‑‑ The Lord Jesus Christ,"  Harold carefully replied.

     How can I complete this `transaction'?"  Jacob quietly and expectantly asked.

     "You, and every other person in the world must come the same way, ‑‑ You must act on the Knowledge God has given you as He has called you ‑‑ accept Him as your Savior, recognizing your sin  that He took on himself for you on the Cross.  Believe Him ‑‑ invite Him to come into your life, to be at the center of your being."

     "I want that ‑‑ desperately", Jacob softly noted, "will you pray with me to that end, Harold?"

     You bet, Jacob," Harold joyfully replied, "please pray with me Jacob."

     "Dear Father, we come to you right now through these phone lines to tell you that we love you very much and want  your will and way in our lives.  The Lord Jesus Christ came to save all that will come to Him ‑‑ Jacob here has experienced your love and desires to be related personally to you."

     "Jacob", Harold suggested, "just express yourself to God (He is still the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob ‑‑ as well as Jacob Levi.)"

     "Thank you Father", Jacob painstakingly ‑‑ perhaps even falteringly, whispered. "I need you Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart -- please take away my sin and be my Savior and Lord."

     There was joy and sadness in the `group'.  Joy that Jacob had accepted Jesus ‑‑ sadness, that some of their number must leave so soon!  They had time to briefly share their joy with each other ‑‑ again reviewing the events of the week and the expectations for  the future.  It was agreed that they would keep in contact ‑‑ Jacob assuring  that their scheduled `Ham operation' contacts should be a good backup.  There were tears of joy as they all expressed their love to each other with individual and collective hugs. Their good-byes were expressed pointedly ‑‑ yet knowing that they would soon (only a matter of some 10 years) be together forever!!

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