A Abba's Apocalypse (29 page)

              I finish scraping the scraps off my square plate, that was formerly a floor tile, and then hurry to the meeting area. I want to see if I can talk to Paul first about what he plans to announce. I make it over and find Tiffany alone on the front row seating area patiently waiting. “God morning to you,” I tell her. My gesture temporarily removes this mysterious worry covering her entire face. She replaces it with an ingenuous smile. I move to sit by her as she tells me, “You’re going out again, aren’t you?” I see the concern she has, as my

sincere compassion rises. I cannot lie to her, but I don’t want her to feel the way she does either. I stare into her eyes, dumbfounded for the words I should say. She places her hands over her eyes and begins to cry. Then, the words automatically pour out of me. “Honey, don’t worry. I have supernatural protection. Nothing can happen to me unless God allows it. I am on a mission for God.” My words have a mild calming affect that stifles her whimper. “I’ll tell you a little secret.” She refuses to lower her wet hands, but rather leans her head into me, beckoning for my next words. “You’re the first person in a long that cares for me so much,” I say. She drops her hands and immediately tackles me in her embrace.

Tiffany emphatically states, “But, I don’t want you to go.” I tell her, “Well, maybe accept for that old goblin.” I feel her pressed embrace jiggle up and down as her head stays buried in my chest. I recognize Pastor Paul’s voice approaching as it comingles with several other familiar voices. “Please don’t go,” she implores me. I pat her back, and then hug her. “Tiffany, I want to tell you another secret. No matter what happens to me, we’ll always be together in eternity. When I get to Heaven I’m requesting my own space craft. I plan on exploring this incomprehensible vast universe, and I’ll need a first mate. Will you be my science officer?” She looks at me like I’m crazy, but she knows in her heart I am serious. “God says ‘No man knows, and no eyes have seen the wonders I have in store for those whom love me’.” I ask her if she believes that. I tell her, “Move over Captain Kirk, there’s a new pilot on deck.” She reluctantly laughs, “No Joey, you’ll be my first officer.” I stand to go greet Paul while respectfully replying, “We’ll have to work on that honey.”

              My attempt to intercept Paul before the meeting fizzles into the flood enveloping him. I stop and return to sit at Tiffany’s side preparing for the developing news. Paul takes the podium and prepares for his announcement. The roar of the clamoring wave soon settles on the shore of boxes. Swishing sounds of “shhh” blow over this harbor of

apprehension. Paul’s tiding turns the tide to a dead calm, and then warns this crew of the approaching storm. “There is change coming. In view of recent events I’ve had to reconsider our position. Until now, our concern has been on surviving in the sea of turmoil. We’ve been trying to ride the crest of the wave till Jesus returns. That has got to change.” The crowd is so quiet I can hear their hearts’ beat. “Our goal is not found in this world, but in the one to come. I’ve made excuses to God and myself. I believed that a Sheppard should be concerned with his safety in order to protect his flock. And, you are my flock.” I look over this earnest sea of heads as they solemnly bob up and down, assuring the pastor of their affection and

devotion. “That was my mission, but it is no more.”

              This smashing surprise causes submerged emotions to surfaces. They lash out and clash on the rock of this church. I hear among the congregation rumblings of, “What are you saying pastor? Are you leaving us?” An eerie quietness emerges among these floundering eyes searching out their beacon of hope. Paul continues on saying, “These are the last days as we know it. All of our purpose should be dedicated to saving all those drowning souls. Therefore, I refuse to stay safely anchored in this harbor of hope and watch eternal death and damnation wash over those lost souls any longer!” Paul’s intimidating charisma leads him to ask, “Who is with me?”

I watch as every hand raises, and hear every voice rise in agreement to this truth. They realize it’s not Paul they are agreeing with, but the very Spirit of God. For, who can argue with God’s truth? “I hope to organize four different search parties to travel in all four compass directions. After that, I’ll be traveling with Joey!” I look into his staring eyes and am astounded by the veracity of his proclamation. He reminds me of his authority by stating to the audience, “This is not open for debate!” My thunderstruck jaw drops as Tiffany embraces me and the idea by stating, “At least you won’t be alone.” I feel like I’ve just run 99 yards and been tackled just before the goal line. 

              I accept this inevitable transition and prepare a new strategy to accommodate the both of us. I decide to wait till tomorrow before implementing it. This should give me enough time to devise a plan of action and employ a system to accomplish it. Paul adjourns the meeting by issuing a request for brave volunteers, asking, “Who is willing to take up his cross and follow me?” I watch as the congregation responds to Paul’s request by seeing many humble men come forward. Moses pries himself away from Katie’s clutch, while kissing her forehead before advancing forward. I can almost hear his voice telling her, “Darling, this is something I just have to do.” I see off in the distance Dave dropping his ladle as one of the

crying wives explains to him what’s going on. I proudly watch him abandon his post, and defiantly desert it with the heart of a lion. I see Scotty, Kenny, Jerry, Gary, and Randy march past their fear. I watch six other brothers from the former “Project T” file forward. They mingled in with six more of my new brothers advancing. Even Amanda wishes to join the ranks. I see her bolting between the behemoths with the bravery of a raging bull. Twenty heroic souls now stand near the pastor as he asks, “Ready to be soldiers for Christ?” Every volunteer joins hands as Paul leads us in a prayer of divine providence. We finish the meeting by reassuring one another of our sincere faith. We seal our promise to serve through our congratulating embraces. We take the rest of the day to reflect on our decision with family and friends. Then, we sleep on our decision to serve.    

              After breakfast, the volunteers head to the meeting area. I am summoned to the podium as the clamor turns to silence. Paul pats me on the shoulder and introduces me as the “Head of Operation.” “Joey has the experience, knowledge, and proven dedication to lead us. Everyone, listen up and follow his commands.” I turn to Paul and tell him how thrilled I am that he would allow me to so vigorously volunteer. He just smirks at me then pounds my back several times with his hand. I inform the congregation, “My first directive is to ask

everyone to choose a partner.” I think it will be best if they pick their own mate. This wisdom will alleviate the possibility of any future regret towards authority, and will allow them to pair up with someone who is most like them. I always found like minds work alike, and get more accomplished in like manner. We’ll need to exploit this advantage to stay ahead of the demonic forces. I inform them that we will be traveling in teams of two towards the four different compass directions. “Eight of us will start our missions on even numbered days, and the other eight will start on odd numbered days. The first group of eight will be called the ‘Alpha’ squads. And, the second will be called the ‘Omega’ squads. The other four

remaining individuals will coordinate the missions and handout the next day’s assignments. They will also act as replacements.” After pairing, we flip a coin to see which of the ten pairs will become part of the “Alpha” and “Omega” squads. The pastor and I lay claim to “Alpha E” for east. Each of the remaining candidates is assigned the next available clockwise compass direction. This will help identify each pair and give order to each assignment.

              After choosing the teams I give a short class on “how to maneuver through the terrain unnoticed.” Then, we discuss what signs we should look for that distinguish possible Irreverent from the LD. We then have a quick class on navigation and recognizing your surroundings. Between classes, I send Paul off with a list, to see if he can get some of the ladies to make some needed equipment A.S.A.P. (as soon as possible). Lastly, we discuss the importance of their mission, and what they will carry with them in their journey. The rest of today’s itinerary is then dedicated to mission preparation, open discussion, and rest. I finish with the command, “We move out at first light, so be ready!”

              Pastor Paul joins me as we head to the supply room to see if Moses can fill our list of needed supplies. We stop at the entrance and observe as Moses instructs Katie how to take

over his supply room position. She seems more occupied to just being with him these remaining hours than learning the supply room trade. I interrupt Moses by handing him the list of things we’ll need. I watch as he reads the list while scratching his head. Katie’s arms magically appear from behind him, and then wrap around his mid section. “I think we got all this stuff?” Moses replies. I tell him, “We’ll stop back a little later to pick up whatever you’re able to assemble.” We leave the couple alone to spend this remaining special time together.

              A thick cloud of nervousness, weighed down with stirring anxiety hangs over the main living area as we enter. There is no laughter or even arguing, just a steady heavy

monotone of sincerity, everywhere. I feel invisible as we pass our friends. Everyone seems hypnotized in helping their loved ones prepare. We make it over to my sleeping quarters as I invite the pastor to sit beside me on the cot. I ask him if he has someone to replace him while he’s on the mission. Paul explains that he has three volunteers who will take turns monitoring the radio. He instructed them to start monitoring and recording anything unusual in around the clock shifts, which they’ll also be doing seven days a week. This drastic change in venue tells me the pastor feels the same change in the wind coming as I do. He finishes by informing me the replacement spiritual leadership will be handled by Brother Sam. Moses arrives with a big box of supplies telling us, “I did what I could.” He sets it down on the floor as Paul and I abruptly start rummaging through it. We begin checking off our list as Carol, who is Dave’s new replacement, sounds the diner alert with Ruth, her new assistant. I look over towards the dining area and see there is no real rush to eat tonight. Katie joins us and grabs her big guy’s arm, and then pulls him along to diner. He asks if we’re going to join them. I tell him, “Save us a couple seats. We’ll be over in a few minutes.”

              I continue searching through the box and am amazed to find two real rucksacks inside. I ask Paul, “Where did these come from?” He tells me that several brothers went and

moved most of the supplies from “T” to here. He informs me “They found them when they shuffled the boxes around in the supply room.” Just below these are five improvised travel backpacks. I notice a black “Hello Kitty” decal on one. Paul and I have a welcomed tension relieving laugh. I notice the ladies must have tried to dye this kid’s backpack black. Four other handmade backpacks are sewn together from a painter’s canvas drop cloth. I realize the ladies must have found the canvas lying around. “These will have to do.” I find seven rolled sections of rope, seven bags of basic essentials, seven homemade “first aid” bags, seven water bottles, seven small Bibles, seven homemade knives, thirty two protein bars, and

sixteen glow sticks. We hurry to divide the stuff and insert the proper portions into the seven sacks. I reach in my rucksack and take out the medicine I made earlier. I toss equal portions in each basic essential bag along with handwritten instructions on how and when to use it. As we seal the sacks I hear a loud growling sound. Paul informs me he was fasting for divine guidance.  I tell him, “Right now God’s telling us to go get some diner.”

              We arrive at the dining area to see Moses and Katie have already gotten each of us a plate, and a spot to sit. I thank the pair and give Moses a special recognition for gathering all the much needed supplies. He informs us it was “No problem brothers.” I smile seeing the little praying hands stabbing the crack between Katie and Moses. They turn outwards and try to pry the couple apart, revealing the desire of little Hanna to sit between mommy and daddy. Young Jordan sits next to Moses and leans into him, challenging his short arms to wrap around the big guy. Every member of the family is tied in this clutching ball of emotions. It looks like a scene “Norman Rockwell” might have painted. They act as if they all know daddy is leaving in the morning.

              Pastor Paul invites us to join him in the diner blessing prayer, which carries over in to a special blessing on the family. Paul and I feel their love pour over, and their anguish.

Both of us quietly agree to give them some much needed solitude by hurrying to finish eating. I stand and pat the couple while telling the children, “Sweet dreams.” As I prepare to leave, Paul swallows his last bite and tells us, “Goodnight everyone. And Moses, we’ll see you in the morning.” I just wave to Paul as we retreat to retire.

              The morning comes fast as I am abruptly awakened by the repeated shrugs of my dark arm alarm clock. Paul alerts me, “It’s time to get up.” Before I have a chance to ask him what time is it, I see his green floating aura follow his face back-off-into the dark. I manage to comprehend he is making his rounds to wake all the teams. My fuzzy mind yells at me

“Go back to sleep!” It causes me to think, “Maybe it’s still too early.” I struggle to read my watch, but it informs me it really is 5:03 am. I force myself to slide around sideways on my cot, and attempt to don my socks and boots. I stand and finish dressing, as the green floating face returns. “Just in time,” I whisper to Paul. The closer he gets the more I notice the flock of faces floating in the dark just behind him. I grab a sack and lift it near the approaching light while telling Paul, “Hand this back.” He grabs it as I repeat the process until all three teams are equipped. I toss my rucksack on my back, and then tell the group to move out. We head up to the roof for one last meeting before leaving on our missions.