Part 4: Standing Against Sin

106th Day
Dear Diary

My journey has now been fifteen weeks. How much I have learned. How much I desire to be perfect for my Love.

I have become friends with a lady elder of the church, who mentioned that her son lives with a girl, and she seemed to be quite tolerant of it. The reasoning was that everyone does it, so how can she tell him not to. In the Bible, Eli lost his life because he did not correct his sons when they sinned. Something stirred in me – in my spirit!

At the risk of losing a friend, I knew I would have to confront her. No one seems to take a stand against sin here. They just let it go! At first, she rose up and was angry. Angry that I would even challenge her about it. She then admitted that the Lord had been dealing with her about it, but she had rejected it, knowing that if she told him that it was a sin before God, she might lose her son’s love. Yet she knew that what I had spoken was true. She began to weep and grabbed me, thanking me for being bold enough to confront her. It’s true, Jesus said that the truth shall set you free and in this instance, I have seen the fruits of this scripture. I am so happy that I took a stand and didn’t back down. My friend promised that she would correct her son.

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Nowhere in the Scriptures does it say to live in sin.

120th Day
Dear Diary

This morning I was walking along the shore and again thought of my journey. If it had not been for my uncle, who owned that ship, I would not have been able to start on my journey at all. Uncle offered to take me on this journey free of charge. That horrible storm we were in took his life. I’ll never forget him. I thought of the scripture:

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Lord, your ways are mysterious.
Shouldn’t I have died?

I returned to Marty’s home and got my Bible. As I opened it, my eyes fell on the torn label in the front. The torn section read – Rev. Rose Alu – The Church of Jesus Christ – Oregon. She taught such life, only righteousness. I must seek out her church in Oregon! I decided to start with Portland, since it’s the largest city in Oregon.

I called directory assistance, and the only church that even came close was “The Church of Jesus Christ of the Firstborn.” That has to be it! I called and got an answering machine with a message from Rev. J. Sydney Waters. I will try again later.

Remember their cry, my Lord and my Love.

127th Day
Dear Diary

This morning, Marty confided in me that her daughter, Sara, had had an abortion. I looked at her in utter disbelief! What is she talking about? I asked her the circumstances. She said that it was better than Sara’s life being ruined because of an unwanted baby to look after. She still had college ahead of her, and after all, it was her body and her decision. Marty said they agreed that they would not tell Kurt or the father’s parents. I told her that she and Sara had killed an innocent life, and that was sin! I was so shocked and hurt that Marty had allowed this, and didn’t see anything wrong with it! This is murder, and God must surely judge this.

Then she began crying. I wondered what was going on. She told me Kurt had been unfaithful. She and Kurt have been putting on an act for the sake of his career, until he retires in about fifteen months. Then he is getting a divorce.

The woman he has been seeing is his assistant at the Base. As we continued to talk, the story got worse. Marty admitted that she had thought of retaliating by seeing another man, a Diplomat, recently widowed. They had met at one of her charity luncheons.

I decided this was the time to tell her about my new love and my journey; how much I had changed. Maybe she would see the wrong she had done and know that my Love, Jesus, could wash away the bitterness and restore their marriage and forgive her for consenting to the abortion. I couldn’t have been more mistaken.

At first Marty argued, saying that Kurt had had more than one affair. (One was with her best friend.) They had tried counseling and the two ministers that they trusted, one a priest, the other a chaplain, could not help them. Kurt was too hard and she was too hurt. She mocked everything I said, saying she didn’t need God and she had to take care of it herself.

What a mess! I asked her, “Can’t you see the difference between our lives?” She said, “I have seen a big change in you, but it’s not because of this journey.” I softly replied, “It’s Jesus and the comfort of the Holy Ghost.” She got angry. I asked her if I could talk with Kurt. She said, “Kurt’s made up his mind.” We talked for three hours. Finally I said, “I will fast and pray till God gives me an answer. I know that God does not want you separated and I now know why he has brought me here. To save your marriage. Just as God has a call on my life – to be perfect and know my Love – so does he have a hand on you.” We cried together, and she agreed. The Lord was letting me help Marty as she had once helped me.

130th Day
Dear Diary

On the third day, early in the morning, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me as I was reading in the Gospel of John: prepare a dinner.

I set everything in place as the Lord had showed me. I told Marty to buy a new dress. I asked Kurt to be home at 6:00 and please be dressed in his best uniform; I was preparing a very special dinner. He laughed and said, “My favorite – Beef Wellington?” I told him, “That, lobster bisque, and pineapple-mango sorbet.”

6 o’clock came. The candles were lit. Soft music accented the elegantly set table. Marty, beautiful in white chiffon, had a radiant peace. Kurt was prompt and I walked him to his seat opposite Marty. He looked puzzled but said nothing.

As I stood between them, I asked for their hands and said, “God has spoken to me.” Then turning to Kurt, I said, “Take off your shoes.” He refused. I said emphatically, “Take off your socks.” He almost got up to leave, but I reached under the table and pulled out a basin of water and a towel. I said, “I have fasted for three days for the two of you and this marriage.” Marty began to cry softly. Kurt removed his shoes and socks.

Jesus… riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.… So after he had washed their feet… If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

As I washed Kurt’s feet, this commander of men, who had been in two theaters of war, began to cry. “Kurt, your sins are forgiven.” With that, Marty weeping deeply, moved to her husband’s side and embraced him. He wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” Marty replied, “God has forgiven you. How much …” I interrupted her, “…and God has forgiven you, Marty.” Now, in the flickering candlelight, both of them wept without reserve, holding each other tightly.

God had done his great work: Reconciliation.

135th Day
Dear Diary

The next day, Marty and Kurt talked with me. They asked me all about my journey. We spent hours.

Marty then told Kurt about the abortion. Kurt held Marty’s hand and said, “If God can forgive me, God can also forgive Sara.” Kurt then did the strangest thing. He said, “I want to fast for my daughter. I made mistakes too.”

Marty said to me, “You have helped me understand the way of God. I know he will hear my husband and me. I will fast with Kurt.”

Today Kurt and Marty called Sara in. Without saying a word, the Spirit convicted her and the miraculous happened. Sara grabbed her father and said, “Dad, I have done wrong.” Marty said, “And I did you wrong. I agreed to that abortion.” I said, “The Spirit is convicting you, Sara. Your parents have been fasting and praying for three days.” Sara asked, “What do I do? God, I’m so sorry.” I answered, “You’re washed by his blood. This is why Jesus died. You are forgiven.” We all cried together and thanked God.

138th Day
Dear Diary

The last three days have been bliss. This is why my journey brought me to Manila. Kurt is not going to retire. He and Marty are beginning a new work among the poor. They have also started a Bible Study for officers and enlisted personnel.

As for me, it is time to continue on to Oregon. Kurt is arranging transportation once again, and I will leave in three days for Seattle. Then I will catch a plane to Portland. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Firstborn will help me to become one with him: my Beloved.

140th Day
Dear Diary

Today I drove down to the shore to a café to read a little and have lunch. Before I entered, a man bumped into me, knocking everything out of my arms. As he helped me pick up my things, I recognized him. It was the man I had met in Panama: the Captain! He seemed more surprised than I was. “You were in Panama,” he exclaimed. “Yes,” I answered, “And you’re the Captain. What are you doing here?” “I’m going wherever the wind takes me. But to see you? You look terrific.” I didn’t know what to answer.

He asked if I had a few minutes and I said, “Sure, let’s go sit down.” I noticed that he opened the door for me, and when we got to the table, he pulled out my chair. What a gentleman!

We talked for more than an hour. He said he had been studying the Bible to learn more about what I’d said in Panama. His blue eyes had a new sparkle. He seemed changed since the last time we met when I did most of the talking. This time, he was full of questions. Thank you Lord.

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

Lord, watch over this man

This man has a good heart, and by the Spirit, I knew he had suffered much. Over coffee, I answered his questions. A local man asked to take our picture. The Captain snatched the picture playfully and stuck it in his pocket. I invited him to go to the church with me, but he declined. I told him I was leaving for Portland, Oregon tomorrow and hoped we would meet again. “If you are ever in Portland, look me up at The Church of Jesus Christ of the Firstborn. I am continuing a journey that I started four and one half months ago.” He said, “I started a journey too, to nowhere. But I am beginning to find meaning.”

141st Day
Dear Diary

I hugged Marty and Sara. They would not let go. Marty slipped an envelope in my hand. (When I opened it on the plane, I found $7,000!) “This is for your journey from Kurt and me. You have brought us so much happiness. I wish you weren’t going. I love you so much, but I know you have to find your Love.”

Behind us, there was the snap of feet as men came to attention. It was the General. It was Kurt. He came up to me, took my hand and said, “You’ve been the finest sister to me. Your journey will be completed. Last night in prayer, God spoke to me. He said, “You shall be as pure as the bride in Revelation.” I said, “Thank you. That means a lot to me.” I knew that he was speaking prophetically. How quickly Kurt had progressed. He had received the Holy Ghost with Marty only a week ago. Coming to Manila had certainly been worth it. God had changed my sister and my brother-in-law and my niece, Sara. The Father has perfected me more by his Spirit. I am refreshed and desire that pureness of his Bride.

I will be one with him. My Love.

On the plane, as I looked down on Manila, I thought of what God had done with my family and I fondly recalled my accidental meeting with the Captain. What a fine gentleman. I hope he finds happiness and love.

The Journey Continues in Part 5