February 2025

January 23rd - so here I am. Safely arrived at the great age of 94, and yes it really was my best birthday ever, and here I am in my lovely writing jacket, a belated gift from a night carer, and the gift of a quiet hour on my computer before my ‘Magic Margaret’ arrives to hopefully help me to walk safely for a coffee by the sea, and bringing with her my last minute requests for shopping.

Micha with his beautiful Liz  is now our assistant pastor, has  taken over now as my blog publisher and sorter out for a 94 year out with a not so good forgettery and he had printed out for me the loving greetings of many of my friends who had been family to me all those years ago in New Guinea as well as the precious new friends I am still finding joining our journey, in Grace church as well as this lovely Care Home.

But I have another family waiting in the wings, so time for us to travel now to the seashore of Joppa.

CHAPTER 2

Judith found she had a full-time job in steering her mother from falling into the slough of despair that surrounded her but having met some women who understood their language she felt free to leave her mother sitting, she couldn’t say chatting happily with them, but at least finding comfort in being able to share their griefs.

But Judith now found herself listening to a different story, - unbelievable, and yes, wonderful, - but yet, yes, so unbelievable that somehow, they could not but believe.

At last, she remembered her poor mother and hurried back to search for her.

They were living now in Joppa with her mother’s brother. He, a fisherman making a comfortable living there, but now all the talk is of a man, Jonah by name who it seems was seeking to get to some distant shore but instead of getting far away, had found himself brought back, rescued it seemed by some mighty fish.

The story was to be repeated over and over again, and though people pronounced it unbelievable, and impossible to believe yet somehow the terrible colour of his skin was evidence that he had indeed been in the belly of some great monster was testimony that he had indeed been swallowed for a considerable time and was willing to affirm his story.

‘Oh indeed,’ her mother affirmed.  ‘Your father knew him as a man of God. His word is not to be doubted. Indeed, I will take you myself to visit him, but I have other news to tell you and I am sure you will find this even more wonderful. Come, take me home and let me prepare our meal before I tell you, for it is news of your brother.’

Of course, neither of them could wait for a meal before they could share the wonderful news that a red-headed lad who could well be Judith’s twin had been sighted within the terrible city of Nineveh. Oh, was there indeed hope? Oh Lord! May it indeed be so?