Hadassah's Watchman Trilogy - Evangheline Farcas (pdf e book reader TXT) 📗

stake, even now.
So now, looking out the window as the ancient yet modern city rushed by, I prayed, for though once Damon had been as any older brother my guardian and keeper in so many ways, I felt the tide change, where now I was indeed my brother’s keeper.


CHAPTER FOURTEEN


“Remember those in chains as if you are bound with them.”--- Richard Wurmbrand


Galatians 2: 20 I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.


Entering the Jilava Penitentiary proved to be more difficult especially when we made it known we were visiting Ionatan, the much hated so called revolutionary.
“We have been instructed that no one is to see this prisoner,” a security officer stated with much stubbornness but also contempt, “That means no one, no matter who you think yourselves to be.” he finished intending that this should be the end of the discussion.
“We are not just anybody, we have expressed permission from the prime minister that Hadassah can and should see this prisoner.” I stated, with just as much determination.
“The Prime Minister?” scoffed the officer. “It is orders such as these that will one day land that hypocrite here, and hopefully soon.”
Chills spiraled their way through my entire body, for it seemed this country’s foundations that in years past had been rebuilt were crumbling once more, it was mind boggling to even think of.
“Even so, Officer Lucian, you must understand that much is at stake, Romania’s treaty with Sweden as a matter of fact, and if I am not mistaken this country though rich in beauty is not so rich in finances that it can afford that.” said Hadassah surprising even me with her firm boldness. Once more I realized how much she had developed and grown, she was no longer an orphan afraid of her own shadows, in fact her fearlessness not only amazed me but scared me as well.
“Politics is not my place, what I know are my strict orders, and I will not risk my position.” stated Lucian.
Damon just stood behind us observing, and I thought how great it would be if he could use his gift of persuasion to help in this situation, yet he stood ever silent, perhaps praying for his head was bowed.
We did not budge.
“Before you make this rash decision which would cost you the very job you seek to keep, be so kind as to read our signed permission both from the Prime Minister and the King and Queen of Sweden.” Hadassah said as she took out the sealed documents and placed them right under officer Lucian’s nose.
In a slow reluctant manner he took them and made a show of reading them, but the confidence in his eyes and the contempt faltered then shattered as he realized he was outranked thoroughly and completely especially when he met the challenging eyes of Hadassah’s ever faithful guards.
“Very well, follow me.”
So we did, but not the way we expected.
Jilava was an old prison but had a renovated section that was in use in the present time, and also it had a more ancient dilapidated section which had been used from when communism had taken hold of the country until it fell, after which that portion served as more of a grim museum and reminder of the dark times of Romania. The path officer Lucian took was not towards the new section but towards the old.
The penitentiary had been originally a fort, Fort 13 Jilava to be more precise, part of the defense system of Buchurest since the early 1890’s, then it had been transformed into the gruesome penitentiary in 1948. As we walked we could see the arched entrences and observation towers at watched armed guards oversaw the facility. We made our way through the underground area through what looked like tunnels that gave the feeling of being buried alive, the dampness, darkness and chill of the place made me want to run almost, yet I remembered so many who had perished in this very place, for it had been as much an extermination place for Christians and rebels against the government as the concentration camps of Hitler.
As we neared the cells we could hear moans echo, it was unbelievable that once more death was being born again here. The walls still bore the black paint that it had long ago, or perhaps it was repainted to kill what little hope these new prisoners might have held on to. Finally we reached what looked like countless iron bars that were filled with rust and dirt, for nothing had been done to improve this section. There were hands of many thinning people holding on to those bars as if for dear life, their eyes displayed a portrait of dying hope.
“Aici, here we are.” said the officer stopping abruptly. “You have ten minutes no more.” he said, unmoving.
“We will speak to the prisoner alone.” Hadassah said, her tone was not to be argued with for it held authority and it was not posed as a question.
Flabbergasted, officer Lucian obeyed and left the area.
Damon stood with arms crossed looking uncomfortable, but who could blame him, so was I.
Hadassah stepped forward closer to the bars and peered into the cell that was filled with people to it’s capacity and beyond, tears threatened to spill in her eyes, but she took a deep breath and spoke, “Ionatan? Ionatan Anton, are you in here?”
The moans from the thick crowd in the cell began to subside, all that was left to be heard was a sweet hum of a distant melody from the corner of the cell, and soon that also became silent as Ionatan realized he was summoned and he rose, his eyes showing only a little fear, but so much more boldness. It seemed that could not be taken from him.
“Da? Yes?” he limped toward the bars, then gingerly placed his hands below Hadassah’s and studied her as if she were some type of angel. His own brown hair was shiny from the lack of a good shower, his face was filled with dust, yet his chestnut colored yes still were filled with a zest and passion that could not be extinguished.
“Who are you?” he asked.
Smiling in her gentle manner Hadassah replied, “I’m Hadassah, this is Raphael and Damon,” she indicated towards us, “and we have come to tell you we know you are here, to tell you to be of good cheer even now, and also to know that we will do all we can to get you out.”
Sneers were the response from some of the other prisoners yet others eagerly listened.
Ionatan gave a weak smile, “It is when I am weak that I am strong for His grace is sufficient for me, but thank you Hadassah, your face is like that of an angel to me.”
Somehow I saw her eyes and his meet and I could see how his words affected her, compliments were not much to her, yet Ionatan’s words were full of sincerity, not only empty useless flattery.
“Tell us, how you are holding up, is there a message you would like to impart to those on the outside?” she asked.
Moments passed before he replied.
“Believe it or not, I count it a blessing to be here, it’s where I am needed.” Oddly enough as he said it there were no sneers from his fellow inmates, but only nods of agreement.
“As for a message, yes, one message to Lazar, tell him that I bear no hard feelings, and if he harbors guilt then he need not, for all is forgiven. Also for those who hide in fear, who I will not name for they must make their own choice to stand, remind them that He has not given us a spirit of fear but of one that cries `Aba, Father’” he said as many eyes looked upon him in wonder.
His message was clear, and I prayed in that moment that it would always be so, in fact the need for intercession intensified so much that it became unbearable. I reached out to him and touched him, praying in a hushed whisper over him and I saw the angels descend forming a protective hedge around him, in this dark corner, light overwhelmed me. If only he could see, I thought.
“Oh but child, blessed are those who do not see, yet still believe.” whispered the same loving voice I had heard before.
“Remember Paul and Silas, our dear Ionatan, do what they did, and who knows perhaps these iron bars will not withhold you.” I said as I met his eyes.
He nodded, “Do you no Raphael, that it is in this very cell that Richard Wurmbrand was imprisoned, it was from this cell that he loved the ones who kept him here, never once cursing them? Oh it’s an honor to be here, it’s not so bad.” He said bravely.
What could be said to words such as these, the words themselves seemed holy, as even the angels bowed their heads, then looked up towards heaven as if to ask ‘How long until you avenge the blood of the innocent oh Lord?’ This was a question that had been repeated through the ages, yet the Lord Himself was merciful even to those who did not seek mercy.
“Even so, we will petition for your release.” I informed him, hoping that would give him strength through the days to come.
Each of us grasped his hand in parting, the last of which was Damon, at who’s touch Ionatan shivered. Ionatan returned to the corner of the cell he had occupied, his head already bowed in prayer, and a new hymn gave birth from his lips.
As we turned to leave, one hand reached out from the cell, touching my shoulder at which I stopped to face an older man with wizened eyes.
“You know, he gives us his portion of food, he even holds the sick among us not afraid of dying himself, we do need him here.” said the man, “But get him out, such as he belongs out there not here, I am convinced this man has done nothing wrong.”
I just nodded and assured him all would be done for each of them, but more could be done with persistent prayer. The man nodded and gave a weak smile. “Go with your God, and may I find Him too.” He said.
Officer Luican was waiting rather impatiently at the end of the tunnel smirking for reasons unknown, or perhaps because he knew no other facial expression.
“Do not expect another visit like this, for it will not happen.” He assured us.
We exited the jail, with heavy burdens in our hearts.
“Where to now, brother?” asked Damon.
“Now we meet with Seraph, and he will tell you where you are needed and also our next step.” I stated as we stepped into the black Dacia.
“I’m needed?” he asked with a tinge of surprise.
I was puzzled by his reply, of course he was needed, he was a watchman, a very important one at that, and close to the Creator’s heart,