The reality.... My dad usually always watched news channels to keep us updated on the current issues. Since the Adventist schools were closed due to the unsettled conflict in the government, my siblings and I stayed at home and do whatever in-door activities we would find interesting. Most days are full of boredomness. However, one evening, the news caught my attention. The headline stated, "The Final Decision". Successfully, I automatically guessed what it's all about. All this time, it has been the most obvious to most of us; the government has decided to unite with the Catholic Church (Rome). This means all Protestant churches have made the same decision as well. All of them must have contributed, or else, some would be in the same situation as us. Although, I highly doubt it. I still can't absorb into the reality. I should be happy that Jesus is coming, if not, very soon. Instead, I felt like its a nightmare that now we have to run and hide from these people who fell for the deceptions of Satan.
My gentle mother came into the living room from the kitchen. I must've dropped something out of shock because the glass I was holding earlier lie in pieces on the floor. As she help me clean the mess, my father walked in with my younger sister and my older brother. We gathered in silence. This can either be good news or bad news. I'm hoping it's both. My father began to talk with a stern expression. I worried if my family's delighted faces will ever return during our life in this world. It's all over the news that the oppurtunity to join and become one of them will be limited. Everyday we spend refusing and hiding instead of giving in, our chances will slowly ceased. Our (my family and fellow church members) final decision was simple, yet complicated. Before the government give any final notification, we only have one choice — to escape. I don't know where, when, or how. One thing I'm sure, we won't surrender our ways of life to live like them.
My father reported that staying in the city would not be the safest location to be discovered in. Unsurprisingly, keeping the Sabbath became difficult because of the rule that we must work an extra day. If this goes on, my father is right; it won't be safe here. Without discussing, we packed our valuables to leave the city and head towards the countryside. Doing this involved abandoning our houses, belongings, the comfort of being home, and the memories. Along with several of our church members, we will be staying at the farms owned by our acquantainces for a while. At least, we will get to worship on the Sabbath there.
Finally, the door of opputunity to join the world closes, and the terror has begun. We're still stuck at the farms. Now, we have to run further into the wilderness. Everyday, the government and people are killing thousands and thousands of people in the cities who either didn't have the advantage to escape, or people who decided to risk their life for what they believe in. Courageous, I thought of them. If so, does running away from them means we are coward? We can't be. I will not be deceived to think that way. No, we are not coward. Even when we know we would be easily spotted with all the highly built technology, our determination won't deteriorate. Not even a little. Our faith in God is strong. The prophecy is here. It is happening. Through all these craziness of the world, we want to consider ourselves as the chosen ones. We, the remnants, hope that God will protect us. He is not going to forsake us.
I was too shocked about the events occured for the past few days and weeks that when I'm awake, I'm starting to feel the pain of losing the people I loved, realizing where I am, and our state of poor living in the wilderness. I want to ask God why it is so hard sometimes. I know I shouldn't be discouraged. I am strong with God. I will remain that way. With the prayers of my family, and with the love of God, I am getting emotionally, physically, and mentally better. The Words of God and the faith that my family and I shared are the things that motivated us to keep moving on. My only remaining goal and purpose of this life is to be with Jesus in heaven. It doesn't matter how much it would cost us. We're yearning for it. We are waiting desperately, and patiently for Him. Together.
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