The Vow
I graciously waited for their embrace to end… I waited, and waited, but they wouldn’t stop hugging and crying in each other’s arms.
I couldn’t wait to see the reaction in Bill’s face, the moment I was waiting for this entire trip, but they just stood there rocking gently back and forth as they held one another.
Time passed… then I thought: how can I possibly change the mind of an 83 year old man with a picture… Was this “moment” for Bill, or was it really for my sake… While pondering these things I realized yet something else: Captain Raymond sacrificed exactly the same way I did to go help this man, but he had no picture to prove any point at all. Did that make my sacrifice greater than his…
Finally, I surrendered to what I knew to be the truth; I do know my place, and indeed, I was placed here to serve this man, not because of the color of my parents skin, but because I have Emanuel’s blood flowing through my veins, and He is the servant of all… So I said nothing and began to walk away.
Bill finally kissed Rose, wiped away his and her tears, then came to me. His chin quivered as his eyes flooded once again.
“You…” He said with a profound pause, “You are my blood brother forever!…”
I smiled and said: “I AM…”
“Not to change gears on y’all, but we really need to get focused on gett’n these he’a vessels ready rabbi.” Reminded Captain as Bill and his Rose drove away.
We worked under the hot sun for several days making last minute repairs, and loading up the boats for the journey that was nearing quickly by every moment.
“We have seen your web page, and also Rabbi Peters web site, and we feel strongly that we are being led to join you in your mission to Haiti.” Came a young man’s voice over Captains phone. Sure enough, several days later, a beautiful young couple showed up and stayed several days on La Victoire, one of captain’s boats.
Loving them was easy. They were on fire for the things of G-d and ready to embrace whatever adventure He set before them. They had tried to purchase one of Captain’s vessels, but were unable to come up with the necessary funds. We all began looking to find them a vessel they could afford so they could come with us on this journey.
“Captain!” Came a voice over the Captain’s phone, a voice I had not heard before, “…I have special ops intel on a civilian vessel suitable for those kids! Have them meet me in Marathon City Marina at o nine hundred sharp this Monday. Gotta go, this line might be tapped… Out!”
The intrigued look on my face must have said it all… “Oh Rabbi…” explained the Captain, “That’s Rambo Ray. I’ll have to tell you about him some other time.”
To be continued