Chapter 18 - Page 271 - Pirate Ship

   The sky grew dim. Not a sound could be heard. The waves on the ocean became as calm as water in a bottle. A soft blue glow formed over Jim, Rhasha, and Shanha and pulled them together. All three sharks bumped into the soft blue glow, but couldn't penetrate it.

   Instantly, Jim, Rhasha, and Shanha found themselves lying on the deck of the sea cruiser. The soft blue glow continued to hug them. Jim looked up to heaven and saw four angels at the four corners of a window. Inside the window was a bright glow, and Jim could see what looked like a throne room.

   A loud voice boomed in Jim's head, as if amplified through speakers, "Jim, we need you back in Africa."

   Jim lost what strength he had left, but he managed to speak. "Sir," he said, "are you a messenger?"

   "I am a messenger."

   "Sir," Jim asked, "could you tell me why I'm needed in Africa?"

   "Jim," the messenger said, "you will see a vision on the plane ride back to Africa. Everything will be explained to you then."

   The voice fell silent and the window into heaven closed.

   They heard the humming sound rise, pulsate, then fall. The blue glow disappeared and the waves rolled across the ocean again. The wind began to blow, and water slapped against the sides of the boat.

   The clouds rolled from east to west across the sky, then rushed back to the east. They could see lightning flash and heard thunder. Then the skies cleared and the sunshine burst through.

   As they continued to look toward heaven, Jim, Rhasha, and Shanha slowly pulled themselves off the deck and stood up. They all looked at each other. Jim's arm wasn't bleeding anymore, and there was no sign of a cut.

   Shanha looked dazed, but she was the first to speak. "Papa," she said, "I don't want to be a pirate anymore."

   "I don't either," Rhasha agreed.

   Jim hugged both his girls and smiled. "That's good," he said, "because you're both angels."