Chapter 20 - Page 286 - Shanha's Faith

   At two o'clock, Jim pulled into his two-car garage. When they entered the apartment, he discovered Jackie and Simbatu were gone. Jim thought something might be wrong-they hadn't answered the phone and the apartment didn't appear to be used much.

   He picked up the phone and called the police station. When a Sargent Snider answered the phone, Jim asked if he had any information about Jackie and Simbatu's whereabouts. Sargeant Snider put Jim on hold and checked his records. A moment later the sergeant told Jim there was nothing in their files about Jackie Short or Simbatu Hilundas. Jim thanked him and hung up the phone.

   He decided to check Jackie and Simbatu's rooms for any evidence that might help locate his friends. Everything was as it should be in Jackie's room. He walked across the hall to Simbatu's room and found it clean, except for a shirt lying on the bed and the apartment key lying on the night stand. His wallet and passport were in the shirt pocket.

   Jim was really worried now. Jackie and Simbatu had no way to get back into the apartment and Simbatu was without any identification. Rhasha was worried too. As far as Shanha was concerned, God would fix everything. Jim and Rhasha knew God took care of all their problems, but they weren't sure he always would, so they continued to worry.

   Jim called several hospitals, but nobody had any knowledge of Jackie or Simbatu. He talked to neighbors, but nobody had even known Jackie and Simbatu were staying in Jim's apartment. They searched for two hours, driving up and down every street and alley in the area. Jim checked with local restaurants and grocery stores. No one had seen Jackie or Simbatu.

   Rhasha knew Dallas was a big city. Fearing she might never see Jackie and Simbatu again, she started to cry. Tears ran down her cheeks.

   Shanha couldn't understand what all the fuss was about. "Papa," she said, "why don't you just ask God where they are?"