BW’s Adventures (3)

BW and RJ’s trip to Israel via Banbury Library

BW and RJ talked a lot on the way home. RJ wondered if mummy, daddy Roxy and she could go to South America via the library. BW saying he always enjoyed the adventures but always liked to come home.

I pointed out to RJ that BW would have to go with her as he seemed to be the only one the alcove opens to. RJ gave an exasperated sigh in response.

I asked them both if they had someone they would really like to meet. BWs list seemed to all be characters from books or films he had seen. All of them seemed to frighten RJ just a little. RJ went through a list of pop stars and ballerinas none of whom BW or I had ever heard of.

This discussion continued, apart from a brief excursion into ‘Peoples Park’ to have a go on the swings, till we got home. I enjoyed people’s park, except the swings. There, I always seem to be the one providing the pushes, despite the fact that both of them can gain their own momentum.

The next week we met up again and they asked me who I would like to meet. I explained that most of the people I would really like to meet I had already met.

RJ exclaimed ‘Even Jesus!’

‘Even Jesus.’ I replied.

BW and R J went upstairs to the lounge to play with bricks. After what sounded like a very short time they came back down and asked to go to the library. I checked with Chris who informed all three of us that that would be fine but that we were to have no dangerous adventures.

BW checked his pockets, he had on his cargo shorts and a tee shirt. ‘Bricks and sonic screwdriver?’ I asked.

‘Yes.’ He responded.

After saying good bye to Chris we set off for the library. This time, for a change and to avoid the swings, we went via Castle Street. Through the market square, up Butchers Row, over the crossing opposite Tescos and round to the library. Through the tall red doors, past security and into the library proper. Off they shot and by the time I got into the children’s area they had disappeared. I decided there was nothing I could do so off I went to find some newspapers to read. I settled down to read thinking I would check on them every five minutes or so.

After reading both the Guardian and the Telegraph and been back to the children’s area five times I was getting a tad worried. Still nothing I could do now. Stay calm and let the thoughts fly through my head and not hold onto any of them. I decided to have a read of the RAF News. I had been in the RAF in the late sixties and early seventies. It seemed full of interesting articles none which I can recollect! I once again made my way to the children’s area and as I approached the corner there they were sat cross legged on the floor fast asleep.

I woke them by gently touching their shoulders. They seemed to jump awake. They looked at each other and with faces which were radiating peace they smiled at me.

‘Why were you two so long?’ I asked them both.

‘There were so many in front of us.’ Replied RJ.

‘So many what?’ I asked.

‘Children granddad. Are we going to McDonalds?’ BW asked.

‘I’ll phone grandma and ask if she has anything planned for us.’ I answered.

Grandma told me that she thought we would end up there. So off we trooped. Out of the children’s area, through the entrance area and out of the big red doors. We turned right along Marlborough Road, around the corner, over the crossing at Tescos. Along the pedestrian street to McDs.

RJ and BW held hands and kind of walked and skipped most of the way.

Two happy meals and a cheese burger later we were sat and again I asked ‘OK – so where have you two been this time?’

BW blurted out ‘I don’t know granddad.’

RJ said ‘It was Israel.’

‘How do you know?’ I asked

‘Because Jesus was there.’ Looking a little surprised that we didn’t know.

I asked BW ‘Did you see Jesus BW?’

Just as he was about to answer R J said ‘Yes he did – didn’t you BW?’

‘Yes I did.’ He said, sounding a little miffed that RJ had answered for him.

‘So’ I asked ‘do you want to tell me what happened?’

BW, determined to get in first, blurted out ‘There were lots of men and ladies and children and they were all looking at us.’

‘Why?’ I asked.

‘Because we were dressed like this and they weren’t.’ RJ said before BW could get any words out.

‘What were they wearing?’ I asked of them both.

Again RJ replied ‘Well, everything looked homemade. The women seemed young and they all seemed to have children with them. The men were dark like the women. No one was very tall. Most of the men had their heads uncovered and the children looked, well like children.’

BW, chewing a ketchup covered fry, said ‘There was a big crowd and after looking at us they all turned back to listen to the man at the front.’

‘That man was Jesus.’ RJ informed us.

‘Ah’ I said ‘and what did Jesus look like?’

‘We couldn’t see him at first because all the people were in front of us.’ said RJ.

‘Some of the older boys were trying to get everyone to go away and leave the man alone.’ BW said.

‘So what happened then?’ I asked.

BW said ‘I asked one of the older boys “what is happening?” Granddad what I said sounded nothing like what I thought I had said but the older boy …’

‘Peter.’ RJ informed us.

‘How do you know that?’ I asked.

‘Because Jesus shouted to him!’ she replied.

‘If I can continue.’ Said BW sounding very grown up. ‘When he – Peter – spoke back I understood him!’

‘Wow’ I said ‘what did he, Peter, say?’

‘It was “would you all go away ‘the Master’ needs to rest.’

‘Was it like that for you as well RJ?’ I asked.

‘It was, it was amazing, it was so strange.’ She said.

‘So, what happened then?’ I asked.

‘Jesus spoke to the young men. He said “it’s OK I want to bless all these children.” We were at the back of the group. I thought they should have gotten into a queue but they didn’t seem to understand what I meant.’

‘No’ I replied ‘queueing seems such a British thing to do.’

‘The young ladies sort of stood to one side and looked really happy but the young men looked a bit miffed.’ Said BW.

R J continued ‘Jesus was seated on a rock and each child went up to him and just stood there in front of Him. He put His arms around them and sort of hugged them, then he put one of His hands on their head and spoke very softly to them.’

‘What did He say?’ I asked.

BW and RJ looked at each other and then at me and again in unison said ‘We don’t know.’

Then BW said ‘He did say to one little girl “Ears be opened.” The little girl smiled and looked to her mum and said “Mum I can hear.” Her mum put her hands in the air and started to sing her thanks to somebody named Yahweh. Then all the women joined in with her. They all seemed to know each other and were very happy for her and each other.’

‘Wow, it doesn’t mention that in the bible.’ I said.

‘Even the young men looked pleased.’ Said RJ.

‘He took a long time with each child.’ Said BW.

‘I thought he would never get to us.’ Said RJ. She continued ‘When He had finished holding each chid they moved back to their mums and then they all seemed to talk very excitedly. This was going on all around. They were all so excited.’

‘So did Jesus hold you two?’ I asked.

Together they replied ‘Yes He did.’

‘Who wants to tell me about it?’ I asked.

They looked at each other and RJ very graciously said ‘You go first BW.’

‘OK’ he said ‘Granddad when it was my turn Jesus held out His arms and I walked into them. Then He hugged me like you do but I didn’t feel I wanted Him to stop.’

‘Did Jesus say anything to you BW?’ I eagerly asked.

‘Yes He did.’ BW replied.

‘What did He say?!’ I asked even more eagerly.

‘Well he called me by my name. How did He know I am called BW? Anyway He then told me He knows me and He loves me. Then He told me He would always be with me and as I got older I would know Him more and more. He said that I would do amazing things in my life, that I would have some hardships but that I should always remember that I am loved. Then he looked into my eyes and I looked into His and it was like looking into forever.’

‘How do you feel about that?’ I asked.

‘I feel very happy and very pleased but how does he know me?’ BW said this not really sounding as if he was expecting an answer.

RJ jumped in with ‘It was great. Like BW said when he hugged me I didn’t want it to stop. It was even better than a hug from mummy or daddy. Then he spoke my name very slowly. Then he told me that He was watching me and always rejoicing over me. That I am and would be a powerful servant of His to His people. He said he really enjoys my singing and dancing and to do those things for Him as long as I could wherever I was or however I felt. It was great.’

‘It sounds as if you both had a very good time with Jesus?’ I said.

‘I think we both did.’ Replied a quiet and reflective sounding RJ.

‘So what did He, Jesus, look like?’ I asked, trying to suppress my excitement.

‘Well’ said BW ‘His face was dark like His hands but his arms were dark but a lighter dark.’

Great I thought he had a tan! So I asked ‘What colour eyes and hair did he have?’

‘Well his hair and beard were black. He was wide at the shoulders and not very tall, He was thin but muscular, He was strong but gentle.’ BW replied.

RJ chirped in ‘You know the picture you showed me, the one painted by Aka … something?’

‘Yes, the one by Akiane Kramarik?’ I replied.

‘That’s the one, well Jesus looked like that but darker like mum and dad.’ She said. (RJ’s mum and dad are from South Amarica.)

‘Mmmm, so what do you remember most about Him?’ I asked.

They said together ‘His eyes.’

‘Why His eyes?’ I asked.

R J said ‘Because they looked like love, when He looked at me I knew He loved me and that He knew me.’

‘Wow, some experience then?’ I replied ‘What about you BW?’

BW thought for a moment, then he said ‘His eyes were full of kindness and He knew my name. He knew me.’

‘That’s fantastic,’ I said ‘what happened then?’

‘RJ and I stood watching and it looked like Jesus and the older boys and some of the ladies were going to move away. As they were leaving the village Jesus turned back to us and said ‘I think it’s time for you two to return to your home, your grandad is beginning to worry. Grandad how does He know all these things?’

RJ said ‘Jesus is the son of God and knows everything. Were you worried?’

‘Mmmm just a tad.’ I owned up.

BW went on to explain ‘When everyone had moved away we walked to a bit between two houses.’

‘An alley.’ RJ informed him.

‘Or a ginnal.’ Said I.

‘Anyway’ continued BW ‘I used my Leggo bricks to make a worm hole and used my sonic screwdriver and waved it like the other times and then you woke us.’

‘So what do you think of Jesus BW?’ I asked.

‘Well, I think He is strong and kind and seems to know everything.’ He said.

R J said ‘He is so loving and I think He is God.’

‘So someone worth getting to know then?’ I said.

‘Oh yes.’ They replied in unison,

-oo0oo-