Living Stones by Lloyd Johnson Read Free Book Online

and nodded. “But I’ve decided to put that aside here in America.”
    “If I told you that our church supports Israel one hundred percent in the current conflict, what would you think?”
    Najid stared silently out the window as they both started eating. He began slowly. “That is a choice people make. I hope your church is well informed with the facts. Sometimes I see tour groups of Americans in Israel visiting the historical sites where Jesus lived and worked. Most of these shrines have beautiful stone churches, but tourists don’t connect with the people who live there. They get back on their bus and go to their hotel. I think of how Peter once called Jesus’s followers ‘living stones.’ The tourists see the dead stones in many shrines in Israel but don’t meet the living ones.”
    “A lot of Americans tour the Holy Land,” Ashley said. “You mean they never get to hear the experiences of people who have actually lived there for a long time?”
    “I think so, but I’m not sure. You’d have to go yourself to determine that.”
    “I’d love to. You make me want to go there.”
    “Ashley, you would be most welcome to stay as a guest in my family home.”
    She remembered Najid’s mentioning their small house and understood the generosity of the offer. Ashley smiled and nodded. “Thank you. Maybe someday. But right now, I want to know more of what the Jewish people think. How do they feel about the generous support Israel gets from people in some of our American churches?”
    “So that is why you want to go to the synagogue?”
    “Yes, but also just to learn more about them. I’ve never been to one.”
    “I would be glad to go with you sometime. I could translate the Hebrew for you so you could understand the rabbi.”
    “Oh, Najid, that would be awesome! There is a synagogue not too far from the U-district, and we could meet there. Maybe on a late Friday afternoon just before their Sabbath, toward sundown. I looked it up on the Internet, and this particular one has their Kabbalat Shabbat at six p.m.”
    He pulled out his smartphone and studied it for a moment. “Next week I think would be fine.”
    “Great, let’s plan on that unless your schedule changes. I’ll confirm with you on the day before and text you the address if we don’t meet in the lab. We can get together in front of the synagogue at five-thirty on Friday, that’s the second Friday in May. You better show up now that you promised.” Ashley chuckled, raising her eyebrows, eyes dancing. “You know that ninety percent of life is just showing up!”
    “Really?”
    “Could be true, Najid,” Ashley said with a wink. “At least Will Rogers from Oklahoma thought so.”

    Ashley left the freshman zoology lab at ten-thirty for a coffee break in the grad student lounge. She found Najid huddled in deep conversation with Ethan over his cup of tea. He looked up and grinned.
    “Did you get my text message about the address?” she asked.
    “I did, Ashley. I’m looking forward to it. That’s today, right?
    “You got it. I’ll plan to meet you in front of the building at five-thirty so we can talk a bit about what to expect before we go in.”
    “OK.” Najid seemed to enjoy talking like an American. He resumed his conversation while Ashley turned to get her coffee.

Chapter 11
    The plan flowed without a ripple. No one appeared as Robert, heart pounding in his chest, walked in the front door of the synagogue toward the right-side corner at the front of the building. He found the vestibule empty, decorated in muted tones, lighted by several stained-glass windows, and brightened by a menorah holding seven scented candles on a nearby table. Very quiet, the space had a pleasant smell. He strolled toward a large bookcase filled with books along the front wall and stood between it and the side wall in the corner, well hidden. Easing out of his backpack, he put it down gingerly. Hands shaking, he adjusted the timer for five-thirty p.m. and