Isaiah 26:3 Lord, you will give perfect peace to those who commit themselves to be faithful to you. That’s because they trust in you.
Most missionaries on deputation have all kinds of stories, and we are no exception. But the last few weeks have given us so much story material that we think we should share it.
THE SAGA OF THE RENTAL CARS: It all started when we reserved a vehicle through a service some people refer to as “Air B and B for vehicles.” When we collected the vehicle, the owner refused to furnish the registration papers or the insurance papers. Later we realized he also had a tracker attached to the vehicle. We returned that vehicle and canceled the contract, fearing that we might inadvertently be carrying drugs! Then we rented from one of the major car rental firms, thinking that surely they would handle things well….Well, the jury is still out.
Our first vehicle pooped out on us after 24 days, stranding us in Logansport, Indiana. We managed to coax the car as far as a parking lot next to a Catholic church, called the road service, and then sat for 4 hours. The owner of the towing service proved to be a Christian who gave us a ride to the Indianapolis airport. We arrived at the airport around 10:30 PM, and collected a Toyota Camry with New Mexico license plates. Remember those license plates; they are very important. We succeeded in getting out of Indianapolis and up the interstate to Anderson, Indiana, where we stayed overnight, going on to the Cleveland area and then to friends near Medina, New York. This morning, the Holy Spirit nudged me to look at the insurance and registration. That’s when I was shocked to realize that WE WERE DRIVING A VEHICLE REGISTERED IN NEW MEXICO WHOSE REGISTRATION WOULD EXPIRE IN 8 DAYS!!!
We ran to one of the offices of the rental company, only to be told that A) We needed a replacement vehicle and B) There were no replacements to be had anywhere in the vicinity, not even at the Buffalo airport. We were informed that our best option was to go to the Buffalo Airport EARLY on Monday morning, clutching the keys so nobody could collect the vehicle, and then request a replacement vehicle. So this saga is still to be continued.
THE SAGA OF THE REPLACEMENT GLASSES Bob lost a pair of reading glasses during the trip; however, he really needed replacement reading and driving glasses. The reading glasses came quickly; however, the driving glasses delayed, one pair only arriving after nearly four weeks and the second pair only arriving at the eye clinic in Mississippi this morning. BUT we are not in Mississippi anymore; we are in western New York. A good friend is collecting the glasses and sending them to us. But wait, there’s more!
THE SAGA OF THE CREDIT CARDS One set of credit cards got lost, so we applied for replacements. The replacements delayed so long that by the time they finally arrived, the bank cancelled those numbers, requesting new ones to be expedited. But in the meantime, we were carrying the first set of replacement cards….which, as we have learned today, are useless. The valid set of cards will hopefully come very soon.
BOOKING SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS Veteran missionaries know you should try to book speaking engagements months ahead because churches and other groups are so busy these days. We tried; we really did. While we were able to work things out for the Middle West, western New York is a whole different story. We have spoken to one church group in an impromptu meeting; however, we are drawing blanks otherwise. What does this mean?
One of the favorite sayings of a late pastor friend is that God is in Management and we are only in Advertising. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that ““My thoughts are not like your thoughts. And your ways are not like my ways,” announces the Lord. “The heavens are higher than the earth. And my ways are higher than your ways. My thoughts are higher than your thoughts.
One of the favorite trotro slogans reads “God’s time is the best.” We have concluded that God wants us to meet new groups and new people. We know approximately when we must return to the Middle West; however, we are remaining flexible as far as speaking is concerned.
Throughout all of these maneuverings, we must trust that God has called us, God is our Provider, and God knows exactly what we need and when we need it. Our job is to be effective at advertising Him while He manages our movements.
Perhaps you too feel that you have been caught in sagas not of your own creation. You long for peace, somehow and somewhere. The point is that God can give you peace, even when things are falling apart. When schedules appear to fail and appointments are not forthcoming, remember that God is infinitely capable and that He is always doing far more than we can possibly ask or think.
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and caring for us. Lord, we praise You that no mess is too complicated for You to sort out. You are the One who guides and provides and You are the One who creates divine appointments. Help us to trust where we cannot see. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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