How do you restart a blog in the middle of a trip? This is day 10 of our journey across the
country, seeking to share the vision of what God is doing in the
Philippines with those who might be willing to participate. This past
week we took a little break from this adventure, spending some time
with our son and his wife here in Lynchburg, Virginia.
Our
first leg of the journey actually had us in Carlsbad, reconnecting
with our churches and friends there. They sent us out again, renewed
in fellowship, and trusting in the Lord to ultimately heal us so that
we can continue the journey.
Our
second leg of the journey took us through much snow and ice, where we
remained cold for 3 days at the Missionary Training Center in
Camdenton. We were able to share with the students there about how
the Lord desires a deep relationship with us, and it is only by this
that we can make disciples in another country, in another language.
How many there are who head out, desiring to follow God with their
lives, and they end up placing their security in the ministry they
are doing instead of the one who gave it to them. I am so thankful
the Lord has led us to where we are now, and forgiven me for the
times I have tried to do things in my own strength.
After
Missouri, we headed out to Lynchburg, Virginia, stopping once
overnight on the highway. The weather has started to warm up, which
we are thankful for, because if we were trying to do this with the
roads covered in snow and ice, it would be very dangerous.
Our
week in Lynchburg was great, as we were able to spend good time with
our kids here. They are happily enjoying married life as a young
couple, and it was great to just be with them. We also had wonderful
fellowship with the Christian lady who ran the bed & breakfast
where we stayed – House of Lydia. All of these things are part of
the big picture of what God is doing as He goes before us. We were
able to share with people everywhere we go about the work that God is
doing in the Philippines.
Now
after a few days in Lynchburg, which was mostly focused on personal
time with our son and his wife, we are heading further North, to
arrive in New York tomorrow. Thankfully, the Lord alerted me to a
problem in the cooling system of our truck we are borrowing yesterday
afternoon, just before we were supposed to leave. There was a cracked
t-joint, which caused all the coolant to leak out and the engine to
overheat. I went to 2 different auto parts stores to find a
replacement part, but they were out in both places and sent me to the
dealer. They had a replacement part at the dealer, but it was not
exactly the same as the one that cracked. The connections on the
replacement t-joint were slightly bigger than the one that cracked,
so the hose would not connect to the new t-joint. Or at least, I
wasn't strong enough to push the hose on. Fortunately, one of the
strong mechanics was there and was able to force the hose onto the
t-joint so that I could install it and get the system back up and
running. It took several hours, but we finally got it going.
I
am so glad all that happened before we left, and not while we were on
the highway! I was reminded of the Lord's faithfulness in going
before us, and that I can have confidence in His provision for us as
we go along the way. This is the sort of thing that He does – gives
us little reasons to trust Him, so that when the big thing happens,
we are prepared and ready.
