I was laying in bed the night before we would leave to go on
vacation. You know how it is before you go on a trip – your mind is racing,
thinking of things you need to do. Did you pack everything, are you forgetting
anything, don’t forget to turn off the coffee pot, etc.
It was going to be just Miá and I on our own on our flights
because CJ and Zoë had flown out the week before to go to youth summer camp. I
was a little nervous knowing I would have to go through immigration, customs
and just the whole process without CJ, but I reminded myself that Father was
with me and everything would be ok.
It was with these thoughts that I began thinking about some
girls I had recently met who worked at a shop near where we live. At the time I
met them, they had been reading a book about Buddha. Because my language
abilities are so limited, I hadn’t been sure exactly what to say to them,
except to say that I was a Christian and I believed in J.C.
As I was lying in bed that night kinda half-praying/half-thinking, I realized that I should’ve taken those girls one of the tracts we
have in their language. It’s more than a tract actually. It’s a small book that
explains salvation and the sacrifice that J.C. made for all people. It’s
explains how we attain a relationship with Him and what happens after death for
those who believe. It dawned on me that
I could take this book to those girls, and at that moment, I promised Father
that I would do that as soon as we returned from vacation. After all, Miá and I
were leaving very early the next morning and there would be no time to take
them the book before we left. Right?
Miá and I were so excited the next morning, not just to go
on vacation, but also to see CJ and Zoë. We missed them so much over the last
few days while they were gone.
Our ride picked us up and we arrived at the airport to find
short lines and smooth sailing. That is, until we reached the immigration
office.
Let me make a very long story short by saying, the
immigration officer decided I should have to go downtown to the headquarters to
get approval to leave the country and his mind could not and would not be
changed. (This was a Sunday and the downtown office was closed til the next day, of course.)
Distraught is an understatement compared to what I was
feeling when I realized Miá and I would not be flying out that day. Not to
mention that I didn’t know where to go downtown or what I would need to do once
there. How would I communicate with the people who worked in that office and
how much is this all going to cost me?
Walking back in the door to our apartment after being denied
departure that day was devastating. I wanted to just sit down in the middle of
the floor and cry, but I tried to put on a brave face for Miá. I didn’t want to
upset her anymore, but I felt lost and helpless and alone – it was horrible. I
didn’t know what to do except cry out to Father.
I wasn’t expecting His answer…
“Take those girls the Book,” He said.
“Huh? No, Sir, I was asking what should I do about this
situation I’m in?”
“Yes, I know,” came another reply. “Take those girls that
Book and I’ll take care of your situation.”
“You HAVE GOT to be KIDDING ME!” I may have even said those
words out loud. “Really?!?”
Now, I don’t know if Father allowed Miá and I not to be able
to fly out that day so that I would go talk to those girls about Him, but He
sure did turn a bad situation into something worthwhile. And honestly, I wasn’t
very happy about the Romans 8:28 verse that kept playing in my head at that
moment.
But I acquiesced.
“If this is what you want, then I’ll do it,” I thought.
And I did.
After much practice and word for word memorization of what I
needed to say, I searched out those girls and gave them the Book. Miraculously
I was even able to share with them my short testimony in their language.
And just like He promised, Father worked out my immigration
problems. A relative of a co-worker of a friend of a friend showed up at the
office downtown the next day to walk me through every step of a long process.
All I can say is it was absolutely divine intervention that
he came and took care of everything – every piece of paperwork, every phone
call, every discussion that was required to allow Miá and I to go. This man was
an angel in disguise who showed up completely out of the blue because without
him, I would never have been able to accomplish what he did.
Miá and I were even able to make the last flight out of our
city that night. Unfortunately, our connecting flight was late so the two of us
had to spend an unexpected night in Bangkok, but we eventually made it to our
final destination and into the arms of loved ones.
And, let me tell ya, our vacation was SWEET!
We soaked up every single minute with love and laughter and
togetherness. It was great!
Most importantly, we returned to our home city refreshed and
with a new vigor for the work He has called us to do.
On a sidenote: one of the girls that I took a Book to that
day when we were held up is no longer working at that store. I discovered when
we returned that she was gone and I will likely never see her again. If I had
waited to take her that Book after we got back, she would not have gotten it.
I’m so thankful now that I had that opportunity to share. His ways ARE perfect!
Here's a few snapshots from our vacation in the beautiful mountains of Northern Thailand...
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| On our drive through the mountains, we frequently stopped to enjoy the view. |
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| Miá's favorite hangout spot! |
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| We rode bareback. |
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| How did they get a comfy seat? |
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| One of the bathrooms at the cottage where we stayed. :) |
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| Climbing, hiking & trekking were some of our favorite activities. |
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| Rafting on a few pieces of bamboo tied together with rope. |
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| We'll definitely come back to this place! |
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| Always time to stop and chat with the locals, especially such sweet kids! |
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| Zipline in the trees! |
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| Several boxes of goodies were waiting on us at the post office in Bangkok before heading home. :) |
