Resolutions and Revelations: It was out of my hands

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...