Although this happened some years ago, while I was on a mission trip to Africa, I feel its important I share it with you. This is a true story about how God’s ways are not our ways, and God’s thoughts are not our thoughts.  Although as believer we are filled with God’s Spirit, we are also fallen creatures, and as such we are often caught up in our own plans, not looking for or sensitive to what God wants to do though us.  Rather than “walking in the Spirit”, we often are “walking in the flesh” – intent on getting to a certain place, at a certain time, and doing such and such activities.

Sometimes God just has to “put the brakes on”, so to speak, to stop us in our tracks and cause us to look around, and to think – what does God want to do through me, on this day, in this hour?

July 26^th, Wed, 2017 – Northern Uganda, Africa. On our way back to base camp, we passed through several more road-side markets, and then just as we had gone beyond the markets our 4 WD vehicle broke down!  Apparently, the bolts had come loose on the left front wheel of the vehicle, and some other metal pieces that had gotten into the brake system! The left front wheel had fallen off! It was about 2 pm, and we were stuck!  We got out of the vehicle, and the driver Nicholas surveyed the front end, and the damage. Nuhu, Paul and I looked around wondering — what to do now?

Jesus said once, “Oh you of little faith!”  That was me at this moment.  I thought to myself, “Man.. how could this happen!?  Why us. God?  More than likely we will be stuck here for hours, maybe the whole night!  I had visions of having to sleep on the dirt that night.  I was not doing well to say the least!

While I was getting more and more depressed over our situation, Paul Slankerd remarked aloud “Well, there must be a reason why we broke down here, right at this particular spot.  God must have a plan in this – I wonder what that is?” Paul and Nuhu started looking around, and spotted two fellas and a woman sitting on the porch in front of a nearby storefront.  One of the young men looked like he had been badly burnt, it was his right hand and, in fact, his whole arm!

Paul and Nuhu started walking toward the storefront, with me following close behind.  As we walked toward the two fellas on the porch, they looked back at us and began smiling.  I wondered, what did God have in mind for us here?  Paul and Nuhu struck up a conversation with them and found out that the young man – Gerard – had burned his arm by falling asleep while cooking fish in hot oil.  His whole arm fell into the frying pan, and he sustained 3^rd degree burns over his entire arm!  Yet he was smiling at us as he described the incident.

Our driver was assessing the damage, then he called Moses [Arthur’s son].  Fortunately, Moses arrived on his scooter a short time after.  He and our driver proceeded to speed off to the nearest town in hopes of finding a good mechanic to help with the repairs, while we were busy talking to these two young men. A half hour later the mechanic – and not just any mechanic, a Toyota mechanic! –  returned riding on the back of Moses’ bike. He immediately began working on the front end – taking off he tire, then inspecting the damage and beginning the repairs.

I walked back to the Toyota Land Cruiser and saw the mechanic busy at work. I asked Nicholas to check with him on the status of the damage, and how long it might take to do all the repairs.  He told us only an hour or two!  He would have to go back and pick up a few parts, and then it would be done and we would be on our way.  That sounded encouraging!  I looked over and saw Paul and Nuhu sharing with the two fellas and the girl, and so I walked back over to join them once again.

As I sat down, I listened to what Nuhu was saying.  The one fellow, not injured guy, was a Muslim – Ishmael, and Nuhu began sharing the fundamental differences between the Muslim religion, and the Christian faith.  He was asking the boy where are all the prophets – Jerimiah, Isaiah, an even Mohammed – where are they?  “In the ground”, Nuhu remarked. Even the Quran admits this. But then he asked the boy, where was “Isa” (Jesus)?  Why, He was in heaven with God (as the bible and the Quran agree).  The boy was listening intently.  Eventually, Nuhu asked the boys if they would like to receive Jesus into their hearts and be born again. Their respond was “Yes”!  We all prayed with them, and they believed and received the Lord into their hearts. We gave them bibles we happen to have in their own language.

Then we asked the girl if she had been listening, and what were her thoughts. She said: “she was definitely listening to us”, she said she had become a believer years ago – however she felt a need to rededicate her life to the Lord.  We then prayed with her, we asked the Lord to fill her with His Spirit, and empower her to lead a rich life, and fulfilling His purpose and will.

When we looked over and saw yet another woman sitting in front of another store, and she was also smiling at us. We walked over, and Nuhu began asking her if she knew the Lord, she replied, “Yes” – I am a Christian”.  We were so happy to know that these boys would have someone close by to encourage them in their faith. I’m convinced that our breakdown was divinely planned, and the purpose was nothing short of bringing these people to the Lord. Amazing isn’t it?

As I glanced over at the mechanic working on the truck, I noticed that he was wrapping things up. Just as Nuhu and Paul had finished sharing with these two young men about the Lord, and their acceptance of Christ as Lord, the mechanic had finished the repairs and we would be ready to go soon. Walking over, I saw that the tire was back on the vehicle, and he was packing up his tools. Nicholas started up the engine, and we were on our way! We said our goodbyes to the two boys and the girl, and we all prayed together before we left. We asked the Lord to strengthen their faith so that they remain faithful and may the Lord be with them always.  We told them that we would send someone to follow-up with them. They thanked us and then we drove away.

God’s timing is perfect, and His ways are amazing!  Our car broke down for a reason, in this precise location.  The time was ripe, for our visit to the village was over. The Lord provided an awesome mechanic, along with all the needed parts.  His plan was to use us as His instruments to save some souls He had chosen today. To do that a break down of our vehicle was needed.  He had planned this whole episode, two souls were brought into His kingdom, a girl’s faith was encouraged, and a local fellowship was born. As we drove away, we thought to ourselves – “what an awesome God we serve”!  In the life of a believer, many times things happen for a reason.  If we allow ourselves to be sensitive to His Spirit, and what He is trying to accomplish through us, we will experience the plans He has set for us.

We headed back to our hotel, with a thankful heart and a joyful spirit. We were blessed by the whole incident that occurred.  It was so encouraging to see how this experience was orchestrated by the Lord – the breakdown, the two souls needing hope, the right mechanic close by needing work, equipped with the right parts and tools.  Our Father God is an awesome God!