Waiting On Direction....

So there is a story I have to share with you. It begins just hours after the hospital trauma with the two injured orphans. We started our journey toward the airport in Santiago, DR. We had only been on the road for an hour when we blew a tire. It's 4am and here we are in the middle of a very dark road changing a flat. We took this opportunity to snap a few photos in our attempt to stay cheerfully positive. Soon we were back on the road.

It was not long before I realized that everyone in the car, except for Kristy and myself, had fallen asleep. The driver was doing one of those nod-off head shaking sessions we can all relate to at one time or another. I spent the next 40 minutes terrified we were going into a ditch. Kristy kept me stable and I was thankful for that. What faith she has!

Cars began to back up until we had come to a complete stop. What was going on? People were getting out of their cars and looking ahead. We of course were blocked by a vehicle much larger than ours. Out of nowhere, this stranger comes to the side of our van and begins talking to the driver. Spanish is not my native language and so I was at a loss for what was being said. I did however get the feeling that something was terribly wrong. The stranger proceeded to point us toward a narrow dirt path off the beaten trail. Suddenly he grabbed ahold of the side of our car and we began to follow his direction. As we pulled around the larger vehicle, we caught a glimpse of what looked like a war zone just yards ahead. There were fires, trees down in the road, blocks of concrete spread everywhere. I had never seen anything like it in my life. I was frightened. It now seemed this stranger was going to find a detour for us, but to where?

This is where I began to panic! This does not feel right! Why are we following this guy and where are we going? What if this guys means us harm? Isn't anyone else in this car worried about where he might be taking us? There is a cliff on the right side, a mountain on the left, and we are driving on a narrow dirt road toward God knows where. We are going to die!!!!!!!!!

I buried my head in Meredith's back and just cried. It was about this time the entire team became aware of my meltdown and I was truly embarrassed. The stranger jumped off the side of the car and yelled what sounded like "Thanks for the ride." Apparently we had driven around 50% of the riot and this little dirt road dumped us out right in the middle of a scene from a war movie. I have never seen so many tires in the street set ablaze. It looked as if a hurricane had come through and knocked over large trees and buildings into the street. Our little van dodged debris as we made our way out of this frightening mess.

No sooner had we passed the last of the debris when "boom" we blew another tire. Now remember, we had already used the spare so we were pretty much out of luck. It was at this point I had gave up all hope. My cry turned to an uncontrollable sob as our van hobbled to the only building we could see just 200 yards away.

I would not have believed it if I had not been there myself... As we approached the building we realized in all its glory..... it was a "TIRE SHOP." Who would have guessed? Praise the Lord!!!!!!!!!! It was a pretty humbling moment. It was as if God reminded me of how little I had trusted in the work that lay ahead for each of us. It was not our time. This was not the end and we were certainly not alone.

I can joke about it now. I can even look at the photo of me sobbing in front of the tire shop and smile at how truly awesome our God is. It was through this experience that I came to understand what "trusting in the Lord" really meant. It does not mean everything will go according to your desires. It does not mean you will not see children hungry, injured or near death. It does not mean you won't experience tragedies throughout your life, and it certainly does not mean you will be spared from death even when fighting for justice. It does however mean, you are NEVER alone! In the darkest moments of your life, where there seems like no end to pain or fear, you can be assured God has never left you. May you find this same assurance.

In the meantime, I am waiting on direction. There is a big plan ahead, and yet I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by it. I plan to return to Haiti in February with a new sense of faith and direction that this is much bigger than me!