Last week Friday I was heading to Tobago for a wedding on Saturday with Steve and Dyann's children. We had a 6:30am sailing, so we had to wake up pretty early to reach to Port-of-Spain from Dow Village for check in at 4:30am:
2:45am - Rise and shine, make sandwiches for breakfast and start getting ready
3:45am - Leave Dow Village, 15 minutes later than planned, but still with enough time to get up the highway, even with the inclement weather
4:15am - Start hearing a high pitched sound, as though the engine is straining. Never noticed it before, so made a mental note to let the mechanic check it out when I get back
4:25am - Realise that the van is slowing down, even though I am trying to accelerate. Switch over from using CNG to gasoline and start praying
4:30am - Despite the switch over, the van keeps losing power. At this point, I start wondering if we would make it to the port. Call Dyann for prayer support.
4:38am - After decelerating to 20km/h, decide to stop under the Aranguez flyover because (1) I had no desire to be stranded on the Beetham with the only male in our party being 2 years old and (2) At least if the rain started to fall we could shelter under the flyover
4:40am - Call my church parents Lorraine & Lawrence to take my passengers to the port so they would not miss the sailing. Stevann was a bridesmaid in the wedding, so she needed to get there before Saturday
4:50am - Call my cousin Anand who lives in El Socorro. He is an electrician, but felt he could help troubleshoot, as well as keep me company since it was still dark
5:01am - Lawrence arrives and takes my passengers to the port so they were able to check in. Although they took their luggage, I still had all our food supplies, as well as some of the wedding videographers' equipment in the van. Started thinking about where is the nearest mechanic
5:10am - After confirming that there is water in the radiator and there is no visible sign of engine trouble, Anand decides to try starting the van
5:15am - The van starts normally, and is able to reverse and drive forward on the shoulder with no resistance
5:17am - Anand suggests that the van will drive if I try it, but I wasn't sure if I would make it to the port in time, especially since by this time the traffic is already starting to build up heading into Port of Spain
5:22am - Steve assures me that I would be able to make it in time for the sailing, so I start driving, with Anand following behind just in case of any further difficulties
5:30am - Arrive at the port, pick up my passengers and drive on to the boat
9:15am - Drive off the boat in Tobago
NO VAN ISSUES FOR THE REST OF THE WEEKEND!!!!!!
Throughout this entire experience, I was calm. I didn't know how it was all going to work out, but I knew that God was in control, and that I would make it to the wedding somehow. Mummy asked me afterwards what we had done to make the van work again and I said nothing. All we did was pray - God did the rest ;) It was indeed a miracle on the Churchill Roosevelt Highway! I thank God for the friends and family who were there to support, and for His help in ensuring that we got to Tobago and back safely.
Oh and did I mention that after a couple days of rain, we had perfect weather for the beach wedding?
I tell you, I truly serve an AWESOME God!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteJesus never fails PTL. REGARDS TO YOUR DAD.
ReplyDeleteAmazing! You could write a book! ..."And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
ReplyDeleteGod continues to be God in every situation of your life, continue to be a living testimony Debbs!!!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Our God is good!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete