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We drove to Kottayam (a town in South India) from our home (around 40 kms. away) to get my camera repaired one Friday evening hoping to get it fixed in a day’s time and do some shopping too as time permitted and return home by Saturday evening. We relaxed in the hotel room after giving the camera for repairs leaving the shopping for the morrow as time didn’t permit us to go ahead with that part of our plan. We relaxed in the hotel room and after prayers talked about our plans for the next day.
As we approached the restaurant for breakfast the next morning everything seemed to be unusually quiet. What’s the matter I asked the manager? Don’t you know? Some political factions have called for a 24 hour strike starting last midnight, he said.
‘So much for our plans, I thought in my mind.”
All shops closed, vehicles running sparingly and I had to be back home by 6 pm. I called the camera shop but no one answered the phone. We just walked here and there casually and then retired to our hotel room. I just about managed some snacks for lunch from a shopkeeper who dared to keep his shop open despite the strike. Time seemed to be dragging and the children were restless. By 4pm we just made up our minds- Strike or no strike-let’s go home-we all said. We prayed yet another prayer (there were several that day) just before we left the hotel room. Half an hour on our journey and I sensed some problem with our car. Something was wrong somewhere and it came as no surprise to me when smoke billowed from the bonnet and the car came to a sudden halt. We were stranded in the true sense of the word with no people around and only an occasional vehicle passing by. I opened the bonnet and let all the smoke escape, looked around but couldn’t spot the trouble. I walked for a distance, found some houses and enquired if there was a workshop or a mechanic nearby.” Strike, no mechanic, workshop closed, only tomorrow” was the reply. I left my wife and kids and walked off to find someone who could fix the problem. It was getting late and I put up my faith sail high to see where it would lead me. I found an auto rickshaw(3 wheeler vehicle)fellow who was willing to join me in my search and he gave suggestions of people he knew of who could probably help me. We searched for half an hour but couldn’t find anyone. I was returning to the place where I left my wife and kids and was wondering what course of action to take. Couldn’t possibly leave the vehicle here in the midst of nowhere. What else? My mind gave no suggestions as the auto neared the place where I had left my vehicle .I signaled a thumbs down sign to the three who were anxiously waiting for me. AS YOU HAVE READ TILL HERE CAN YOU GUESS WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
No guesses.
O.K. Here’s the climax that Jesus arranged. Just as I walked dejectedly towards my wife and little ones a van zoomed past us. It went quite a distance from where we were and then it stopped and came in reverse in great speed and stopped just next to us. Out stepped 10 guys. It was already dark and a small fear crept into me. Good or Bad, don’t know; trust in Jesus my mind said. One of them approached us and asked” What’s the problem? I gave him a brief history.” Let’s see, he said and quite a few of them examined the gadgets under the bonnet.
In no time he proclaimed the diagnosis-fan switch is not working-water got heated excessively so the car stopped because of overheating.
So what’s to be done? I asked meekly.
No problem ,he said and he and his friends set about fixing the thing, giving a direct connection from the battery to the fan, filled the radiator themselves by drawing water from a nearby well ,put the key to the ignition and in no time brought the car back to life. All 4 of us heaved a sigh of relief. My mind shouted Halleluiah and I smiled and thanked him.
I took some money and gave it to the guy who did most of the work but he did not accept it. He and his friends walked back towards their vehicle. I went after him.” Who are you and how do you’ll know so much about the vehicle, I asked. Oh! Sorry for not introducing ourselves he said. We all are car mechanics and we had come to Kottayam for a wedding and we were returning after attending the reception. We are getting late, Bye he said and got into their vehicle and took off. I stood there stunned and speechless for a moment.
All I needed was 1 mechanic and Jesus sent 10.Can you believe it?
And what timing! Just when I had tried my best finding a solution and had failed. No wonder then that Abraham said-JEHOVAH JIREH
“The Bible says-Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8) Help is already on the way dear friend, in whatever difficult situation that you are in.
Jesus says,” I will never leave you nor forsake you”(Hebrews 13:5) My reasoning is this-Before a child of God falls into a problem, God has already arranged the solution. So be strong and courageous. Just to make this point clear-Think of Joseph. His brothers threw him into the pit. And after a while the Ishmaelites were there and he was sold to them and taken to Egypt. God had already sent the Ishmaelities while Joseph was being thrown in to the pit. A God who prepares in advance.
Praise the Lord.
To end the story, we drove back safely home praising God for His faithfulness. “Remember Heavenly Help is on the way”. So do not worry.
“Great is His faithfulness”
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Born Margaretha Geertruida Zelle, this Dutch courtesan, dancer, and probable spy went by the stage name Mata Hari. During WWI, she had intimate relationships with many high-ranking Allied military officers and government officials. In January 1917, French intelligence intercepted German messages about a spy that the former identified as Mata Hari. Less than a year later, she was executed by the French on espionage charges. What is she rumored to have done while standing before the firing squad?