As you know from my prayer requests, we were in great need for a vehicle. This life of faith has many twists and turns, locations and relocations, summits and valleys, yet always… our God provides! I needed a vehicle that I could work out of, yet something that was also a family vehicle that I could travel in. WE were thinking a club cab pick-up, but God had greater plans. Let me bare witness:
Monday 1/17/2011 was our coldest day of the winter yet. It was the day that did my old Jeep in. It had close to 200k on it, transmission was slipping bad, and the brakes needed complete overhaul. That morning it overheated from either a cracked engine block or bad head gasket. Either way – she was done. That’s when I sent out the urgent prayer email.
That afternoon: I could drive the Jeep about 3 miles before she started to overheat, so I loaded up the wife and kids and made our way to the local post office. Tricia went in to send a package. I turned off the motor while she went in, but when she came out, I turned the key to only get click-click-click! The sub-zero temps had cause the battery to freeze and I lost a cell. Drats! So I called a customer of mine who lived around the corner and asked him for a jump so I could get it home.
When he saw that my Jeep was dead(and new our situation), he said he had something for me. He had just acquired a mid 90′s Toyota pickup and it could be mine for only $200!! And I could pay him when I had the money. I expected to see a real rust bucket, but the truck was solid through and through and has a strong motor. All I needed was a cap and I would have an excellent work truck. The Lord was putting it all together.
Tuesday 1/18/2011 – I was able to get back to work on Tuesday, because I was able to register the truck. In the evening when I got home I checked my email. A brother in the Lord had pledged to send us $1000 towards getting a car. I looked on Craigslist for an old ladies car with low mileage. There are about 6 cars manufactured during the 90′s which are notorious for making 250k + in mileage. So finding one with low mileage was my target.
Thursday 1/20/2011 – The check for $1000 came in the mail so I deposited it. I then went to look at a 97 Chevy Lumina with only 90k on it. It turned out to be pretty solid, belonging to an older man who had it since 99. He took very good care of it, but his son had gone overseas and left him with a brand new Honda. His landlord told him that he had to get rid of the second car. (It was a row house with limited parking) He was asking $1500, but I offered $800 and he accepted.
SO LISTEN: My Jeep died because of the ware and tear of being a dual purpose vehicle in it’s old age. But God was able to provide a separate work truck AND a separate family car capable of traveling for only $1000.. and HE provided that too. No more breaking down my work truck to have a family vehicle. No more having to move all my ladders off of the roof to go to church, etc. etc, etc……..
In spite of the fact we had no money… In spite of the fact we lost our only vehicle and had no way of getting to work… God provided above and beyond our expectations! Jehovah – Jirah – Our Lord truly provides for the needs of His children.
February 10, 2011 at 5:50 pm |
Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!
We started receiving your emails sometime last year, and I have been following your story as I have a son who lives in Utica. Have been praying for your ministry and family.