A Near Miss

Thinking about all our breakdowns and travel memories, I remembered another story of God's provision before we knew we'd have any need. Jim's brother had given us a car-vac, which is something we had never used. That was one provision.

Driving through Mexico on our way to Guatemala, we were regularly accosted by vendors on street corners and in gas stations. Normally we are immune to their sales tactics unless they are selling something edible, but this one particular trip, I "just happened" to buy a small straw broom from a needy family.

Jim questioned my uncharacteristic purchase, considering the quantity of clutter we already battled in the old blue Bronco with four small children and their toys, snacks, pillows, and other comforts. I had no logical explanation, except that I simply felt prompted to buy a broom. Since when must I make sense in my impulsive compassion?

Shortly later, we were driving along one of those notorious mountain stretches with all the crazy switch-backs that caused the kids to get carsick. Coming around a curve, we got side-swiped by a huge truck that had been forced to cross the middle "line" (actually there wasn't one, but he was in our half of the road)in order to make the turn. It was a mercy that we didn't collide head-on, and also a mercy that the only damage was that he hit the side view mirror.

Ironically this was one of the rare trips where we actually had a car with A/C. The windows were all shut tight, allowing us to visit without the usual shouting over outside wind and traffic noises. Otherwise it wouldn't have posed any problem at all. As it was, the mirror came crashing in through the driver's window, shattering glass in every direction.

Once we found a safe place to pull over (none too easy on those highways with low visibility and no shoulder), we had to quickly clean all the debris before driving off again, ever mindful of highway bandits rumored to be in that region. The big pieces of safety glass were easily swept out with my handy mystery broom, and the smaller pieces were picked up by Uncle Tom's car vac.

Amazingly no one was hurt. Not even baby Hannah, whose car seat was covered with glass. Even after the hasty clean-up, there was not a drop of blood on any of us. Still shaking over the initial shock, we gave glory to God for sparing our lives so amazingly, and for even providing tools only He knew we would need that particular day.