Don't usually pray this way, but it was like, "Lord, if the part doesn't arrive in time, please give me a ride, or rides, to Sinapalu and back, in Jesus name, amen, and thanks in advance." Felt like it was the early 1970's when we used to hitchhike 20 miles to go to Jesus rallies in downtown Kansas City - God always answered our prayers and whoever picked us up, always got to hear about Jesus. My dad put a stop to the hitchhiking, and that's how my mom came to Jesus - she had to drive us to the Jesus rallies, got bored waiting outside in the car, went in, and ended up giving her life to Jesus.
So, the bicycle part didn't arrive in time. Got up at 4:00 am, walked out the door at 5, and headed for Sinapalu. When the tropical sun gets up in the sky, it can get really hot. Got to Teteto Beach in two hours, which by bike only takes 30 minutes. Decided not to stick out my thumb walking along the west coast of the island - love to watch the waves hitting the reef, and listen to the different birds making their noises. Saw two big fruit bats before sunrise. Enjoy all the smells and sounds that come from the dense jungle along the road.
After the rest break at Teteto Beach, started thinking of the very steep road ahead, which snakes it's way up to the highest elevations on the island. Always glad to get plenty of exercise, prepared my mind for the climb up the mountain, with many rest breaks at every shady spot along the road. Just as the road turned away from the beaches, heading up the mountain, an old car pulled up - inside was an elderly couple (must have been at least 70). The driver said something like, "Want a ride? Get in." Couldn't stop saying thanks. The driver said something to me, "You know how it is, when you get old, you just don't have as much strength as you used to, and can't do as much as before." Asked him if he was from Rota. "Born and lived here all my life." Just had to say, 'You must have seen a lot of changes." He said something like, "Changes, yes, but always very slow, never fast. And people are still friendly and help their neighbors." Think he said other things, but it wasn't the words they gave me - getting out of their old car, a tremendous peace (hard to describe) filled my mind and my whole body. Wow, I was in Sinapalu in a matter of minutes, not hours, didn't feel tired, hot, or even sweaty.
Had business to take care of in Sinapalu. As I walked up to the place, many people waiting outside said hello. Had to go in first, sign in, and then wait. Loads of people waiting outside right at 9:00 am when things get started. There's always a certain comradery among all of us waiting for the same thing - plenty of small talk. There's always a comment about whose at the top of the list this month, which generates lots of smiles. But this time, to follow the Chamarro custom, my name is called first (because I was the oldest person there that day). Business finished and back on the road, walking back to the Village, but with thumb sticking out. In just a few minutes, a young couple pulled up in a big new American pickup truck, asked, "Where you going?" I said, "The Village." Then, "Where in the Village?" I said, "Anywhere is OK." The reply, "Get in."
Ridden in the back of many trucks while doing construction work in Florida, but never ever like people do here on Rota. Every day, any time of the day have seen people riding in the back of a pickup truck, sitting on a big board across the bed and up against the cab. That way you ride high in the truck and can see everything, even more than the driver. Always wanted to do that but never had the opportunity. The ride back to the Village, in the back of that massive new pickup truck, the jungle, the beaches, the waves, the reef, all the birds and the palm trees - best ride I've ever had (right up there with a good motorcycle ride).
They let me off at one of my favorite grocery stores and wouldn't accept any money for gas. This sounds really corney, for sure, but they actually seemed happy to give me a ride, which like the"peace" riding with the elderly couple, has gotten into my mind.
Walked into the store, and there's a man amko (senior citizen) friend looking at his cellphone. Leaving the store, had learned a new vocabulary word, and the answer for all the anemic plants in my garden - a serious concern these past two weeks. Stopped by the post office on the way back to the apartment - the bicycle part had arrived.
So glad the bike broke down. Just love the way God does stuff.
No comments:
Post a Comment