5:18 AM the phone was ringing. Les answered and I could hear G’s voice as she told her father she was okay but they had been in a bad wreck. Immediately I began to pray. They had rented a car and had a mechanic driving it as he ushered G and Z to look at a potential car to purchase. A drunk driver had hit them from behind crushing the trunk and moving it forward to the back seat where G had been seated. She was home and doing okay but had hurt her ribs and was soar all over. She had been thrown forward. Z had hurt his back and neck, but both were able to be at home. They are shaken, bruised, but doing okay. My heart sank as I listened to her describing the wreck, the injuries, the fears as everyone around them spoke another language, the comfort of the mechanic having been the driver, his minor injuries. Then the fears of what it would cost and how that would possibly prevent them from being able to get the car was just more than overwhelming. The part that hurt the most, “It just seems when we finally are making headway we are pushed back.” I wonder if that is how so many Apostles, disciples, and prophets of old felt. They worked so hard and then the enemy would send them a punch in the gut. Maybe they did not have car wrecks, but the enemy knew what would get to them as well. G’s last words to her daddy this morning were “tell mom not to freak out”. I was calm until this afternoon when I read G’s account on social media and saw the pictures. Then the tears flowed. She was so close to really being hurt in a major way. She could have been killed, broken something major or had a major head trauma. (I am thankful for that hard head) Z could have been thrown through the window, broken major bones or even knocked out teeth. instead they incurred “minor” bruises, and sore bodies. I wept thanking God for being gracious to us. I wept thinking of the many prayers that are constantly lifted to the Father on their behalf. His angels protect them today! I wept thinking how sorry I was I couldn’t be there to help. I wept because I was sad for them and the anxieties they had over the finances and what it would cost.
Then the call came from G. She had gotten a call from C, a lady in their organization here in the states. She is also a part of the home church that has sent them. She used words to love and encourage G and Z. She assured them that the church would cover any expenses they could not and that there was no need to be anxious or fearful. She told me of some friends who came by bringing chocolates and cola to ease the pain. She told me how her pastor’s wife had called to check on her and make sure she was okay. Again, I wept so hard I could not speak just thanking God for being there in so many tangible ways.
So I want to end this day thanking so many of you for lifting our kids up to the Father. I want to give HIM all of the praise and honor and glory for taking care of G and Z and Les and me. Being a parent of kids serving abroad isn’t for sissies. Grateful He is in control.