Truck Blues

It's been a month since I shared about our truck troubles. Clyde had the mechanics rebuild the engine. The trip home to Uruara' went smooth. We spent 2 weeks in Uruara' and had to come back already. We needed to take Nate to Belem to get his passport renewed and meet up with a team from Ohio. It was gonna be a week of fun. We headed out and 60 km down the road, Clyde pulled over. I figured it was a potty stop. When he got out and lifted up the hood, I heard the strange noise. Clyde knew what it was as it was the same sound he dealt with on the last trip he took to Altamira. It was overheating again! Disbelief hit him along with frustration. He just spent 2 weeks and LOTS of money to rebuild the engine. He knew the system and God ordained our stop right next to a spring of water. We filled up our water bottles and had a few extras Clyde threw in the back "just in case". Staying flexible, I didn't really know what was ahead of us, but trusting God it would turn out okay.

This is what "frustrated" looks like

Well, God is always wanting to give us good stuff. Even in the midst of trials, He is good! ALL the time. I haven't walked through death and sickness to testify of His goodness, but in every trial we have endured so far, He has been good and I don't expect that to ever change no matter what the situation. AMEN!!!

One stop we made was at a cacau farm. The biggest cacau we ever saw. It's one of the kids' favorites! (This is the plant that gives us chocolate)

We are living in one of the richest soil regions for growing the cacau tree.

Draining the radiator to see if that would help go a little further than just 3km.

So it took us 7 hours to go about 25 miles of the 111 miles!! God provided shade, water, a kind neighbor at every stop one of these things comforted us. At one point in the beginning, Clyde pulled over after just 3km and he unhooked a hose. A screw fell down into the engine. He couldn't find it. I took the kids up to a palm branch shelter where folks usually wait for a ride on the TRansAmazon Hwy. I gathered the kids and we prayed that God would allow him to find the screw soon and be able to get it back on so we could start the engine. Without it, we couldn't go any further. Within a short time, the screw was found and put back on!

IN EVERYTHING, PRESENT YOUR NEEDS TO HIM! HE WILL PROVIDE A WAY!!!

The dirtiest and cutest kids!

We got to the nearest big town about 5pm. We decided it was best to send the truck on the bed of a bigger rig. First truck we talked to was ready when we were! Miracle! We quickly rounded up tickets to send me and 3 of the kids on a bus to Altamira(some 90 km). We hustled to eat lunch at 5:30pm before the bus took off. We were dirty from the dust and heat and tired beyond words. I personally don't like the buses. We've seen how fast and crazy they drive. The driver seemed nice, professional, but you just have to trust that he had never had an accident or that he would drive with caution or not fall asleep. I placed our lives in God's hands and had tears in my eyes as I surrendered it over to His will. He will NEVER leave us or forsake us. The kids and I feel asleep and the drive went smooth all the way til the mission gates! Thank you Lord. We arrived in Altamira after dark. Clyde followed another hour later in tact with Maddy!

Wednesday, it will make 3 weeks that we have been in Altamira waiting for the truck to get fixed. It's been a process of trail and error. They can't figure out why it keeps over heating. Because we rebuilt it last month, it's under their warranty. One big problem is they are not putting our car in priority. Please keep Clyde in your prayers as he is frustrated with the amount of time it's taking.

Keep us in your prayers. We have both been discouraged. Sometimes missionary life isn't all it's seems to be. We don't believe that God wants us to give up but the battle is there and we need the force to overcome no matter what.

Furlough is coming up and it's a big price tag. The truck and selling it and buying another new truck is also a huge price tag. The building project in Uruara' is lacking funds to get Poli and Nega into a house and have a mtg area.

We know we have put our dependance in the Lord as He is the only ONE to fix our temporary problems. It's His ministry. He'll take care of it in His timing!

I thank Him in advance for the preparations He has made for us to meet ALL our needs. I am so mindful that this is not about death of family member, like our friend Pastor Clenildo is facing right now or illness that needs a miracle like our friend's son is needing. I praise God we are walking a different lesson right now. My heart goes out to those suffering!

May the Lord minister to those suffering and feeling helpless. May His light enter their darkness. Are you feeling in the dark? Are you feeling blue?

Lift up your heads!

He IS in control!