On day two of our Mex/LA mission trip, we rested so beautifully in our Mesquite, NV hotel. Since we had driven nearly 20 hours the day before, Terry let us sleep in and take it easy before getting on the road the following day.
We all took our time eating at the casino's tasty breakfast buffet.
Jake sat with us too.
Yeah, because did I mention that we stayed at a casino hotel? 😂 It was crazy cheap, but still a decent place to stay. That's why we drove so far the previous day. Not sure it was worth it though, especially with Noah puking on the bus.
We got back on the road just after 10am and began our trek across the desert. This solar farm just outside of Las Vegas was interesting.
We sang our worship songs together again (I am holding the book for Terry. That was my job.).
Ha ha
There's Evie in the back.
Unbeknownst to most of us, the bus had been steadily heating up as we drove across the desert (go figure). Jerry, our bus driver, pulled onto the off ramp at Barstow, CA and the bus completely died. He gave it a few minutes and it started right up again. He drove us into town, parked at an In and Out Burger and let the bus rest. It was nearly 3pm at this time and that burger tasted amazing.
However, the bus would not start again. We all hung out at the shady but hot outdoor seating area of In and Out.
We were sure the bus would start again soon. We sang songs, walked around, kicked a soccer ball, made bracelets, prepared for Mexico VBS, and just chilled.
When we had eaten, Prae and a group, had talked to a few employees inside and handed out our Mount Rushmore one million dollar tracts which explained the gospel. They interacted with one guy named Jesse who was interested. I think he had just finished his shift when we invited him to join us outside. He said he was a Christian! Turns out his car was broken down (I think) and his mom was late picking him up so he had nothing else to do. He was a very sweet and kind young man who shared a little about his testimony. He sang with us too. We all really liked him. When his mom came we said goodbye, not knowing he'd be integral to God's plan for us later.
We waited and waited but the bus would not start. Jerry tried everything he knew to do and then called the bus company manufacturer, Provost, who said they'd sent a mechanic. It was 8:30pm here.
The rowdy kids went into the parking lot to release some energy.
Steven led them all in a game of Ship to Shore, just like at Fall Retreat every year.
The mechanic finally arrived at 10pm but he had no luck for a long time.
The manager of the In and Out came to check on us at some point that evening and asked if there was anything he could do. He said he had an employee who was a Christian and maybe his church could help us out. Terry let him contact this employee who turned out to be Jesse. Jesse texted Terry and offered his church's assistance. Terry had been researched hotels but he agreed. It's not like an extra night at a hotel for 34 was planned for. Jesse is in the white tank top against the fence. His pastor, Dave, is next to him in the black tank top.
Jesse was at bible study with Dave and some others when we got the text from his boss and he immediately talked to them all about helping us. They all jumped into action. They bought and brought pizzas to feed us and cars to hold us. Dave sat down, borrowed Terry's guitar, and began leading us in worship. It was about 11pm.
It was so cool.
Terry is standing next to Jesse at the end of the video.
We were just about to load up all of our stuff into their vehicles when the bus miraculously started! We boarded the bus and followed them to their church in Hinkley. But the bus was acting most strangely. The AC and lights were turning on and off like it was possessed. We made it to the church and Terry had us remove all of our luggage and supplies, just in case. Thank the Lord he did because the bus died on the interstate halfway back to Barstow. Poor Jerry spent a sleepless night in the hot and stuffy bus while being buffeted by the wind of passing cars and trucks, waiting for a mechanic who never came. Or not until after 7am.
Meanwhile we got ready to sleep on the floor or in the pews of the comfortably cool church. It was 1am.
Noah was beyond tired. Poor kid.
Evie was still in good spirits. She's an extrovert and was in her element the entire trip.
Terry and Jesse visiting before bed.
Pastor Dave and some of his elders were planning what the do the following morning. We were so grateful for a place to stay. We were supposed to have made it to Tijuana that night but Mexico would have to wait. We all wondered why the Lord derailed our trip and our plans, but He had better plans than us. Just in that day alone God had so richly provided for us. We could have broken down in the middle of the desert or on the off ramp, miles from the town, but we made it to In and Out. We "just happened" to meet Jesse. It wasn't a coincidence that Jesse's car wasn't working and that his mom was late. It was all Providence! We were sure we'd be on our way but the Lord had ordered everything ahead of us, before we even were aware of our need. The Hinkley folks were beginning to show us the meaning of love and service.
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