(Check out Uhles’ Taco Run Detour blog as well)
So does it get any better? Can Sunday
top Saturday? The answer is a resounding Yes. It is, after all, the
day set aside specifically and totally for the Lord. So you do that.
You be with the Lord and let Him be with you. Again, you give the
morning to the Lord in a personal way and then, without really
knowing why at the time, consecrate the afternoon to Him in a public
way. Then it hits you… tacos. Yes, tacos. Some Racers found a
taco and juice stand the other day and have made big plans to go
there for lunch. Taxis again and then you arrive to find it’s closed
on Sunday. Some part of you respects the place and some part of you
is real hungry. Finding a new taxi, your friends confess to the
driver that they had really wanted tacos for lunch and ask him if he
knows of any place. He says “I know a little place. It’s right
on the water and has a warming Caribbean breeze with a stunning view
of the pier. They have broiled lobster in a delicate souffle or herb
roasted Spanish Mackerel with a vegetable medley as their
specialties….” Actually, you haven’t the foggiest idea what
he said, but you secretly hope it’s something to that effect.
Eventually, you come back to your senses and signal the other cab of
Racers to follow.
The restaurant that does not have
tacos. But that’s OK, because it really is on a ridge above the
water and you can watch the children playing and the lobster and
turtle boats ambling in and out of dock. The chicken is amazing and
the Pepsi is cold. The open window really does welcome the soothing
Caribbean breeze inside to envelope you in tropical goodness. Fried
plantain chips and wedges of cheese are a bit hit. You have the
place mostly to yourselves and its just the kind of lazy Sunday
afternoon you could really get used to… idly squandering the
remainder of the day in a state of bliss and whimsy. Except that’s
not what you gave yourself to do that day. That’s why God put
Miguel, your driver, in your path. He is joining you for lunch.
He’s gracious enough to let everyone try out their Spanish on him and
attempts some English as well. He’s been chatting with you and the
others since you first got in the cab.
You see, he’s a brother in Christ and
he’s jumped at the opportunity to hang out with some Christians from
a faraway land with enough love in their hearts to give themselves to
him. You learn tons about Puerto culture and industry, imports and
exports of Nicaragua, delicacies, baseball heroes… you hear war
stories; you learn about fishing seasons; you learn about the climate
and the distinction between Miskito Indians and other Nicaraguan
races. But mostly, you learn about his life; his journey. You are
on a journey too, but yours seems not nearly as important as his.
His is the life that matters to you. Such openness and trust from a
complete stranger is a sign of the hand of God. The intimacy doesn’t
conclude with lunch; it extends to the pier, where he holds a second
job, and he shows you around, letting you experience the sights and
sounds of the lobster industry. He’s very proud of his family and
his respectable life; his time in the military and as a policeman
have taught him many things that formed his character. But his life
was truly changed just over a year ago when he made a decision about
Jesus and was baptized. You will never be able to share everything
about this man, but you got the opportunity to pray for and encourage
him before you parted with his company. You exude thankfulness for
what the Lord had provided in that day and for His divine
appointments. You rain down blessings upon the life of a Christian,
a Nicaraguan, and a brother. You encourage a new believer to
continue to seek after God in all he does. You ask the Lord to
continue to bring people of faith into Miguel’s life so that he may
never grow weak. That’s why you agree to let your life not be about
you, because sometimes it needs to be about Miguel.
Miguel, my friend, there are people
praying for you and I trust fully that your life will be a living
testament and sacrifice to the love and joy of Christ Jesus.
