Training Camp ended on the morning of Saturday, May 24th, but the lessons that the Lord had for me during my “Training Camp experience” were far from over. Alicia, a co-F Squad member, Aleisa and Kelsie, both G Squad ladies, and I began the 10 hour drive back to Arkansas, where they would then continue on to Missouri. The drive was full of caffeine, donuts, laughter and dance parties. It was fun, we all smelled, it was great.
As we drove along Alicia and I realized we were about to pass where we got stuck on the drive TO Training Camp. (Side note: on THAT trip a truck caught on fire, we moved maybe 20 miles in 1.5 hours. We made friends with truckers, danced in tutu’s on the highway and were an hour late to Camp. It was also great). So, as we passed the exact spot we sat, I made some joke about how nothing could stop us this time, and we all laughed.
Enter “Construction,” literally a mile from where we got stuck the first time. We slowed down and came to a complete stop, it was then that Kelsie asked Alicia if her car just died. It had. So we all got out and pushed her car to the median. Alicia was looking at the engine while on the phone with her dad to see if we could figure out the problem. This cop who had been watching the construction traffic drove up, asked what the problem was, told us quite loudly to stay in the car and said he would call a tow truck.
Soon some roadside assistance came. The spark plugs had come off and it was an easy fix, but he wanted to be sure we would be okay, so he followed us down the road to the next exit. Once there, Terry, our roadside assistant man, checked the plugs again and said we would be fine. We were about to close the hood and be on our way when I voiced my disappointment by saying “Man, I really wanted to ride in that cop car. That would have been a funny story and a good adventure.” Terry looked at me, chuckled and said “well, if it’s an adventure you want, a tow truck is coming this way, I could tell him you need to be towed to the gas station so I can look at the car some more. It would be free and he would be getting paid. He wouldn’t need to know that your car is actually fine.” The four of us girls just looked at each other and agreed to the plan.
So while Kevin, the tow truck driver, hooked Alicia’s car up we all piled in Terry’s air-conditioned truck, put on the neon yellow coats, and hard hats and just laughed about our little adventure. On the way to the gas station Terry told us a little about himself. He was formerly in the Navy and the Army, he is a firefighter, roadside assistant and a former ambulance driver. Not only that, he told us he works 70-80 hours a week to provide for 5 preteen-teenage kids, two of which aren’t even his. This man is hardworking, inspiring and humble. He is a hero in his profession and a hero at home.
We got to the gas station, told Kevin thank you and after he drove away we asked to take a picture with Terry. I jokingly asked him to put on my green tutu for the picture and to my amazement, he said okay! We laughed as we took some hilarious pictures with our new friend. We asked if we could pray for him, he said yes, then he prayed for us and for the World Race and what we will be doing for the next year.
(Me, Terry, Alicia)
Terry then fixed our spark plugs (again) and waited on us while we filled up the tank with gas and grabbed more caffeine We said thank you and then we drove down the highway. Terry followed us for eight miles to make sure the car was working and then we waved as we went our separate ways.
That was probably the last time we will ever see Terry, but this isn’t the last time this story will be told. It isn’t the last time I will think fondly of our Saturday afternoon in Nowheresville, Arkansas, laughing with an everyday hero who doesn’t get enough recognition.
As we continued the drive to Little Rock we all talked about the last two hours. We discussed how easy it would have been to miss the opportunity we had to encourage and pray for Terry (and be encouraged by him as well.)
I know for me it is really easy to focus on the ministry and the opportunities we will have while on the World Race and forget about the ones that can happen right here, right now in every day life.
I want to challenge you to keep your eyes open for the opportunities that God may have for you. This situation started as a broken down car, with a bunch of exhausted girls just wanting to get home. It started as a hindrance to what we wanted. But it turned into the biggest blessing. It turned into an incredible opportunity to share Christ’s love. So no matter if you are going on a mission trip overseas, or your car breaks down in a parking lot, I would challenge you to see what God may have for you in that moment.
Shannon
