muscles and Jesus: a hitch hikers delight

Saturday was a sabbath day like any other. 

Our sabbath days here have been filled with the beach, sun and surf. And this past Saturday we set out for those again. We were told of this beach that was not too far away and easy to get to. We were told that this beach had less tourism than the others and was more of a local hang out. Both true things, however, due to the less tourism nature of this beach we found that we were in the middle of somewhat nowhere and had to fend for ourselves. For food and other commodities that were to be expected.

There were fortunately two hostels on the beach. One hostel was fairly conservative and gracious to let us hang out on their property. The other was a hippie commune, that had compost toilets. (they are toilets that operate without water because after you go you put wood chips and saw dust on the top of the pile).

We were able to eat some snacks at the hippie hostel and rent two boards from them as well. So we had it. 

Surf, beach and sun. 

It was a beautiful beach to relax at and enjoy.  

We had been told buses run until 5pm. So about 3:30 we began to look into a way home. Where to catch a bus in the middle of nowhere and how the heck we were going to get home.

We found out right away that the buses had stopped running 30mins prior to when we started seeking out a mode of transportation. So we were stuck. 
Stuck at the beach. 

The idea to stay the night was entertained but due to lack of funds and communication we came to the conclusion that we better try to get home. A taxi at one point was called but was unable to pick us up in a timely fashion.

So that left with only one reasonable option: HITCH HIKING.

Side note, I have never hitch hiked before. Not even on the race. I just have not been in a situation quite like this where that is truly the only other option. 

But here we were stranded at the beach with the only real option to get home was to hitch hike.

We filled up our water bottles, went to the bathroom one last time and hit the pavement. 

It was kind of exciting not knowing how we were going to make it back but in the moment knowing that the Lord will provide, that He is big enough to provide and take care of our transportation needs.

So this is how He did it:

We walked for a little bit ( i have no concept of how far things are) and then a school bus was coming our way, in the direction that we needed to go.  So we flagged down the bus and were picked up. To come to find out that we had been picked up by a church group going to a wedding. They were not going as far as we were but were able to take us half way. What a blessing they were. The Lord did not only provide transportation but a bus of loving Nicaraguans who let us in.

Once we got to their wedding location we were again on the hunt for another bus or truck. Something to take us into town. 

We were told that there was a bus station a little bit down the rode, so we began walking in that direction when a bus came up the road right away. We easily boarded the bus and were taken the rest of the way into town. Another provision from the Lord. 

We got into town and everyone got off the bus, so we got off as well. And it turned out we were in a familiar part of town. Earlier that we week we had been in the area for ice cream. Knowing this, we went straight to the Eskimo ice cream parlor for some much needed/ wanted chocolate and cafe ice cream.  After we enjoyed our treat and the satisfaction of knowing we were way closer to home, we hoped into taxis for the last leg of our journey.

Not knowing a specific address for the compound of where we are staying, we told our driver a land mark which brought us into the area and then we were able to direct him from there.

And we made it! We made it home.

It was a crazy day. A sabbath day unlike any other. But a normal day as far as us seeing the hand of the Lord and how He truly provides for His children. 

As we were going from transportation to transportation I could not help but give it to the Lord and bring glory to His name when things completely out of our control fell into place. 

As a sweet kid in Cambodia once told me: “Muscles and Jesus”. 

Jesus was our guide that day providing for us, protecting us and loving us as we set out through a crazy journey of fun.