|
 September 8, 2010 |
Praise Report for December 13, 2003Where else but in Africa...Or is it missions worldwide... Would your mechanic become a personal friend? A little while ago when I arrived in Kitwe and called Sergio and Nancy Bersaglio, they were at the 40th Wedding Anniversary party of their mechanic. Recently I was invited to the birthday party of the teenage daughter of my mechanic. Unfortunately I couldn't go because once again I was out of town...using up more of those kilometers that make me go back to see the mechanic! When I was privileged to visit Cote d'Ivoire and see many of the Liberian refugees that I had once worked with in Liberia, one of the happiest days was when I was able to visit the Mandingo (Muslim) fellow who always worked on my car in Zwedru. When it was time to have a farewell party for Gerald & Ruth Morrison in Nairobi with different business people they had associated with throughout the years, top on the list was Buphendra and Ichbal from the mechanic's shop. Why is it that we missionaries get so close to our mechanics? Could be several reasons... We travel so many kilometers that we see the mechanic often. Our vehicles are in such poor condition or are so old, meaning we must see the mechanic often. Because of the road conditions we travel on, keeping a vehicle in good running condition is not a luxury, it is an absolute necessity! The mechanic is sometimes our life-line...my mechanic's telephone number is in my cellphone and on my way into Lusaka I have called him about a problem I was having and before even going home, it was off to the mechanic's shop...on a Friday afternoon...because I was heading out of town again on Monday morning. Yes, my mechanic definitely does his part to keep me on the road. Trust you are doing your part too, and praying for safety as I travel and praying that little green Suzuki will not let me down. And while you are praying, would you say a prayer for that mechanic too? I really do depend on him and appreciate him so much for all his hard work, how he listens to all my complaints, tries to answer all my questions, and keeps me running on the roads of Zambia. Now I have a dream, to make life a lot easier for Mike the mechanic, to say nothing about how much easier it would make my life! Maybe you could pray about it, or would even like to be a part of fulfilling that dream. Mike has done his part to try to keep me and my Suzuki on the road. I'm not too sure if the Suzuki is strong enough to last another term. So I have checked into the price of a new Toyota Hilux Double Cab Pick-up (one more of those questions to Mike, "What would be the best vehicle for me to get, to do the kind of travelling and work that I do?") It is kind of scary...$23,000.00 US is the duty free quotation. Did I hear someone say, "With God all things are possible."? Boy, how I would like to see this as an "all thing", making it possible to put in a order for a brand new vehicle when I return to Zambia in July, 2004. Now, I've had this one in the "draft" file for awhile, thinking about it. This evening I have to take it out and put it as a Thanksgiving. That mechanic of mine, Mike, proved himself 200% this afternoon. Not having much time because I am still not packed and have bunches of things to do before leaving on Tuesday, I decided I had to take the Kerr's vehicle out to get it filled with diesel, so it was ready for them when they return on January 6th. I was driving down the road when the vehicle cut out completely. I managed to get it over to the side of the road and parked. Thinking it might be the timing belt and knowing you shouldn't continue trying to start the vehicle if that is the case, I decided I really needed help. First call was to Mike. Couldn't raise him on his cell so tried quite a few others and could raise no one. Then I thought, (late on a Saturday afternoon) "let me try the shop, just in case someone is there." What a relief to hear Mike's voice on the other end. "Hang tight my dear, (that's what he always calls me) I'm on my way. About 45 minutes later he arrives with tools, a workman, and his wife. Pam and I had a nice visit while the fellows were working on the vehicle. No go, it had to be towed to the shop. So I was driven home and the vehicle was towed to the shop. Now tell me, where else but in Africa could you get such service? Again, I really am saying, "Thank God for Mike!"
|