What Do We Do Now?

My mind is just racing right now, and I just need to get these thoughts written down so that they can start to make sense. I hope it does make sense when I am finished.

Many of you have read my blog about our upcoming move to the Kansas City area and David's new job (see the September 14th entry). He actually began this new job a few weeks ago and has been commuting - going down to KC to work for a few days and then coming back here to Des Moines for ministry events and to help with the packing. While the miles have been racking up on the van, it seemed like the perfect vehicle for us and for our ministry. It provided all of the room we needed, and it was running well. It was also coming in very handy for David to bring a load of packed items with him each time he went down, to lessen the amount that would have to be packed in the moving van.

Yesterday, David worked a full day and was to drive home in the evening so that he could get a good night's rest and then help to get packed up for a ministry event scheduled for this evening in Norfolk, Nebraska. I was expecting him to arrive home somewhere around 10:00 PM. Approximately 9:45, he called sounding very frantic. "I hit a deer! I hit a deer!" While he hadn't yet checked the damage, David said that he already knew it was bad because the airbags had deployed and the engine had died. He said he was able to get the van to the side of the road and let me know he was about 30 miles down the interstate from West Des Moines. He also let me know that he was not hurt - at least, he was not able to identify any injury at that point.

I called my brother who came to pick me up, and we drove down to meet David at the Kum and Go at the New Virginia exit where the van was towed (thanks again to the state trooper and towing guys who showed up so quickly to help him!). The damage to the front end of the van was indeed substantial. It would most likely cost us more to repair the van than what we paid for it. How one animal could do so much damage is just crazy. The towing guys said that they saw the deer by the side of the road - it was a doe and it had been killed by the impact.

While still quite shaken, David wasn't showing any indication of injury, for which I praise God. He was going about 75 when the deer jumped out of the median right in front of the van. David said he didn't even have time to react by swerving or hitting his brakes.

My brother has graciously loaned us one of his cars to use for a couple of days while we figure out what we are going to do.

So, what do we do now?

We were able to pay cash for that van...and it took every spare cent that we had available to us. We do still have the money set aside for our India missions trip, but every fiber in my body rebels against using that money for anything other than the purpose for which it was given to us - to be able to go to India. If we were to "borrow" against that account, my concern is that we won't be able to repay it in time for us to go.

With all my heart I am so thankful that David wasn't hurt. I'm so thankful that he was in the van when he hit the deer and not in the car we used to have. The outcome certainly would have been so much worse. I am so thankful that God gave us that van to use for a season - as short as it was.

It's hard to imagine what God has in store for us. It's hard to imagine where the money is going to come from to purchase a new van. It's hard to imagine how it will be possible to find another van like this one that just seemed to meet our needs so well. I had initially written that I am struggling with the "how" and "why" of this situation, and I had to erase that. I don't think that struggling is the correct word. Yes, of course, those questions are in my mind. For whom would they not be? But from the moment David first called me just seconds after he had hit the deer, I have felt a odd sense of peace and confidence - especially in what God is going to do in this situation. It makes no sense whatsoever because we are really in a pickle right now, but God is gently reminding me to remember what He's done for us in the past - how He has provided unexpectedly. He's telling me not to worry - He will provide.

It is going to be hard to be patient during this process. We had to cancel our program in Nebraska this evening because we do not have the transportation to get us and our equipment there. (This is the first time we've had to cancel a program. The disappointment on both sides is great.) David needs transportation to be able to get back down to KC to work on Friday and Saturday. Plus we are moving next week. Of all the times to have an accident and be without a vehicle, this was definitely not one of them. It's going to be hard to be patient.

But if our faith is in Jehovah Jirah (God, our Provider), then we will be patient, and we will trust in His provision.

Writing this all down has helped me to again regain my focus. It's so easy to focus on what is lost, rather that what is saved or gained. I praise God once again for keeping David safe. Vans can be replaced - loved ones cannot. God will provide what we need when we need it. We just have to be patient.

Your prayers on our behalf are greatly appreciated. Please pray for patience and for God's swift provision. I look forward to a future blog entry that will share the experience on what God has done.