Bus Breakdowns (emphasis on the plural Downs)
Well today was an interesting day for the Potomac team.
The morning started off fairly normal, we cleaned the Virginia Beach Community of Grace Church and hit the road for Buena Vista, our next stop. As planned, we stopped for lunch then drove for a few hours. And well, that's when things started getting a little 'interesting'.
We pulled off the highway to get some gas and for a quick restroom break. We told the students to move quickly because we had a tight schedule to keep. So a few minutes go by, and that's when it happened, or should i say, didn't happen. Everyone was loaded on the bus and so the bus driver at the time, Stacie, turned the key, and nothing happened.
So Stacie turned the key again. . . nothing.
Again. . . nothing.
So after some prayer we had everyone unload the bus. The leaders met and started making phone calls in a stage of frantic confusion. None of us knew the first thing about working on a diesel bus engine.
A few hours go by. And we are still at the same gas station... broken down.
Finally, a mechanic showed up, sprinkled some magic dust powder on the bus (for a more technical term I'll say he 'ghetto rigged it' and 'jumped it' with some jumper cables).
At last, we are on the road! And we were excited, Buena Vista GBC, here we come!
Well a few hours go by, by this time we are about an hour or so behind schedule and we were in need of another break. (I know what you're thinking. . .Another break? Hey, when you have 30 high school students who still don't have full function over their bladder there's not much you can do!)
So we stopped at a gas station. Unloaded the students, refilled the gas tank, loaded the students back on, put the key in the ignition, and . . . you guessed it! Nothing!! We had broken down again!
This time it took us about 3 hours before we got the bus started again. And by around 9PM we finally made it to Buena Vista.
So, from a human perspective this day was a disaster! We missed a half a day of ministry and we spent some money on needed bus repairs. However, God had a plan.
During our travels, or should I say, travel rests, the students got to share their faith several times with several people at the gas stations. A passing by woman, (by God's grace) bought everyone snacks because we had missed dinner. She spent at least 40 dollars in snacks for us.
So people heard the gospel, people were minstered to, and our character was tested. So again I ask myself. . . was it really a terrible day?
You decide.
God has His plan, and we can only follow it day by day, hour by hour, break down to break down.
Please pray for the people who heard the good news this day. Please also pray for our ministry here in Buena Vista.
Students pray for the community in Virginia Beach, VA.
Hannah B., Annie M., and Ashton R. pray in the church parking lot.
Sam H., Kimmie L., and Kelli W. on their prayer walk.
Anyone know how to fix a bus? Help!
Aaron C. and Allan D. noticed the opportunity to clean some windows.
The convenience store gets a little sparkle and shine as Bri D., Joe H., and Jackie L. wipe down counters.
Kelli W. and Ashton R. shake out a rug at the gas station.
Learning about "taming the tongue" during some down time.
Praying for the bus at the 2nd break down.
"Thank you very much" for blessing us with snacks!
The morning started off fairly normal, we cleaned the Virginia Beach Community of Grace Church and hit the road for Buena Vista, our next stop. As planned, we stopped for lunch then drove for a few hours. And well, that's when things started getting a little 'interesting'.
We pulled off the highway to get some gas and for a quick restroom break. We told the students to move quickly because we had a tight schedule to keep. So a few minutes go by, and that's when it happened, or should i say, didn't happen. Everyone was loaded on the bus and so the bus driver at the time, Stacie, turned the key, and nothing happened.
So Stacie turned the key again. . . nothing.
Again. . . nothing.
So after some prayer we had everyone unload the bus. The leaders met and started making phone calls in a stage of frantic confusion. None of us knew the first thing about working on a diesel bus engine.
A few hours go by. And we are still at the same gas station... broken down.
Finally, a mechanic showed up, sprinkled some magic dust powder on the bus (for a more technical term I'll say he 'ghetto rigged it' and 'jumped it' with some jumper cables).
At last, we are on the road! And we were excited, Buena Vista GBC, here we come!
Well a few hours go by, by this time we are about an hour or so behind schedule and we were in need of another break. (I know what you're thinking. . .Another break? Hey, when you have 30 high school students who still don't have full function over their bladder there's not much you can do!)
So we stopped at a gas station. Unloaded the students, refilled the gas tank, loaded the students back on, put the key in the ignition, and . . . you guessed it! Nothing!! We had broken down again!
This time it took us about 3 hours before we got the bus started again. And by around 9PM we finally made it to Buena Vista.
So, from a human perspective this day was a disaster! We missed a half a day of ministry and we spent some money on needed bus repairs. However, God had a plan.
During our travels, or should I say, travel rests, the students got to share their faith several times with several people at the gas stations. A passing by woman, (by God's grace) bought everyone snacks because we had missed dinner. She spent at least 40 dollars in snacks for us.
So people heard the gospel, people were minstered to, and our character was tested. So again I ask myself. . . was it really a terrible day?
You decide.
God has His plan, and we can only follow it day by day, hour by hour, break down to break down.
Please pray for the people who heard the good news this day. Please also pray for our ministry here in Buena Vista.
Students pray for the community in Virginia Beach, VA.
Hannah B., Annie M., and Ashton R. pray in the church parking lot.
Sam H., Kimmie L., and Kelli W. on their prayer walk.
Anyone know how to fix a bus? Help!
Aaron C. and Allan D. noticed the opportunity to clean some windows.
The convenience store gets a little sparkle and shine as Bri D., Joe H., and Jackie L. wipe down counters.
Kelli W. and Ashton R. shake out a rug at the gas station.
Learning about "taming the tongue" during some down time.
Praying for the bus at the 2nd break down.
"Thank you very much" for blessing us with snacks!