And the Lord takes
Yep. The van is a goner.
I can’t say that I love every experience God provides to give Him glory, but I learned when I was young that He is worthy of glory no less when it feels like we’ve suffered loss. And on top of that, I’ve seen so many times how God blesses those who trust in Him. He is no man’s debtor.
I’ve just got home from one of the more interesting trips I’ve made out to Ulyaniki (where we are setting up the rehab centre). I got a call from Pavel, who’s been using the van for stuff connected with setting up the centre telling me to call the fire department because the van’s on fire. I did so and then called Shane asking him come pick me up, knowing that there probably wouldn’t be much left when we arrived.
We could see the smoke as soon as we turned up the main street through the village, so there were no real surprises when we drove up. Yet I was still impressed with the flames and (pretty much) total destruction that was happening throughout the van.
Pavel had been backing the trailer into the yard to load it up with the bricks and mud from the wall we’ve been taking out to create one large room in the house. He heard a bang from under the bonnet and then saw flames spew out. He leapt out and looked for something to put the flames out but couldn’t even open the bonnet to get to them. And so the van burned.
Sergei, the mechanic I like to use, also works as a firefighter. He got the boys out to Ulyaniki in less time than I expected and put the fire out. We were a bit concerned during the height of the “pyre” that it might spread to the buildings, but apart from the electricity lines overhead, the things surrounding the van weren’t damaged.
Pavel diligently informed me that at the start of any serious work for the Lord, things like this happen. He may be right. :) I diligently inform you that this is something I’m sure God will use for His glory. His strength is infinitely greater than that of any demonic powers that exist and God effectively chose to bring this about. The reason? I’m not sure we’ll find out, but we probably will. It isn’t a small loss for us, but based on my knowledge of God delighting in those who trust in Him, “we’re all good”, for we know Him to be wise and perfect in every way.
Here’s a bit of the video we took when we first arrived: