The Truck

 I must tell you the news about this faithful warrior, (Our truck).   Blet Jaw said he would like to get the truck checked over to make sure everything is good and strong.  I agreed with him because just a little while ago a truck malfunctioned on one of those 20% grades and crashed down the ravine, killing 2 people.  (Not the first time something like that has happened).  Our truck seemed to be driving well.  It didn’t appear to me to have any problems other than the loose CV joints on the 4 wheel drive.  They are never tight enough and always making a bad noise.  Therefore, that was all I expected when I took it to the mechanic in Mae Sot.  I was surprised to find out that there were so many things wrong, that I cannot mention it all here. Many seals, ball joints, springs, joints, ties, bushings, gaskets, etc. were found to be worn out or totally broken.  The brakes were bad and even the steering column had a problem!  This work might save our lives!  I asked if it was because the truck was weak.  The man told me that it was a good truck, just that the roads were so bad we must expect things to wear out quickly.Next we ordered a winch and chains.  These are things we needed to get for a long time, but now because the conditions are so bad, it seems imperative.While the winch is being put on, I stock up on medicine and supplies. It is difficult to keep enough medicine, in stock for just one month let alone 3 or 4 months of rain.  God will stretch it out and help us make it. OK.  The winch is on, the truck is ready and I am driving back to the school.  Suddenly I realize that the truck has lost power, it barely goes through the gears!  As I try to think about what might be wrong, I glance out the mirror and to my horror see billows of black smoke!!  It surely looks like a serious fatal disease to me.  I call the mechanic and have to limp back, stay the night and bring the truck in the next morning.  To my relief it was not a fatal disease at all, but only warn-out flattened hoses coming from the turbo that needed replacing.   Providential that it happened now and not halfway up the mountain!We will leave in the morning!  Though the roads are bad, but God will make a way.  I just read this quote:“Often the Christian’s life is beset by dangers and duty seems hard to perform.  The imagination pictures impending ruin before and bondage or death behind, yet the voice of God speaks clearly, “Go forward.”  We should obey this command, even though our eyes cannot penetrate the darkness, and we feel the cold waves about our feet.  The obstacles that hinder our progress, will never disappear before a halting, doubting spirit.  Those who defer obedience till every shadow of uncertainty disappears and there remains no risk of failure or defeat, will never obey at all. Unbelief whispers, “Let us wait till the obstructions are removed, and we can see our way clearly,” but faith courageously urges an advance, hoping all things, believing all things.”  Patriarchs and Prophets 290