Say Good-Bye to the Hornet...

We had traveled over 1500 miles at speeds of 60-70 mph. We were only 50 miles from our destination in Kaplan, Louisiana, stopping at a gas station to fill up one last time for several days. While we drove we had been reading out loud the book "Radical" by David Platt. Amazing read. I was just finishing up a text to our missions pastor updating our journey so far, feeling like we were close enough to do so (What could possibly change so much in an hour?!) also knowing that our cell reception in Kaplan would be minimal at best. This is what the update read:

We hitched the camper up in Buffalo Monday in the frigid cold and have been driving ever since- Praise the Lord for that! Except for some blizzard conditions late last night in Memphis, our travels have been uneventful which is unusual for us! 

We are nearly to the Hayes and are looking forward to the reunion with them. Sunday the 30th begins our first of nearly a dozen meetings and conferences that will bring us through several states and as many weeks of travel. We are thankful for the rest we had over the holidays but are excited to be on the road again. 

We appreciate your continued prayers that we see Jesus every step we take and that our lives reflect him in all we do. As we begin this first week of travel the Lord is making clear he wants us who take HIS name to surrender to his leading and live our lives on purpose for his purpose.

Real, radical, and resting solely in him. To God be all glory! 

Your missionaries to Zambia, 

Dan Jalowiec &  family

~SEND~


The next thing I hear is "Dad!" and I feel a jolt on the van. I look back to see our camper 10 feet behind us and about 6 feet to the left of the van. 

We get out of the van to this initial site. Our bumper hitch was broken and bent, completely ripped off of our van.

As close as possible, this is a recounting of the conversation between me and the Lord throughout the "incident" involving The Hornet.

(we walk out to see the camper...)

Me: "Oh Dear God! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN!?"
God:  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts," 

(we quickly realize this is no small fender-bender)
Me: "Lord, this is the only home we have right now...!
God: "neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD" Isaiah 55:8

(I don't even know how to answer my children's constant stream of questions)
Me: "God how will this effect my kids?!" 
God: "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, ..."

Me: "Why in the world did this happen?"  
God: "as though some strange thing happened unto you:" I Peter 4:12

Me: "Oh Lord I cannot handle this right now. We have been traveling for three days and I am exhausted." 

God: "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10

Me: "God we are so far from home!"
God: "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; ..."

Me: "And this is our only home until April!"
God: "he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: ..." 

Me: "I have no idea what to do Lord!"
God: "fear not, neither be dismayed." Deuteronomy 31:8

Me: "Will this be able to be fixed?!"
God: "For I have been a shelter for you, ..." 

Me: "Lord what are people going to think?!"
God: "and a strong tower from the enemy." Psalm 61:3

Me: "I cannot see how we are going to get through this one." 
God: "Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: ..."

Me: "Is this really your best plan for us?"
God: "...set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the LORD with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed;"  II Chronicles 20:17

God: "Janice... do you trust me in this?"

Me: "Lord, to whom shall I go? thou hast the words of eternal life." John 6:68

There is so much more to still learn regarding this situation, and for now we are so thankful to be with amazing friends that have gone through so much more than we have. We are ministering to each other in ways that only God could orchestrate. We trailered our other camper over 12,000 miles with not one incident... and thankfully so because it was not insured. We have yet to make the first payment on this camper, and the insurance adjuster has totaled it due to the damage done... at 5 miles per hour. The Lord surely does work in mysterious ways. I am learning to not even try to figure them out. Just walk in the bitty bit of light I have in front of me... and to BE STILL and KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!