“Tube from Heaven”
The big day had finally arrived. After 20 weeks of intense training, I was ready to embark on my first triathlon, a half Ironman. It was an exciting moment as I jumped into the water with my wave of about 100 other participants. After about 46 min and 1.2 miles later I walked up onto the shore elated that the first step had been completed.
Stripping off my wet suit, I moved into the transition area where I put on the rest of my cycling gear – helmet, shoes, gloves and of course, the power bars and gels. I checked the tire pressure one more time and ran to the starting line. Jumping on my trustworthy bike which had taken the punishment of hour after hour of training, I rode off with upmost confidence that there wouldn’t be any problems. I rode down the hill, and not even a mile away from the start, my front tire went completely flat. In that moment my whole world stopped - I realized that I didn’t have a spare, pump or proper tools. My heart sank. The only thought that I had was how this could’ve happened when I was just starting to embark on fulfilling a long time dream of mine?! I just didn’t know what to do. I didn’t know if I should cry or laugh at my problematic situation. It was a moment of complete despair.
Fortunately, the incident happened at a corner where there was a policeman and an official. The helpful policeman agreed to call and see if the helping van was close by in order to come and help. This was a glimmer of hope in a desperate situation. But … there were 56 miles of road ahead and the van could be anywhere. I asked what time it was and found out that my swim took shorter than expected so I had about an hour to play with in order to make the time cut off. So decisions had to be made … do I wait or do I walk to the start to see if someone could help without being disqualified in the process. At that moment there appeared a man who just happened to park in a lot on the other side of the street. He asked what was wrong. After he saw the situation he said he just happened to have an extra tube and a pump. He went to his car and got the pump and tube. The only thing lacking was a tool but that did not stop his determination – he used the back end of a key! As we were in the process he mentioned that he had a bike identical to mine. I kept thanking him and said he must be an Angel. I asked how in the world I could ever thank him – he said there was no need to thank him just go out and have a fun race. I said thank you one more time, put my feet into the pedals and hit the road. What a great blessing from a faithful God – A tube from Heaven.
Completing the cycling, I moved into transition and on to the run. During the biking and running, I continually thought about how God had provided and not only provided, but how He even provides in the small things.
The tube I received was an incredible blessing. It reminded me that even in the small things of this world, God is faithful – This was a personal dream of mine and God was faithful in letting me complete it.
We are scheduled to go back to Poland on the 25th of August. We are dreaming and are excited about what God is doing and so desire to proceed further and deeper in the Lubin Church plant. We believe that just like the tube that God faithfully provided He will also provide the $700 per month that we are short. Would you pray with us to this end?
Prayer Points:
- Continue to pray for Andrew at his two-week handball camp back in Poland.
- Pray for the finances to come in: monthly support, Lubin church sound system project, Eager vehicle project.
- Good remaining 2 ½ weeks in the U.S. with family and friends and that everything will get done.
- Ukraine missions trip with youth from our church in Lubin and our Mother church (last two weeks in August) - safety, Spiritual fruit and wisdom for all involved.
Blessings, Paul, Carlene – Andrew, Aaron and Alaina
Mission: SEND International * PO Box 513 * Farmington, MI * 48332 * (248) 477-4210 * Info@send.org Home Address: ul. Malinowa 2 * 59-300 * Lubin * Poland +(48+ 76) 844 1351*
Vonage Phone number: 574-830-1260
