The next morning, we unfortunately found that our transmission case had cracked in several places, the flywheel was shattered, and all would need to be replaced at a cost of roughly $3500.
We spent the first part of Friday looking for alternatives that might cost less like repairing and welding what we had. At about one in the afternoon I called one of our advisors to fill him in on what was going on. As I told him about the total estimate and our options, he out of the blue said, “Oh- I just had an epiphany… Can I call you right back?” The way he hung up, it was like he had left the iron plugged in or forgotten to turn the water off at home…

Literally eight minutes later, he called back. His first words, said with a slight chuckle, were, “I’m sorry, but I was only able to raise $3300.” He went on to explain that as we were speaking, God put on his mind the face of a Christian man he knew who had just sold a piece of investment property. He made a quick phone call and asked if the man had decided where he was going to sow an offering, as was his typical practice in these sales. It turned out that he had not, and with a quick explanation of what was happening, the man responded with, “Well, I was waiting to see what God would bring my way. It looks like this is it. You have $3300.”
By the end of the day Friday we had arranged for a completely new transmission to be shipped in and installed, including a 100,000 mile warranty, for $3270. More than enough. That is our God.

We will be staying this week in Rapid City, SD as we wait. We met last night with a local church pastor, and he has asked us to share our story with their congregation on Sunday. They have also graciously offered to host us for the week. We can not wait to see what God has in store in the way of divine appointments, as He surely knew we would be “delayed” here!

Isaiah 26:3-4 says that He will keep in perfect peace the one whose mind is fixed (or stayed) on the Lord. It tells us to trust in the Lord, for He is the Rock eternal. I would be lying if I said that I spent Friday morning in perfect peace, but the moment that phone call came, I quickly realized how foolish my worrying had been. We had asked God to fix the issue before something major happened. When it broke, we thought He was “arriving late.” Lazarus’s sister said the same thing…”If you’d have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”
God doesn’t “permit” bad things to happen to us, they just happen. He even warns that in this world we will have struggles. He also encourages us, however, to “take heart, for I have overcome the world.”

In our short sightedness, we failed to see that God had already positioned  a new conduit for his blessings just outside our situation, hidden in plain sight, waiting to bring a blessing greater than we had ever imagined. Today, whatever your struggle, know that He has done the same for you. After all, he changes not!
“Cast your burdens on the Lord, and he shall sustain you. He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” – Psalms 55:22

While we were there, I asked Larry if he could take a look with me at two other concerns:  the passenger side rear air bag (suspension) had a slow leak, and the dash AC on the RV has never worked. 

Over the course of the 3-4 hours that followed our arrival, we were blessed with a great time of fellowship and conversation, an oil change, dinner, a leak-free right rear airbag, and our AC issue diagnosed, isolated, and a solution planned out!  WOW!  When I reached into my pocket for my checkbook, Larry once again refused to allow us to pay him for his services.  I appreciate he and his family's contributions to what we are doing.  He is an integral part of keeping us rolling, and I pray that the blessings he receives are both eternal AND in this present time and place! 

SO… if you are ever in or around Oceanside, and you need a mechanic with amazing skill AND a great heart that I can promise will treat you fair… Let me know and I'll be GLAD to hook you up with Larry Fabbrini. 

Larry, Thank you for being a giver.  God Bless you.
Chad & Amy