"How to Start a Car in Faith" For Dummies

I frequently checked my watch today, knowing I would need to leave the village by 5:55 pm to be able to pick up my friends for bible study this evening.

Of course, the minutes ticked by, as they normally do, and I found myself trying to wrap up conversation before I knew it.  It can be so terribly hard to get away in this culture.  I learned not too long ago the term, "voy a llegar."  In it's literal translation this means "I'm going to arrive," but it really means, "I have to leave because I have some place to be."  This is apparently more polite than saying "me voy" or "I'm leaving."  Point taken.

"Voy a llegar!" I exclaimed as I began heading towards my car.  I hurriedly made my exit with some of my usual escorts of Iliani, Rosaura, and Jordany.  After rushed hugs, kisses, and goodbyes, I closed my car door and anxiously turned my keys in the ignition as I once again looked down at my watch.

Click.

Nothing.

Click.  Click. Click.

Nothing... Nothing... Nothing.

I let out a long sigh and began proclaiming the name of Jesus, pleading the blood of Jesus, and calling on the breath of God to breathe on my car.   Of all times!

I popped the hood to look underneath and everything looked fine (yes, I now have a somewhat working knowledge of how things should look under the hood of this car of mine...).  I sat back down in the driver's seat and began turning the key again.

Click.  Nothing.

I then turn to my right to see the faces of Iliani, Rosaura, and Jordany pressed against the passenger side window.  

"Your car won't start?"  Rosaura asked as she and the others came around to my side.

"Do you believe Jesus can start my car?"  I said to the cute faces looking up at me.

"Si!" they all said, nodding their heads in agreement.

"Ok, who's gonna pray?"

First Rosaura began by giving thanks to God (uh, why didn't I think of that?).  Then she began thanking God for her parents and for God's protection before asking God to fix my car.  Then 4 year-old Jordany interjected with the simplest request...

"God, please start Lauren's car.  In Jesus' name, amen."

"Amen.  Ok, let's start this car in faith!" I said, looking at the excitement in their eyes.  

I have to admit, I was a little nervous.  I believed God can start my car... they believed God could start my car... now it was just a matter of if God would start my car.

"VROOOOM!"

HALLELUJAH! 

The three kids began jumping with joy! We all embraced each other in hugs again and I told them to go home and tell their families that God just started my car through their prayer of faith!

I know without a doubt in my mind that God heard my prayers and could have answered me like that.  But God loves being glorified, and though this hardly merits a "miracle" status, God works signs and wonders to point His children back to Himself.  

God has recently placed it on my heart to pray that the kids and their families would experience God's power at work in their lives through their prayers of faith.  There is not a day that I go out to visit now that someone doesn't ask for prayer.  And what's beautiful to witness is the girls turning to each other and asking, "do you believe Jesus can do it?"  

Faith the size of a mustard seed.  That's all we need.  

Little did I know that God would manifest His power in such a way, at such a time.  As many problems I've experienced with this car, I know God led me to it... and perhaps for such a time as this.

I know this is just the beginning of what God wants to show this village.  

He's just getting started.

(And don't worry... I'll be taking my car back in soon.  Keep an eye out for my new book "How to Start a Car in Faith" For Dummies... do I have stories to tell...)