Spring Break Accidental Roadtrip, Part 2

We knew that some of the local CCC staff had opted to stay in town that week, so we asked the fellas in the neighboring apartment if we could use their phone to call them.  Turns out, they hadn’t heard anything from our friends on the bus. They didn’t know anything about what  was happening.

Here we were, me, a senior in college and she, a Campus Crusade staff person, left behind by our campus for Spring Break. Now we were mad. What were they thinking leaving without us? How could they do that? I’m a student leader! She’s on staff! How could this happen? It’s not like Daytona Beach was right across town and we could get there easily. It was a 24-hour trip that was supposed to be taken in a motorcoach!

Trying to control our anger and disbelief, we needed to make a decision. What to do? For me, I had nothing to go back to in Eau Claire. The dorms are locked up over Spring Break so I had no place to go for the week. Sandy could have decided to just take the week off and go back to her apartment. But she didn’t. We talked about our options. We decided to go to the airport in Madison to see if there might be any last-minute flight deals down to Daytona Beach. Seriously, that’s what we did.

Maybe we had heard one too many outlandish stories of God’s incredible provision, but when we saw that flights were way too expensive, we began to paint a scenario in our minds. In that scenario, quite out of the blue someone walks up to us and hands us two plane tickets saying, “I’m not sure why, but God told me to give you these plane tickets.” So, we waited. Really, we did.  We waited for that person to realize that God was telling them to give us plane tickets so we could be on our way.  Apparently, that person refused to listen to the still-small voice of God that day, because we were back to square one, stranded in Madison.

Walking back to the Sentra, Sandy said, “Well, I’m up for driving if you are.” I definitely was, so we decided to go for it.

Now, I would be lying if I told you that my only reason for wanting to get to Daytona was to be a part of the conference and see my friends. That’s was certainly true, but by this time I was really mad at my friends for leaving me. I knew just how it had gone…”Do you think we should have waited for Bob and Sandy?” one of them would have said. “Nah,” was the reply, “we gave them five minutes. They should know not to be late. Let’s get going. Besides, it will be more comfortable with two less seats filled.”

Suddenly that map of the US freeways came in very handy. Heading out of town, we made a quick stop at a gas station to fill up the tank. Since we were still unsure of the reliability of the windshield wipers, we also bought a product that you smear on your windshield that magically repels rain. We also picked up some snacks for the road. It was dark by this time, probably around 9p.m. as we circled the on-ramp for Interstate 90 headed toward the Atlantic Ocean.

I remember getting tired somewhere in Indiana. Sandy was at the wheel, and it had rained on and off most of the trip so far. Making sure she would be okay if I tried to sleep, the next thing I knew we were pulling into a McDonald’s just outside of Nashville for breakfast.

Inside, the smell of hotcakes and coffee revived my senses. At the counter I noticed a copy of the local newspaper. The headline read, “Tornadoes in Indiana kill 7 people.”

Showing it to Sandy I said, “Uh, did you notice anything bad weather-wise last night?”

“You know, there were a couple of clouds that looked like funnel clouds, now that you mention it.”

Maybe it was good that I slept through it. I told her though, “Next time, if that happens, wake me up, okay?”

Before leaving Nashville, I found a pay phone and called my dad who was at that time living in a suburb of Atlanta.  I explained what had happened and why I was making an unexpected trip through town and we made plans for Sandy and me to stop by for lunch before continuing on to Florida.

Comments

[Heidi Thompson]

Hi Bob

A long time has passed since that trip! Sandy's husband actually stood up in our wedding - ironic isn't it.

Well I enjoyed reading about the adventure again and hope all is well with you. My husband and I live in the cities with our three children.

Glad to hear you are still with CC and we will keep your ministry in our prayers.

Do you know of any student who could use some financial support for Christmas Conference?

Sincerely
Heidi Thompson (UW-EC)

Heidi Thompson (

[Bob Fuhs]

Heidi,

For some reason I just saw your comment. Oops! I'm a bad blogger!
Thanks for commenting and thanks for praying for us! If you send me your snail-mail address, I'd love to add you to our ministry newsletter address so you can see some specific prayer requests.
Also, I am sure there will be students in need of help getting to Christmas conference. Let me know how I should have them contact you or how you'd like to make a gift for that.