Harrismith

So I've just this evening got back from a brief trip to Harrismith with Themba and Alain from Hope Church. Themba's family live in Harrismith, which is about 4 hours drive inland from Durban, and we were going there i) As he needed to visit his family because of cultural issues (again) flaring up regarding his upcoming marriage to Vicky, an English girl in Hope Church, ii) So that I could visit a proper township and spend some time there, iii) So that we could deliver a donation of our old drums and sound equipment to another church in a place called Kestell, not too far from Harrismith.

Because of the third reason we really needed to take my car, as it was the only one that had the space, apart from Drew's wagon that absolutely swills petrol. Turns out we would have been better off taking Drew's after all!

While there's so much to tell about the journey and all the resulting things, I just want to tell you what the state of play is now because things are really getting quite extraordinary with this car (for those not aware this is the latest in an unremitting stream of disaster attached to this vehicle!) and I need you all to stand with me in prayer. Maybe it's all a sovereign work of God, maybe there's some element of spiritual opposition, and just maybe it's both? While I'm trying not to put myself in the same boat as Job too much (I've certainly grumbled more than he over a lot less!), clearly that was a case where it was both. So please do read and then pray to the God who delights to move mountains over a mustard seed sized bit of faith. Thanks!

So, what happened was that we drove for a good while on a lovely day when out of nowhere my car just died and we had to pull over. It did start again, but quickly died once more. Thankfully a tow truck was pulled over right away who was also an agent for Outsurance, my car insurer, who also provide breakdown assistance. So before long we were being towed to his nearby service centre. The problem - fuel starvation, i.e. not enough fuel getting into the engine to keep it running. The cause? Well, when they looked at it they found the fuel filter was pretty clogged and so that would likely be the culprit. Once replaced we went for a test drive and it seemed to be working like a charm once more. Being halfway to Harrismith we took a collective decision that we should press on, and so we did for about another 100 miles until suddenly the same thing happened again! ARGH! This time no tow truck was waiting for us, but Outsurance did bend the rules a bit and grant me another callout. So my car then got towed to (then) nearby Ladysmith to be looked at the next day by a mechanic.

Turns out the fuel pump is putting out only about half the pressure it should be, and the new fuel filter probably just helped it run a little further on its last legs rather than solving the problem. Thing is we had no way to get to Ladysmith ourselves and still needed to go to Harrismith, so some delightful Christian guys from Kestell came and got us along with the equipment, fed us, and then took us to Harrismith. Plan would be to go to Ladysmith and get the car - once fixed - and then drive home (towing to Durban would be over £200). Problem is that they can't get the appropriate fuel pump there in Ladysmith. So we had to take a taxi (basically a minibus, but reasonable price) back to Durban. To get the car fixed I need to locate the part, take it to the mechanic in Ladysmith (3 hours drive away), and then wait for him to fit it, pay for his labour, and drive home just hoping that it makes it back! To get the part however I can either go direct to Saab and pay a probable £350-400, or can potentially find one through an independent specialist for less than £100 (I've spoken to the guy and he says he has supplied fuel pumps for Saabs like mine before). For the second option to happen, he needs to see the exact part, which means now I've got to go to Ladysmith and bring it back, before getting the part next week sometime and taking it back to Ladysmith! It's going to be a long week!

So here's what you can pray:

• That when Themba and I go to Ladysmith tomorrow (Friday) that we have a safe journey with no more hiccups.
• That we get the part without any problems.
• That the guy I'm dealing with can get the part quickly.
• That the guy who needs to fit it doesn't charge me too much and continues to be understanding.
• That when I drive my car back it gets all the way home.
• That when I get this car home I find favour and am able to sell it, trade it in, or just do something that means I get rid of it and get something that doesn't cause me all this hassle and drain on my pockets.
• That God provides the means to pay for everything I need to pay for in this great debacle.

Thanks so much. It feels very much like you could say, "Fat lot of good praying has done so far!" but I'm certain that if we continue steadfastly we shall reap the benefits of doing so.