Faith and Trust

Ron Crawford has a very personal illustration to share during his Bible study tonight with the Rock Island (high school) kids. The study happens to be about faith and trust.

He'll tell them the story of how his truck burned up last night on the side of the highway. Hauling home his lawnmower and grill after an evening at the mission, somehow the lawnmower ignited in the back of the Avalanche (that had the plastic liner). After he saw the flames, pulled over and ran to the back of the truck to try to pull the lawnmower out of the back of the truck, an angel pulled him back to say, "it's not worth it. It's just stuff." Within seconds the vehicle was engulfed in flames.

What's left is a shell of a vehicle - scorched and melted.

Also gone - the lawn mower, the grill, and "the office" he carried along in his vehicle - phone, Ipod, camera, along with some other stuff. Irreplaceable. Yes. Insurance. Yes. But still - it's a blow, especially for an inner-city missionary.

Ron and Sue are smiling, and you know what Ron will be telling those kids tonight? He'll tell them he knows God has his back, and he's putting his faith and trust in him to provide for every need.

Interestingly enough, Ron had to flag down a half dozen cars before anyone would stop to call 9-1-1 for him (and since HIS phone was incinerating inside the pickup). But while the truck was burning and before the authorities arrived, someone across the highway with a video camera stopped to film the "news" and sent it to News 9. It aired on the 10 pm news.

Osvaldo, who is about 12 or 13 years old and helps with the Underground elementary program, saw it on television. The image of Ron's burning truck kept him up worrying all night. He and his cousin, Stephanie, drew this picture for him.

Osvaldo was very very happy to see that Ron was safe this morning (and got a ride to work!).