Nov 26, 2019 Don’t worry. They’ll meet you there.

It was the first Sabbath morning of their mission trip to the Dominican Republic. The night before, there had been a heavy rainstorm and the air was still heavy with humidity.

Team members, Michelle and Dr. Gary climbed into their van excited to be heading to the Jaquimeyes church for Sabbath school. Gary greeted the driver, but was surprised to find that he and Michelle were the only passengers.

Where are our translators? He asked?

Oh, don’t worry, said the driver. They’ll meet you there.

They arrived early at the church and discovered that there were already nearly 30 children there waiting for the program to begin. They looked around for their translators, but found none.

Michelle hadn’t even expected to be on a mission trip but God had other plans. Now, she was dropped right in the thick of it that Sabbath morning, with a bunch of rambunctious kids in a tiny, sauna of a room.

Michelle took a deep breath and dived into the program. She sang with them and told them about Jesus. And though she had no translator, she rocked the program anyway utilizing her limited Spanish skills and giving the kids a fun Sabbath school.

Dr. Gary, on the other hand, was getting nervous very nervous about the church sermon for the adults. I hope a translator shows up, he said to their driver. I don’t know how I’m going to preach otherwise.

As Sabbath school concluded Dr. Gary began to get increasingly anxious. He whispered a prayer. God heard his prayer. As Dr. Gary prepared to step onto the platform for church a car came careening up and stopped short in front of the building.

Sorry I’m late! said Florentino, jumping out of the car. I’m the head elder at my church and I couldn’t get away until just now.”

And with a little prayer of thanksgiving Dr. Gary and Florentino went directly to the pulpit and delivered the message of how much Jesus loves us and cares for the smallest things in our livesÑlike making sure that a translator arrives at exactly the right moment.

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Mission Moment: Expect the Unexpected