Blessing In Disguise -

It's funny how things don't always go how we would like, and how that is not always a bad thing. 

Our Speed-The-Light Vehicle is out of commission for awhile.  I am not sure for how long.  It is a used vehicle, a 2005 Hyundai Terracon SUV with about 140,000 kilometers on it.  It was first the vehicle of different missionaries in Buenos Aires for several years.  They have relocated and was available for us to use.  It is my first diesel vehicle and I did not realize how fickle they are.  It requires using only the top grade of diesel.  One time, while driving in the middle of no where, I had to fill the tank with the only diesel they had available - a low grade. 

After that it started to have trouble starting.  It would run great, but you often it would not start.  Slowly but surely the problem has gotten worse and worse - to the point that now it will not start at all.  I had a few different mechanics listen to it and take a look at it.  They all told me the same thing.  The injectors are having issues.  It will most likely not be a cheap fix.  If they only have to be taken apart and cleaned - $500.  If they have to be replaced all together - $2,000.  Either way, I don't have the money to do it right now...so I have taken to walking everywhere. 

To be sure, it is not what I would have wanted, BUT, it has truly been a blessing in disguise.  I have learned and experienced a lot that I would never have while driving. 
* Walking is much slower and more open-air than driving, so...
- I have noticed many things about my city and its residents that I would not have noticed while driving.  It has been truly enlightening and I thank God for it.
- I identify much more with the people around me now.  So many people here do not have a car, or if they do, it is not road worthy for trips outside the area.  As I walk everywhere I get lots of looks from people.  I think they are amazed to see a "gringo" walking instead of driving & it puts us on more of an equal level in their minds. 
- I get lots of time to pray & intercede for Jujuy.  What would take 5 minutes to drive takes 20 minutes or more to walk.  It has been an amazing time to fight spiritually for the city and province of Jujuy.  I love it! 
- It is multitasking in nature.  I rarely can find the time to get sufficient exercise.  Now I get it all the time.  lol.  20 minutes to & from the church each morning for prayer/ 10 minutes each way to take Nate to and from school/ 30 + minutes each way into the center of town for shopping, appointments, etc. 

* It has opened up new experiences in travel as well...
- I have learned how to flag down a taxi here, how to give directions their way, how much it costs to get places, and had great and enlightening conversations with the drivers
- I have started to learn about the local bus system which is very extensive.  Since so many people do not have cars, they take the bus (or several different connections) to get to work.  It is slow (long circuitous routes) but very cheap - $.40 get almost all the way across the city. 
- I have learned a lot about taking the bus cross country.  Wow!  There are a LOT of options, and often the schedules stink (lots of middle of the night driving) but that is how people get around.  I went to 2 different pastors meetings abroad - EVERY PASTOR BUT 1 took a bus to get there.  Incredible! 
- It elevates me in peoples' eyes.  When people learn about my car issues, the inability to just pay for it without any trouble, my need to & willingness to take the bus to come meet & minister with and to them - well, it blew them away a bit.  They are not used to seeing gringos willingly suffer along side of them I think.

So, while it is not what I asked for (I asked Him to heal the car!) and it certainly is not what I would have wished for (it is going into winter here and I had to walk 40 minutes to get to a WiFi coffee shop in just above freezing temps - seriously, it was 36 when I got the the coffee shop/ gas station and the sun had been up for an hour.  My face is still stiff from the cold! : )  - it HAS BEEN an incredible blessing, ground-leveling situation, and teaching tool from God that I thank Him for. 

Do I need to and want to get the car fixed.  Of course.  It also has been a blessing to people here as we give them rides to events, etc.  Also, it will be a pain to travel cross-country with the entire fam by bus.  And, while it is cheaper for me when I travel alone, it is actually more expensive when buying fare for 5 people vs traveling in the car. 

BUT, I still plan on walking A LOT even after the car is repaired.  This is a blessing and a teacher that I do not want to lose sight of. 

Blessings upon you all.  Look for your own Blessings in Disguise.  They are usually not what we would like or ask for - but we need them.  : )

Chau.