Our van's new owner...

Windstar at Russell & Smith Ford in Houston...

Russel & Smith where we got the difficult news about our Windstar...

A recent drive to Houston, TX became the last drive we would take in an auto we have owned for 13 years.  Our Ford Windstar had 148,000 miles, had been very well maintained but developed a radiator leak which affected the cooling system and resulted in revealing other more serious issues.  After driving over 2 hours of our 4 hour trip without ac, we arrived in Houston and found a Ford dealership near our hotel.  They assessed the situation, gave us the difficult news and we decided it was time to make another choice for our personal auto - repairs would cost more than its worth and it was not expected to make the 4 hour drive back to our home without repairs.
Our return was on Megabus.  Really a great way to travel which we would recommend to anyone.

So we began a search for a new car and soon became the owners of a 2011 Toyota Sienna minivan.  We are thankful for its upgrades and comfort compared to our "Senior Years" Windstar though we have loved our "faithful friend".

Knowing that the Windstar had some value, we began to plan what to do with it.  Fortunately, Russell & Smith allowed us to leave it at their business for up to 30 days at no charge. 


A neighbor encouraged us to list the van on Craigs List.  He happened to be in Houston, went by Russell & Smith, took photos and advised the creation of a listing.  That listing generated a few calls but none that seemed viable or worthy.  We also began a search for a ministry to which we could donate the vehicle.

John with Sylvia and others at the Pregnancy Center...

The Houston Pregnancy Help Center was only 5 miles from where the car was parked and they would be delighted to receive it as a gift.  John's next scheduled appointment for his PPMI Study, was to be on July 9th.  This was perfect timing for us to drive to Houston, retrieve the car and take it to its new home at the Houston Pregnancy Help Center.

We arrived there about 3:30 PM on the 8th and they were delighted and gracious.  After our contact with them, Sylvia had called a member of her board who owns a Houston car dealership and he had said, "Yes, take it.  I can repair it for your use or sell it at auction for at least $700.00!"  Our hearts soared as we heard these words - another reason for trusting that God was answering our prayers for guidance and wisdom. 

John and Sylvia were both ready for the necessary paperwork.

And Sylvia gathered her staff with us for a prayer of heartfelt gratitude...

One last item...

"Windstar, meet Sienna."

So it has been a blessed opportunity and we are very grateful for God's presence throughout it all.  It just may be that this "bump in the road" for us is God's divine intervention to provide this Houston Pregnancy Help Center with a vehicle they have been needing in order to provide all of the services they offer.  And it's a provision that matches our long time support of ministry that cares for women and their unborn babies.  John currently serves as president of the board of THE Pregnancy Resource Center in Kerrville, TX and we previously served as houseparents for pregnant girls at a home in Kerrville.  

As we drove away yesterday after the title and keys were turned over to Sylvia, John said,

"I feel really good about this."  And I wholeheartedly agreed.

This morning as we read the Daily Reflection of The High Calling based on Ephesians 3:16, this paragraph underscored the rightness of our decision in our current car journey.

"When we draw strength from the indwelling Spirit, we find peace and confidence that exceed our own capabilities. We find compassion to love those who are otherwise unlovable. We find strength to serve, love, and sacrifice in ways that imitate Jesus himself. The Spirit of God empowers us to minister in the church and the world—wherever we are—in amazing ways, so that God's purposes might be advanced through us."  Mark D. Roberts