Any scripture used, is using KJV
Our contractors had built a retaining wall using stones from Menard with stairs leading upto to main house, from our pond/future garden area. This wall had some challenges when they had first built it, and they redid it to ensure it was solid.
I had to pickup my trailer as I was transporting few garden items and as I tried to back up my truck (Chevy Colorado), the wall gave way and started to collapse. It just happened in a split second and I didnt have time to do anything and my truck started sliding down the wall, which is about 4-5ft high and it was about to topple over and roll to the pond, when I cried out to The Most High and it stopped. I jumped out after being shaken out of the shock and ensure, the truck didnt slide further and assessed the situation.
It was actually worse than what it looks in the picture.
What follows is the testimony of how God saved me again, through His grace and His people.
To AAA or not?
When I have gotten stuck with my vehicle in past, I call AAA as we are members and most of the times they work out. But this time around, the first thing I did was to pray and then sent an email to my church community of few men, whom I thought knew what to do in hauling out stuck things, due to their vocation and general smartness around moving heavy things. A brother and friend, who is helping us with our house drywall had doctor appointment and couldnt come to help, but a dear brother called me back upon receiving mail and said that he will be there as soon as he could to help. I was moved to tears in seeing The Most High's faithfulness through His people, as I felt helpless and to see the hope.
Range of emotions
As soon as it happened and till the time when my brothers arrived, I went through a series of emotions. I was angry at myself for not assessing the situation properly and trusting that the wall would stand. My wife was shaken as well and pleaded to be more careful as she didnt want to be a widow. This made me even lower, knowing I almost could have died leaving my wife behind, but also felt humbled to know she was desiring to spend the rest of our lives together, as God allows.
I also felt helpless, as I didnt know what would happen to the truck, given there was no way to drive and push it one way or other, without damaging it and the repurcussions of that. I wanted to give up and sulk. I thought I am not cut out for the rough life and I should just stay in the city. All of this negative talk and accusations came from the adversary. I had to break out of it, repent of my sins: pride/hubris, doubts, fear of loosing stuff and not leveraging my help-meet. I said a prayer after repenting and looked up to the sky and called on the Creator of Heavens and this realm to help in my Messiah's name. And He did.
Help arrives
Within few hours, the dogs and geese starting going crazy and I knew they were pulling up. It was a giant John Deere tractor on a gooseneck trailer with various implements. My dear brother had also pulled in one of our newer church members and both of them sprang into action, assessing the situation. This new brother had just been baptised into our church and had come from a horse and buggy Amish community. He himself is a walking testimony of how The Most High had saved him through a tough case of tumor in the brain. That will have to stay for another post.
Upon assessing the situation, they decided to use tractor to pull the truck and pivot while ensuring it didnt flip by anchoring to the front with their truck/trailer.
The finesse
Although both had just 8th grade education from the world standpoint, being seasoned graduates of life, they knew more about application of physics and mechanics, than I had solved those many problems in my engineering school.
Since the truck was sliding down and it was stone masonry, which had the chance to damage the underside, they decided to lift it first and see how the underside looked. Simple lifting was not feasible, as there was no good angle. In addition, we had rains the previous day and it was real wet ground. Although the John Deere tractor had enough traction and stability, it still slipped at times leaving huge divids. Therefore, they needed to make sure the angle for the lift was suitable without damaging the truck and the front was not going to flip. They decided to use the hitch and the left rear wheel for anchor points and gently lifted it. The front of the truck was tied to their truck/trailer. This truck/trailer was operated by the new brother and ensuring there was enough tension in the tie while driving towards the slipping truck brought in new challenge of not further damaging the wall and ending up sliding. The finesse of both these brothers in how they were able to gingerly lift and move was great to watch. Once the truck was angled down, I got in and started driving while the truck was fully lowered. I parked the truck on plain surface away from the wall and we ensured the truck looked ok, without any noticeable damages. The only thing we could see was the rear bumper had a ding.
Clean bill of health
Since the truck had slid on gravel and stones, I wanted to make sure the overall integrity was still good, so we took it to the Chevy dealer. We were able to drive it with no problem and the mechanics were able to get us in, the same day, which was a first for them. The report was done in under 30mts and they gave a clean bill of health and we were cleared to drive the truck.
We thanked The Most High for not only sparing my life, but preserving the truck.
We will tackle the wall soon, God willing.
Community is everything
When I first started associating with this Church of Mennonites, I was extremely happy to have found a group that had similar values and outlook on technology, family, worship, church polity, even if we disagreed on sabbath and application of the law. They demonstarted as a body, how to walk like Jesus Christ our Messiah, to the best of their abilities.
I did not realize that it was more than just a fellowship and worship gathering. I had found a community of folks to help and partake life with. Many a times, when I was in bind, they have come to my aide, even if it meant taking off work or missing other events. When I needed to talk through things, several of them lent an ear and gave me counsel. I have developed very good friends who are almost like family, expect that they speak German at times, instead of Tamil :)
I cant imagine a life without such a community, not just because of my farm and rural lifestyle, but also because of my spiritual growth and needs. I keep thanking the Most High for blessing me with this group as part of this sojourn in the Ozarks. May I remain faithful to His promises and to this body as demonstarted by my Messiah, in truth and in Spirit!
In the end, walls may collapse, trucks may be stuck and accidents can happen, but trusting in the Most High and the body/bride of His Son is the only way to live without fear and doubt.