We were scheduled to stay in Australia 19 days longer than we did. We were going to get on a plane in Sydney this morning, April 7 and arrive in San Fransico this morning, April 7. By this evening we would have made our way across the nation to Tennessee and spent tonight in the BoggsMobile.
We intended to rest a few days in Tennessee and begin revival this coming Saturday with our friends at Beechfork Holiness Church. We love being with Pastor Herman Woods and my sweet adopted Mother, Sis. Margaret Woods and we were so looking forward to Easter revival there.
From Tennessee we were scheduled to preach two revivals in Kentucky, three revivals in Virginia, one revival in West Virginia and then begin our first tent revival of the year in Easley, South Carolina.
Wow! Reality sure did not match our plans.
We have planned for years to visit churches in Australia and sing and preach as much as possible. We were also planning to explore a few parts of their beautiful country. We have poured over maps and brochures, we have studied roads, alternate routes and out of the way places.
We have prayed and asked God to help us be sensitive to Him so we could be in the right place at the right time. We were so excited for our feet to touch the land down under and make some lifelong friends along the way.
Like I said, reality did not match our plans.
We were only able to be in one service in Australia. It was a special service, but only one service. The coronavirus cut short the vacation part of our trip and completely wiped out the ministry and exploration part of the trip.
When it became clear that the world was going crazy, we made the executive decision to try to change our flights and go home early. Within days of making that decision, Australia announced that everyone entering the country would have to self isolate for 14 days. We were in New Zealand by then, so that would have applied to us.
It would have been very expensive to stay in a hotel in Sydney and depend on room service for all of our meals for 14 days. Plus, we would not be able to do the things we had planned to do. I was so glad that we had already shifted our focus toward going home.
We were able to get our flights changed (Praise God!) and we arrived in Tennessee 19 days earlier than planned. It was so good to be in the USA. The next morning I began working in earnest to process the technology I would need to have revival online. While in New Zealand the idea for revival began to formulate, but I had no idea how to make it happen.
By the time Monday night rolled around, we were in Ohio, we were set up for church in Odie's garage and the technology was in place to have a little church. The rest is history. We have been having church and the Lord has been blessing. Hallelujah!
I have said it over and over and over, but it is worth saying again. Much of the time, I do not have a clue. I often stumble into the will of God, but I sure am glad to be here at this time.
I make plans. I tried to be diligent in the work I am called to do. I try to be wise. When I miss it by a mile, I am glad God still directs our paths.
Friend, He is directing your path too. It may be completely different than you imagined. How could things turn upside down so quickly? Trust me, brother. Trust me, sister. You may not have a clue what is going on, but you can trust God!
I know this is a bunch easier to say than it is to do. Is God paying attention? Is God going to come through? I do not know what God is going to do, but I know that God is going to do something.
I know that some of you are facing huge losses if the economy remains shut down for much longer. I do not make light of that. My heart is hurting for you and I am praying earnestly for you.
Thank you for reading today.
Davy
