In the Midst of Danger, God’s Graciousness is Ever Felt.

On September 15–16, three of us, sisters- Sisters Evelyn and Elvie and I left Mae Hong Son to visit the Ban Mae Surin community. On September 16, we left the community for a long walk through the mountain ranges toward the bamboo bridge, where a JRS car and our brother and driver, Eak, were waiting for us.

Heaven’s pouring rain was enough to drench us. At every bridge we passed, we could see the river below rising, its troubled waters flowing rapidly. Just as a group of our refugee brothers and sisters had waited for us and accompanied us on September 15—walking side by side with us, carrying our things, guiding us, and checking on us from time to time until we reached the community—a delegation of our refugee brothers and sisters also did the same on September 16.

God’s presence, without a doubt, followed us.

As our car proceeded out of the deep Thai jungle, we had to pass through several narrow river bends, now with angry waters running by. At one point, we came upon a huge rock looming in the middle of the passage. Eak alighted from the car, checked the water level, and then, alone and with all his might, moved the stone. We were able to cross safely.

We sisters cheered Eak on.

God’s protection, without a doubt, had us covered.

Then we arrived at another narrow river bend. A car was stuck and trying to make its way through. They were our friends from COERR. Eak immediately went to help, along with other motorbike drivers who had also stopped and offered their assistance. It took some time, but the car was eventually able to cross.

By this time, our friends from ADRA were behind us and joined in to lend a hand. They helped us cross and then turned to help ADRA’s car pass through as well.

God’s aid, without a doubt, was never found wanting.

As the three cars continued their journey, just a few yards from where we had passed through came another narrow river. The drivers checked and surveyed the situation, then huddled together for a few moments.

We could not cross.

We had to turn back and follow another route.

At some point, we paused by the roadside where there was a signal and communicated with our respective organizations. By then, darkness was already setting in. Thank heavens, the rain had stopped.

However, when we reached another river, the waters were high. A community decision was made: our cars would be left at a nearby school and picked up the following day. As for us, members of the three organizations, together with our brother drivers, we had to cross another wooden bridge and walk for a few minutes until we reached the place where we had agreed to be picked up by cars from our respective organizations.

God’s guidance, without a doubt, pursued us.

While waiting for our respective cars, all of us, now tired and weary, sought refuge in the home of one of the local villagers.

Oh, how the family welcomed us with warmth, care, and generosity!

They opened their door to let us in and rest, but we decided to stay outside the house, where there were tables and chairs. The family offered us biscuits, bananas, guavas, and hot water and coffee. For a while, we shared food and small conversations, with smiles and laughter in between.

Surprisingly, it felt like home.

Exhaustion seemed to fade into the background, and warmth set in.

At that moment, sacredness entered. Community was built. Friendship was strengthened.

The lovely couple even gave us some fruits and vegetables from their farm produce to bring home.

After some time, our brother drivers who were coming to pick us up arrived with food for all of us. Dit, our brother and JRS driver, greeted us with a joy that carried both relief and concern.

God’s graciousness, without a doubt, abounds.

Now it was time to part. We exchanged our thank-yous and goodbyes. By this time, it was already dark.

After what seemed to be an endless journey through the darkness, we finally came out of the forest onto the main road going to Mae Hong Son.

It was a journey.

What a journey, indeed!

Dit and Eak brought us home. It was past eight in the evening. Before leaving, Dit took a picture of the three of us sisters in front of our house, with a triumphant smile on his face—as if to save the evidence of what may have been on his mind:

“Mission accomplished. My sisters are back home safely.”

In deep awe and gratitude for God’s mercy and providence, our hearts whispered:

Deo gratias!

Blessed be God. Thanks be to God, indeed.

In the midst of danger, God’s graciousness is ever felt—

Many hearts: the prayers of so many people praying for our safety, including our brothers and sisters from the Ban Mae Surin community.

Many hands: providing food, support, assistance, and safety.

There was never a moment throughout the entire journey and experience when we did not feel God’s presence.

Perhaps this is what providence sometimes looks like: not the absence of danger, but God’s presence in the midst of it.

God was present in the brothers and sisters who walked with us, in Eak moving the rock, in the strangers and friends who stopped to help one another cross the rushing waters, in the wisdom of deciding when not to proceed, in the family who opened their home and shared what they had, and in our brothers who came through the darkness to bring us home.

The journey reminded us that we are never alone. God’s graciousness often comes to us through many hearts and many hands. And sometimes, in the midst of uncertainty and danger, we recognize that the road home is made possible not by our strength alone, but by grace working through a community of people who care.

Deo gratias!

Blessed be God for His mercy, His protection, His guidance, and His ever-abiding presence.

AMDG!