On the second day of our journey to the Black Sheep MMFC Pacific Northwest Rally, we experienced an amazing “holy hookup” orchestrated by God.
We (Robert and Yadira Chavira, Laura, and I) had been on the road since early morning, my truck pulling the Black Sheep trailer, when Robert mentioned he needed a quick restroom stop. Just north of Eugene, Oregon, I pulled into a rest stop. We thought it would be a quick stop, but God had other plans.
Almost immediately, a woman approached us asking for help. Her family’s sedan had a flat tire, but they had no tools to fix it. Robert grabbed the tire iron from the truck, and we walked over to help, but quickly realized that my truck-sized tool wouldn’t fit their smaller car. We considered calling AAA but knew the wait could be long. Robert then suggested we drive to the nearest auto parts store and buy them a tire iron and jack. So, we drove to Eugene (thirty minutes away) to a Harbor Freight. (We then “stole” the tools… just kidding!) As we drove, I prayed quietly, asking the Lord for an opportunity to share the gospel with this family.
When we returned, the husband came to meet us. We handed him the tools, and I asked if we could pray with him. To my surprise, he told us he was a pastor in Beaver, Oregon. That moment left me stunned. We prayed together; he offered to reimburse us, but we refused, gladly giving them the tools. We felt blessed, mission accomplished… or so we thought.
As we drove away, I noticed the couple staring at the instructions, looking confused. My flesh said, “We’ve done enough. We’re already late for the rally Meet & Greet.” But then my wife Laura (being the voice of the Holy Spirit) spoke up: “Lazaro, we need to stop. It looks like they still need help. So, I turned the truck and the trailer back around.
Sure enough, they couldn’t figure out how to lower the jack. Robert jumped in and changed the tire completely. Before we left for the last time, I asked the pastor to text me when they got home. And he did several hours later.
Though we arrived at the Meet & Greet almost three hours late, it didn’t matter. The holy hookup God had set up at that rest stop was far more important.
The next morning, I received another text from this pastor:
“I might call you sometime and find out more about your ministry.”
I gave him our website—www.blacksheepmmfc.org and later texted:
“Pastor …, I believe our encounter yesterday was a divine appointment. I don’t know what’s going on in your life or with your church, but be encouraged, Jesus loves you and cares for you and your family. Us stopping at that rest stop wasn’t on our agenda, but it was clearly on His. I’ll be speaking to our group tonight at a church here in Enumclaw, and I want to thank you for providing me with such a great application to share.”
His reply humbled me:
“I will be using you as an illustration of Christian love when I preach on Sunday too. Thank you, brother! Honestly, we have gone through a hard season and are feeling a bit discouraged. Thank you for helping us out.”
Looking back, I see how God used an ordinary flat tire to bring encouragement to a weary pastor and to remind me to always listen to my wife and that ministry can happen anywhere. Sometimes, it happens at a rest stop on the side of I-5 freeway. Moments like this are mind-blowing, realizing that God prepared this encounter long before we ever got on the road. He knew this family would need help, He knew we would be there, and He orchestrated it all, completely outside of our own plans.
Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Let this be a reminder: stay alert, stay ready, keep your hearts open, and always listen to your spouse. You never know when God will set up a “holy hookup” that gives you the chance to step into His plans and be His hands and feet in the world.
And if you’re reading this while walking through a tough season, maybe feeling worn down or discouraged like this pastor, take heart. Jesus loves you deeply, and you are never alone. At just the right moment, He will provide exactly what you need (Philippians 4:19). Hold fast, He’s with you, and He will see you through.
Love you all, All for His glory!
Laz
