March Miracle

March 16, 2009 was a very crucial day in my life and Ajo's life. Monday morning, we started a road trip to visit Arizona. It was still the winter season but the first day of spring was just round the corner. Weather was pleasant and we were quite excited to travel. We had to drive about 800 miles to get to Phoenix from Reno. I sill remember the day fresh in my mind and how we both sang a lot of Malayalam and English christian songs on the road nearing Vegas. After getting lunch from Vegas we continued our trip. The road from Vegas to Phoenix through California was deserted and empty. Apart from the occasional gas stations, few fast food places and sporadic ranch type homes visible at a distance, there was just desert, emptiness, and dirt on the ground. The oncoming traffic was sparse and there were hardly any vehicles in front or behind us. To add to all that, highway exists were at least 50 miles apart. That was US 95. 

We were about 202 miles away from Phoenix, our hotel, our destination. The time was probably around 4pm. I felt a sudden pain in my lower abdomen. The pain was so excruciating and started to worsen. I took two Tylenol capsules which did not touch me but rather I started retching and  puking. Meanwhile, Ajo who was driving was helpless but tried to comfort me. However his comforting words had no effect in me and by now I am feeling clammy and cold due to the intense pain. I tried to sit and position myself in ways so to get some relieve from the pain. Everything was in vain. I was screaming in pain in the midst of nowhere and I started cry out to the Lord. In fact, we both cried out to the Lord.With no where to turn in the world, we turned to God. I was desperate, God had to come down from heaven and touch me. I remember telling this to Ajo, "If you pray, God will hear." There was no human solution and no man made answer and with 202 miles left to the next major city, it was not just a plea, it was our cry. The pain continued and our prayer continued and our faith was that of a mustard seed. It was huge. Neither one of has ever prayed in our entire life with so much faith and belief.

I started speculating for a medical reason - possibly a kidney stone and that was my conclusion. I did not care what it was as long as my pain was gone. We decided to stop at the next rest area/exist. There was one gas station at "Vidal Junction" somewhere out in California. I went to use the bathroom not wanting to go to the bathroom. I got out of the bathroom having the same excruciating pain and there we were at a junction of our life not knowing what to do. We had our faith and faith alone. We had to decide whether to continue to Phoenix or take a detour to the nearest hospital which would be at least an hour away. I watched Ajo's face and saw love, fear, and faith all at the same time.

We cried out to the Lord and He heard our prayers. What does that mean? HE HEARD! That's right. I threw up again and took a walk to and fro and I was starting to get some relief. It was truly a miracle. I believe that God came down and He came down for a sinner like me. This was not just another event, another miracle and another grace in my life. This was "the vital junction" in my life. We drove the rest of the way and reached Phoenix safe. My pain, by this time had subsidized significantly and I had a calm and restful night in our hotel room.

We vacationed every single day as planned. We laughed, we talked, and we lived.  We returned home back to Reno with overwhelming joy, and  boundless gratitude. The psalmist says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good." and indeed  I did. We did. My faith is stronger today than ever, yet I feel like a new Christ follower on my knees and try harder each day to draw near to Him.

PS: The same pain recurred in October 2009. This time it was in our home in Reno. A later post will explain in detail how once again it revealed the mysterious ways of God.