Inside Story: Angel at the Gas Station
Angel at the Gas Station
By Terri Saelee
Lamphai Sihavong stared in bewilderment at the confusing maze of highways around and above her in the U.S. city of Chicago. She had no idea how to find her husband. She looked at the four children seated in the car and wondered what to do next.
Image © Pacific Press
The couple had arrived in the United States as refugees from the Southeast Asian country of Laos, and they were driving with their six children across the country to find work. Leaving Sacramento, California, the family first traveled 1,400 miles to Grand Island, Nebraska, where they had heard about work at a factory. But when they arrived, they learned the jobs were filled. Then they heard about a possible job in Holland, Michigan, another 750 miles away. The family started out on the 12-hour journey to Michigan. Lamphai’s husband led the way, driving the moving truck with two children and all their belongings. She followed with the other four children in the car.
All went well until Chicago. Lamphai tried to follow her husband closely, but she got stuck in heavy traffic and lost sight of his truck. Overwhelmed by the maze of roads, she stopped at a gas station. Neither she nor her husband had cell phones. She had no way to contact him, and she had no idea how to find their destination. Her only hope was God. She was glad that missionaries had visited their refugee camp in Thailand to tell them about God. Together, she and the four children prayed earnestly to God for help.
As they opened their eyes, they saw a pleasant-looking man walking toward them.
“Let me guess,” he said. “Are you looking for your husband, Veuy?”
“Yes!” Lamphai acknowledged with surprise.
She wondered how the stranger knew her husband’s name.
“Get in your car and follow me,” the man said. “I’ll help you find him.”
Lamphai followed him back onto the road and through a maze of highways until suddenly she saw her husband’s moving truck. Gratefully, she and the children turned to wave their thanks, but the stranger was gone.
The family arrived safely in Michigan, and Veuy and Lamphai found work and began attending the Holland Seventh-day Adventist Church. Soon they invited new Lao friends to join them, and the church gave the small group a room to worship in their own language. Today the group has its own church where Lamphai introduces people to the God who sent an angel to the gas station.
Several Lao congregations have sprouted up across the North American Division as a result of a Thirteenth Sabbath Offering in 2011. With this quarter’s offering, you will help provide pastors and resources to groups like Lamphai’s.
Produced by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission. Find more mission stories at adventistmission[dot]org
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Amazing story! This reminds me of a similar incident my parents and I had over 17 years ago on a freeway coming home from Michigan where a man helped us with a flat tire. Before we could look up to say thank you to him, his car disappeared. Its interesting to note that our incident took place around Michigan as well... perhaps it was the same angel? Just a sign that God is very active in our lives =)
So inspiring 🙂. Indeed, God is still at work. His ways are not our ways.
In the Name of the Lord
This miraculous event reminds me of the following personal experience some years ago:
We were coming from Mexico and stopped at a gas station. My wife was not feeling well, and we were stranded near Temecula, California. The Gas station attendant informed us that he needed to close his business. I had spent four hours attempting to get the car started to no avail. The tow truck man could not get it started and told me that the timing was broken. I said to my wife: “Let’s call a taxi.” She said: “Let me try one more time.” She said: “In the name of the Lord," and turned the ignition key. We got safely home, but next morning the car refused to cooperate. I called the tow truck, and the mechanic informed me that the timing was broken and that there was no way to get the car started.
Very inspiring stories. It’s assuring to know that God is still in the miracle working business and that he loves and cares for us.