July 1, 2021
Rogue Wave Redemption
by Cherrilynn Bisbano
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son. Romans 8:28-29 ESV
The rooster interrupted my sleep every three hours. I rolled off the uncomfortable church pew and joined the team for breakfast of granola bars and a bottle of water. The pastor had invited us to El Salvador to show "The Jesus Film," and offered his church as our resting place.
We gathered our gear for the day and the team headed for El Playa de Cuco beach about five hundred yards away. Its meaning, “crazy beach” — was a good name to express the events of the day. We set up the volleyball net, and played with the kids who lived on the beach.
Small huts made of straw and wood transformed the beach into a makeshift village. Mothers nursed their babies and cooked meals on campfires outside while the men sat on logs and chatted.
Volleyball was fun, but I escaped to write in my journal.
Lord, Thank you for a log for our stuff or it would have been taken out to sea by the waves if we left it on the ground! We have not taken showers since yesterday morning. No Power! No Water! We must smell ripe! We are almost playing v-ball in the houses on the beach (water was coming close to us and the homes). I love you Father. Gracias."
I put my journal away and went to the large log where our backpacks rested. The one I just thanked God for. I heard screaming...
1 pm (journal entry): WIPED OUT by a big wave! Gloria a Dios (Glory to God), no one was hurt but me. 3 kids went under the hut. All of us went flying. I tried to grab the bag and had a hold of it but the wave took the big log right with it. I was behind the log and it knocked me over. My legs are all cut up and bruised! Babies were everywhere. All are fine though. The locals helped us gather our things. A man named Pablo let us use his table and wash off in his water. (He had the only fresh water well within miles of the beach) Pablo gave me some blue ointment for the cuts on my legs.
We thanked Pablo and gave him The Gospel of John. We left the beach to gather our thoughts, have a soda, and clean our gear. We praised God for keeping us safe as we remembered the verse.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Isaiah 43:2 ESV
The next morning I wrote. Visited Pablo. He loved the peanut butter (peanut butter is a delicacy there). But, he really loved the book at read into the morning.
The next day we said our goodbyes, traveled to Honduras, and boarded a plane home to Rhode Island. Later, the Pastor of the church told us Pablo is now a child of God and leads others to Jesus. God used a rouge wave to save a soul.
My dear friend, I know life is difficult. Will you praise Him with me for taking the difficult and mundane to accomplish His purposes?
This article has been brought to you by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association (AWSA).
You can find Cherrilynn published in several online magazines and blogs along with books. Her latest book, Shine Don’t Whine, released in October 2020. Cherrilynn
Join the conversation: Have you seen God take a "rogue wave" in your life and use it for good?
