"The path of the righteous is like the light of the dawn, that shines brighter and brighter until the full day.  The way of the wicked is like darkness; they do not know over what they stumble."
Proverbs 4:18-19

Several weeks ago Darrell and I took a trip to the Bukidnon to attend the Kaamulin festival and to facilitate one of our Tribal Pastors Horsemanship training weeks. Before we left we had some major work done on the jeep. It has been a trial to find mechanics here that you can trust, and if you don't oversee the work you could be taken advantage of. With the jeep full to capacity and wanting to sing our favourite Salty Singing songbook song, we were confident that we could now embark on our journey to the bukidnon, ( So we thought ).

About 3/4 of the way, the radiator hose bursts on the jeep, all because the first mechanic did not replace the hose as we had asked him too a year ago. So here we are in the middle of the bukid with a broken down jeep, ( oh the life of a missionary). Darrell text Pastor Blas, and about 3 1/2 hours later our third honorary Rescue 911 Pastor shows up with the multi cab to tow us to Valencia. Towing a vehicle is not a problem and it is amazing what one can do in the Philippines that we wouldn't be able to do back home. When all you have is rope, you work with what you have and Nonoy our horseman proceeded to tie the rope to the Jeep and we continued on our travels. Night comes quickly in the bukid and when you are trying to tow a vehicle in the dark and up steep inclines it can become challenging enough, but my biggest fear at this point was ther large semi trucks and buses that we could encounter, and a majority of these drivers probably have not had any sleep for the past 24 hours and living on drugs to keep them awake. (You get the picture right?)

We were successfully making progress until we arrived at a very steep hill, the poor little multi cab was definitely showing us what it was made out of, (at this point i thought of the story of the little engine that could) About half way up the hill the multi cab stops. Darrell is in the jeep and Nonoy jumps off the back of the multi cab to find a rock to place behind the wheels so it won't start sliding backwards.

Darrell then decided to switch vehicles with Blas, and he was now at the lead. I decided to get out of the multi cab and walk alongside of the jeep, as it was going slow enough for me to walk. As I am walking beside the jeep it begins to start moving faster, then faster and at this point Pastor Blas in now telling me to jump into the jeep, now if you have ever seen pictures of our jeep, it is like trying to run alongside of a moving medium size monster truck. I  realized then that i would never make it in a major marathon as i was running along side the jeep and trying to jump in, laughing and  panicking because if felt like an actor in the Left Behind series.
Both of the vehicles were gaining momentum and darrell could not stop. As you guessed, i was left behind, in the dark, in the bukid with no light to guide my way. I could hardly see a foot in front of me and who knows what i may stumble over, example; cobras. With no flashlight or cell phone, I began my hike up the steep dark unlit hill, and in the far off distance I could see a tiny glimpse of light, ( was it an angel? )  apparently Nonoy our horse man had told Darrell that Mom Shannon was left behind, and Darrell sent him off to fetch me. I don't think I will ever forget this experience.
And the progress on the jeep?, well that is another blog.

In John 12:35 we read "Then Jesus said unto them, Yet a little while is the light with you. Walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you: for he that walketh in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth". (This was definitely me for a brief moment)
The metaphor is so appropriate. We all know how difficult it can be to walk in the dark and how pleasant it is to walk in the light. If we follow Jesus' example and teaching, then we will walk in the light and what a pleasant and wonderful experience it will be! However, if we fail to follow Jesus' example and teaching, then we will grope in the darkness and what a miserable and awful experience that will be! In the light we have confidence, joy, direction, faith and progress. In the dark we have timidity, fear, confusion, doubt.
Jesus said in John 8:12 "I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." I have seen how dangerous it is to walk in darkness. I've also seen how invigorating it is to walk in the light. In what path will you walk today? Darkness? Or Light? As for me, I'm choosing to walk in the light.

Today,  follow after the light, let God direct your way and don't be left in the dark!