A bump in the road

So you’re probably wondering how I have internet access on a night we were going to sleep in the Jeep…

You know that tiny squeak in your car that you keep meaning to check out? Well mine went away about a week ago and didn’t appear throughout the first 1000 miles of our journey. I figured it was a squeaky belt or something so I didn’t bother.

Bad choice. As we’re driving through a small town in Mexico, the clutch starts screaming like a banshee every time it’s engaged. Uh oh. So we limp along for about 150 more miles, being quite creative about not using the clutch as much as possible (including shifting by rev-matching). We weren’t able to avoid it all-together, especially a couple times when going through police checkpoints. After using it off and on for a minute or two, you could smell the burn.

So we’re now at a Holiday Inn in Tampico, Mexico and will be visiting a mechanic in the morning, likely as not to get a new clutch :(. Through it all, God was watching out for us, allowing us to reach a major city with qualified mechanics and available parts and a safe hotel with gated parking where we can leave the trailer while getting the Jeep fixed. Most of all, we weren’t stranded along the side of a remote highway in the dark in the middle of nowhere. I can almost see the bright side in that it will almost certainly be cheaper to repair here than either the US or Belize.

I’ll report back tomorrow when I know the full damage. Until then, we’ll be enjoying the tacos, but not drinking the water 🙂

10 thoughts on “A bump in the road

  1. Evan

    I like your “bright side” 🙂 I’m sure it’ll be cheaper there. Glad you have a safe hotel and a safe place for the trailer. I’m sure you guys can use a good night’s sleep.

    Thanks for letting us know – we’ll be praying AND praising God for your safe arrival in Tampico!

  2. angel

    O My Mel……god is with u, theres many “bumps” in the road, and ur a warrior:) good luck and be safe…love ya

  3. Shawn Lorg

    Man, John, that’s the one thing you haven’t replaced on that jeep. Now you will have a brand new jeep! Anyway, I’m glad you have such a good outlook and God is certainly watching out for you. We’ll be praying a quick fix and continued safe travels. Hang in there!

  4. Ma

    John, I don’t know if you remember me telling you of our trip thru Mexico on our way to Belize, but we broke down everyday with our school bus, however it was always where we could get the part or someone knew how to fix the vehicles. I’ll be interested to hear if the person who helps you has the name of Jose or Jesus! Keep Looking up! He’s watching over you! 😉

  5. Tommy Spotts

    Praying for you guys. God provides for us at the perfect times. Trust Him and He will be a shield and protection.

  6. Dave

    I like your trip already. It sounds like something I would be familiar with. 🙂

  7. Donna Chapman

    As the song Through It All says: “If we never had a problem….we’d never know that God could solve them…….

    Can’t wait to hear….the rest of the story 🙂

  8. Mom

    Amen to all of the above comments. Praise God for His faithfulness and watch care. I, too, am glad you had the opportunity for a good night’s rest. Love and prayer,

  9. Mel

    I’m praying. Still hoping you will be in Belize by Monday.

  10. chuck and karen

    God bless, he literally takes care of all little things and big.

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