machine would I use? What would be the most efficient way home and with the least “tumulos” (speed bumps)? All the while thoughts were going through my mind about how little decisions can have a great impact. If I stopped for a refreshing drink before getting cash, would this alter my future in some way? Would I be avoiding an accident or would the timing put me in at the wrong place at the wrong time. Sometimes the course of your life can change in one split second. Some might call these thoughts premonitions. Whatever you call it; this is what was on my mind preceding the accident.I stopped for a frozen drink, only a few blocks from the ATM machine. Actually there was one even closer, just across the street from POPS the drink place. I wasn’t accustomed to using that one and didn’t think about it. I went to the CERCA shopping area, got the cash, and I noticed a painted van with Seguros painted on the side. I thought it was a security truck or armored car, but actually seguros means insurance.
My little station wagon headed toward my house. Within a couple of blocks of the house, I was trying to make a right turn, but an eighteen wheeler was trying to turn left onto the street I was on. I had to keep backing up to make room for that huge truck to enter the street I was on. This was a several minute delay keeping me from my destination and setting me up for my destiny. I made the turn and only two blocks up I needed to turn left. I was going slowly and had my blinker on. As I turned the steering wheel to the left, I felt the impact and heard the horrifying sound of two vehicles colliding. Airborne in front of me was a small white van. The van alit like a nose diving airplane, bounced, flipped over on its side, and did a 180° spin before coming to a stop. The front windshield had blown out on impact, and two guys crawled out the opening. This was a relief to me, because in those few seconds before the guys came out, I was thinking that no one could survive such an impact. Other than being quite distraught and thinking that I might end up in jail because I am a foreigner here, I was not hurt and there was very little damage to my Toyota wagon. People were all around me trying to help. I had a form in my car pocket which had instructions about what to do in case of an accident, but I was too upset to do the calling. I couldn’t think of all the words I need in Spanish. I did manage to call one missionary to come help. A man took my papers and called the insurance company for me. The Seguros truck that I had just seen while getting cash arrived within a few minutes. It was the insurance company for the other guys. It took a bit longer for my insurance man to arrive. I asked someone about calling the police, but the people around me all said that it wasn’t necessary and that the police were ineffective anyway.
In a little while I collected my thoughts and figured out exactly what had happened. The van was behind me and evidently impatient with my slow driving. Even though I had my blinker on indicating that I was turning left, the driver of the van proceeded to pass me on the left colliding with my front wheel as I went into the turn. A witness said he was really moving fast, which might explain how the van went airborne.
In spite all the agitation and trauma, I am grateful for a great many things concerning this unforeseeable event. First of all, there were no serious injuries. The driver of the van had a couple of cuts. His forehead and hand were bleeding slightly and he was limping. His passenger wasn’t even scratched. Both guys were wearing seatbelts. If you are going to drive like that, it is a good idea to fasten your seatbelt. I was not hurt and my car sustained very little damage. They had insurance. The people around were helpful and kind. A woman bought me a glass of water, patted my arm and spoke soothing words to me. The missionary woman I called came over and she called the one missionary who is an expert in these situations. My insurance agent had lived in Dallas and spoke very good English. Both agents knew each other, respected each other, and had worked together before. All of this waiting around and filling out forms took about two hours. During this time, a woman came out of a shop across the street with a cup of chamomile tea for me. I do love these people. I choose to see all of this as God’s protection and mercy toward me and those two guys in the van. From now on, I intend to pray each time I get behind the wheel and before I turn the key. It had already been my practice to pray for safety and protection as I am driving.
