It was a cool early morning when I left Cotonou after arriving home from furlough. The night before, Ulrike Baur had left for a trip to Germany.

Along with me in the truck was a friend of ours from Natitingou who had come down with Uli and now was going back up north with me. The fuel tank and the truck were full. We said a prayer for safety knowing that we would need it. Driving is dangerous and our front tire had a big patched hole in it.

We made it out of Cotonou fine ahead of the morning traffic. We arrived in Dassa, a town about four hours north. My plan was to fill up the fuel tank in Dassa, but on arriving, we found that the only diesel pump was not working.

After eating, we continued north. When we arrived in Djougou, which is only about an hour and a half from home and the next fuel stop, my fuel gauge was past the empty mark. We passed the first gas station and saw the “fini” (finished) sign pasted on the pump. I said, “This is not good.” On we went to the next station, but that one also advertised “fini.” Normally this means there is some fuel, but it is reserved for important people, and I am not considered important.

I wasn’t quite sure what to do. I knew I wasn’t going to buy fuel along the road from Nigeria. The dirt in that stuff can kill your motor. I also knew I couldn’t make it home with what was left in my tank. So we stopped and prayed. After praying, I felt impressed to go back to the first station and ask for four liters—probably enough to get us home. So we went back to the station, and I explained our situation and begged and pleaded for all I was worth. Finally the manager agreed to sell me 5000 francs worth of fuel. I was happy because that’s about 14 liters. So we got the fuel we needed and more. With a thankful prayer, we headed home.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:19).

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