Abandoned

"I'm sorry. You just missed your flight by 3 minutes," The man at the gate for my flight from Munich to Madrid informed me Friday morning around 11:30. I began thinking if only I could've run to my gate, I wouldn't have missed it! But then again, I can't change that. My legs are swollen and even if they hadn't been I can't run yet. He then directed to me the service counter. I got there and stood in line for 2.5 hours to find out that I couldn't get a flight until 9 am Saturday morning, because of the issues with the volcanic ash in the air. I then discover there is an evening flight to Madrid, and wait in the terminal until boarding time only to find that it too was full. On top of that I was told the 9 am flight I had was also cancelled so I got another one for 2:45 pm Saturday. I'm wandering around the airport trying to find free internet (buying 30 minutes of internet was 10 euros, and 3 days worth was 30 euros... neither one would have been super helpful). I find a computer set up with free internet and spend most of my time emailing back forth with my team and my parents informing them of my desperate situation.

I am so defeated and my legs have swollen more than they have in several weeks. I knew they would swell, but didn't know they would this much. My parents are emailing me telling me that I need to get a hotel, but there aren't any. I'm one of thousands of people stranded all over, and hotels had been booked since that morning. I had been praying all day that I wouldn't have difficulties. I had been praying in Jesus' name believing His Word when it tells us there's power in His name. I leave the terminal upset like so many others but trying to hold back my tears. I give myself the "you're a 24 year old adult" pep talk, but that didn't help me from feeling so abandoned by God. Especially with the recent trials He has allowed me to go through. Why did I have to go through one more thing? Couldn't something as simple as getting to Madrid be easy!? With the news pouring in about the volcanic activity I begin to realize I could be stuck in Munich for days!

I receive info that they are putting people on cots in hall F in the airport. I then inform everyone via email where I'd be, and I'd do my best to keep them updated. It was a fairly long walk to hall F, and I found a cot next to a family who looked safe enough. I sat down on the cot trying to not cry and putting my swollen feet up. I then started wrestling with God. Below is my journal entry from that night:

The wind has been knocked out of me one too many times. God, what do you want of me? I've given it all- I've been banged up, and I'm still obeying. I need you. I need to feel you around me. Please don't let my prayers be empty and fall flat. I know I can trust it's just hard when I've had disappointment after disappointment today. I'm exhausted and sick. Did I come too soon? Do you not want me to go? Would you have the evil one mock me some more? Please let my flight leave tomorrow. Please! Desperation takes over. Protect me while I rest in this terminal. Please let it be safe. Hold me together. Don't leave me behind. Don't forsake me. Put a hedge of protection around me.

Yours, Taryn

After feeling so much desperation and feeling as though God had not once heard me, I prayed for forgiveness for my disbelief. It's hard for us in those moments when He allows us to be tested. I remember also praying that God's word says He doesn't give us more than we can handle. I remember thinking that I was at the end of my rope. I couldn't handle anymore. As soon as I asked for forgiveness I closed my eyes. Not 5 minutes later a man woke me up asking, "Are you Kara or Karen Locker?"

I said, "No! But I'm Taryn Blocker!"
I knew that this man HAD to be looking for me because the name he asked for was so close to my name! He then introduced himself as Dave Pettis, a pastor for an international church in Munich. His wife quickly came over and introduced herself, Kandy. They inform me that somehow my team members in Madrid had gotten in contact with them telling them I was stranded at the airport. They picked up their things, called their friend, Bianca, whose husband works for the airport, and came to look for me! They had been waking up every female on the cots trying to find me! If they hadn't called their friend Bianca, they wouldn't have known where the airport had been setting up cots for the stranded people. I had a rescue team of four: Dave and Kandy Pettis along with Bianca Godfrey and her son Muna!

Now, I would NEVER leave anywhere with strangers, but the Spirit gave me such a peace that I hopped up and quickly gathered my things. From Friday night until Tuesday evening I stayed with the Pettis'. They were gracious enough to let me stay as long as I needed and even showed me around, so I was able to see outside of Munich. Bianca's husband, George, was stuck in Spain and had to quickly get transportation to the Munich airport. When things finally cleared up George got me a plain ticket to Barcelona. He met us at the airport with my boarding pass, walked me through security to my gate, and made sure I was good to get on the flight. His family was also believers and were dear friends of the Pettis' and part of the international church Dave pastored.

Amazingly enough the Pettis' had just returned to Germany the Wednesday before I was stranded after being gone for 18 months in the states. Amazingly enough the Pettis' had these wonderful friends the Godfreys who were able to help find me and get me on my way. I had the opportunity to be around them several times during my stay with the Pettis' and both families found a special place in my heart. For not knowing them for very long they felt like family!

Another amazing part of the story is how the Pettis' were contacted. My teammates Gary and Julie Clifton were trying to think if they knew of anyone in Munich. Julie contacted a lady who she had been on assignment with at one time when she was in Germany and the lady knew that the Pettis' had just returned to Germany.

After feeling so abandoned by God and left for Satan to mock me some more in the midst of yet another bump in the road, I found that in fact I wasn't abandoned at all. God had perfectly timed these events for a beat up Journeygirl who finally was getting to go to Spain to be blessed by her spiritual family in Germany. I don't know why I had to go through that, and the doubts that Satan placed in my head were strong. I do know one thing though, God proved that when we pray in His name there is in fact power, and He does hear us. These past 5 months have been more than I would hope for anyone to endure, but God has been with me every step of the way. I'm now in Madrid and settling in. Brook's visa is ready and she should be back soon.

I am completely at peace here and don't know how to explain these things except that God is in control. He uses the bad for His good. I must continue to follow in spite of the difficulties. I hope this story of what happened recently encourages you like it did me. I was never abandoned and neither are you. Planning on posting pictures soon!

Prayers Request:
Legs still swollen and have some pain
For Brook's safe arrival back into Spain
That the work of God will be evident among Latinos in Spain

Never abandoned,
Taryn