Photo by Joe Venturo
It hadn’t looked like our kind of resort. In my mind, a “resort” should consist of secluded camping cabins in the mountains, involving fishing streams, spruce forests, and clear lakes. Yet RV resorts seem to capitalize on the word “resort” while only attaining one characteristic in common with a true resort—expense. This RV resort was no exception to the rules, with trailers packed in like sardines in a can. In the words of our former neighbor, the campground looked so tight that “you couldn’t fit a piece of note paper in edgewise.” But it seemed to be our only option.
Not only did it not look like a spectacular place to stay, we weren’t even supposed to be allowed to be there. We have a camping membership that gives us a list of campgrounds where we can stay. Depending on what kind of membership you have, you can stay at more and nicer campgrounds in the system. Our membership was not supposed to include this RV resort in Yuma, yet there it was on our list, and Dad was able to book it for a week.
Later, when we left the campground, we found that it was no longer on our list. In other words, it’s impossible for us to book it again! We always pray that God will put us where He wants us to be, but this time, it seemed He was making it especially clear that He wanted us to be in Yuma that week.
It still was your typical RV resort. We felt like sardines in a can, or maybe like note paper in edgewise, especially since it is “on its edge.” Such claustrophobic conditions can be difficult, especially after you have just been staying in one of the most open, quiet places in the country. Yet we always do our best to trust that God has us where He wants us. We also try to remember that all people whom He places in our path, as Mom noted, are divine appointments—opportunities for the furtherance of the Gospel.
I am so thankful to have been able to hold one of our Bluegrass Gospel Hours this week. As usual, God worked miracles to help us solve potential problems that could have presented some logistical challenges. But the biggest miracle of all is that He brought people to hear His Gospel—an aspect that we cannot control, but only pray for. Who needed to hear the Gospel at this time, in this way, from our family, at this campground, we can only wonder on this side of eternity. Thankful that God’s Word never returns to Him empty (Isaiah 55:10-11). The more we travel, the more I am learning to trust that God has a reason for placing us in locations that do not always meet our preferences.
