Shortly, I heard voices, and looking up; I saw four uniformed crew members pulling their luggage trolleys. I recognized the captain from his four striped lapels and approached him. I told him my story, explaining that God had said I must speak to him. He told me they were a supernumerary crew on route to collect a hired aircraft and could not help me.
I said to God, ‘What must I do now’? Once again, I heard, ‘Speak to the Captain.’ So, I stood, staring down the empty passage.
It must have been an hour later when another group of crew members approached. Once more, I came to the captain and told him what God had said. He looked at me as if he had been waiting for us to meet and said, “Do you have a ticket’? ‘Yes, I do.’ I handed him my ticket, and he said, ‘Stay here, and I will send someone to collect you.’
He and his crew went off, and I began to weep.
Not long after, a ground hostess shepherded me to the airplane. She led me to a compartment alongside the flight deck, which I recognized as being used by the crew for international flights, as it had two bunk beds on one side. There were no windows, but did I care? I sat on the bunk bed and began to give thanks to God.
Not long after start-up, a hostess opened the door and led me to the flight deck to be welcomed by the captain and crew. I sat in the ‘jump seat’ and enjoyed the most fantastic flight of my life, chatting to the crew and seeing the world ahead from a grandstand view.
The young salesman met me at the airport; he was brimming with excitement as we hugged each other. I only had one question for him – “Where did the money come from”? I asked unashamedly.
“You must wait until we get to the showroom for that answer.” He replied with a mischievous grin.
I was shocked at what I saw in the showroom. The dealership’s executive members gathered around a table alongside this beautiful, brand-new car. (An upgrade on the company car I’d had.) They shook my hand and invited me to join them. The dealer principal explained to me and the little gathering how the young salesman had been so inspired by the work we were doing as missionaries that he had decided to collect money from well-wishers and pay cash for my car. After obtaining management’s permission, he established a collections committee, which, over two months, had collected sufficient money to pay for the vehicle. The dealership had committed to paying twenty percent of the cost if the committee could raise eighty percent.
My mind was spinning in wonder at what a miraculous accomplishment this was.
Once all the clapping died down, I stood to address this wonderful group of caring people.
I expressed my deepest gratitude to the group and all those not present who had made contributions.
I told them this was a great miracle but explained that it was only part of the whole miracle. With this, I gave details about the story of ‘Speak to The Captain.’
This miracle occurred because many had prayed, and God received a standing ovation that day.
Peter James