Our Story
“Our God is an awesome God”. This
is the story of our weekend trip to South Carolina and the Palmetto Classic Alpaca
Show, April 4-6, 2008.
Friday began very early at about 3:30
a.m. There was quite a storm brewing outside and the lightning and thunder awoke
us. We decided to go ahead and get up and load the boys (Keefer and Flash) into
the trailer before the rain started coming down. With the weather coming fast and
furious we decided to go ahead and get ready and leave early. As we were getting
ready the bottom fell out. Off we went into the pouring rain. It took us about two
hours to finally get ahead of the storm, but the weather held for the rest of the
journey.
We made our way across Mississippi
and Alabama , and then up into Chattanooga, TN , where we stopped and had lunch
at a friend’s house. After a little rest we got back on the road for the rest of
our journey and headed on towards Atlanta and then to Clemson, SC. This is where
our world was turned upside down. As we entered Atlanta and got onto I-285, traffic
was flowing smoothly, but quickly. Richard just happened to look into his mirror
and what he saw was horrific. “We just lost the alpacas!” “They just flew out of
the trailer!” He immediately found a place to stop. Evidently the pin in the trailer
door had been jarred out by a bump or something. We were fortunate to be at an exit
and were able to pull between the exit and other lanes. We freaked! We jumped out
of the truck, ran back to the back of the trailer and here came Flash running towards
us, down the interstate. We were able to catch him quickly and get him back into
the trailer. As this is happening cars are passing and people are yelling out their
windows “One was hit!” and “He’s trying to get up!” What were we going to find over
the hill on the interstate? Richard grabbed a lead and ran down the road. As he
topped the hill he could see the cars stopped across all lanes of traffic and Keefer
lying in the middle of the highway trying to get up. There were a couple people
getting out of their cars following Keefer around after he finally got to his feet
and started walking around. Richard was huffing and puffing from the run. Finally,
Richard and a few bystanders caught Keefer and got a lead on him and got him off
to the inside shoulder of the highway. Cars were still stopped watching the action.
Richard attempted to lead Keefer to the outside shoulder but he wouldn’t budge!
A couple of big guys jumped out of their truck and grabbed Keefer, one on the front
and one on the back, and carried him, with Richard holding his lead, to the outside
shoulder. Amazing! Some angel pulled over on the shoulder and introduced himself
and told Richard he was familiar with alpacas. Richard doesn’t remember his name
or his story, but he was an angel willing to do whatever he could to help. Richard
and this man tried to lead Keefer up the highway to the trailer, but again, Keefer
would not go. He was quite shaken up. After talking through a few options with the
gentleman, Richard decided that he would try and bring the trailer to Keefer. The
gentleman generously offered to hold on to him while Richard went to get the trailer.
As Richard reached the truck a policeman pulled up and asked about what had happened.
Richard asked him if he could stop the traffic for us and help us get our trailer
across the two exit lanes to the outside shoulder. He said “Don’t do anything yet”
and drove off. Just afterwards, a mobile vet van drove up and parked right beside
the truck. Unbelievable! These sweet Christian women, a vet and her assistant, jumped
out and immediately went to work checking out Flash and treating his wounds. While
this is going on we looked down the highway and we see the same policeman from earlier
walking Keefer on his lead toward the trailer. Leah ran to meet the policeman and
the angel who Richard left holding Keefer earlier. Also driving down the highway
next to Keefer and party is another police officer in her car and a large orange
highway hazard truck. As we get Keefer loaded into the trailer a county animal control
truck rolls up. Richard talked to him briefly and told him the situation. The animal
control officer apologized for not arriving quicker, but once he saw that things
were under control he quickly exited. Meanwhile, the vet and her assistant began
to check out Keefer. He definitely got the worst of it. He had a gash on his head
and cut on his left eye. His lip was bleeding and Richard had noticed that he had
chipped a tooth. The vet glued the gash closed on his head and gave us some ointment
to put on his wounds. She checked both boys for broken bones and finding none gave
us both a big hug and a little encouragement. As we hugged I told her she was an
angel sent by God, I had no doubt. With everything in order the police officers
cleaned their hands and bid us to be careful the rest of our trip and they drove
off. The angel was still there and made sure all was well and then he too walked
back to his car that was down the highway.
Here we are still on the side of the
highway, bawling and in shock over what just happened. The traffic was moving again
and all appeared well with the world. We had our animals back in the trailer, the
trailer door SECURED, the animals checked out and everyone was going to be OK. What
just happened? Did what we think just happened really happen? Was this a dream?
How could what just happened be over and end so well? Animals OK, kids OK, no wrecks,
no pile ups, no broken bones, no tickets, a mobile vet just happened be passing
by, Richard just happened to look back when the alpacas jumped out - how? How is
it possible? Was it just coincidental? I leave it up to you to decide, but we were
absolutely certain that God was watching over us and that each detail of the whole
situation was in His complete control. At one point through all of this I asked
God, “Why?” He was so very gracious to answer me quickly and say “So that you will
know that I am God even in situations like this.” Our God was truly faithful that
day, as He is everyday, we just don‘t know what it is we are seeing sometimes. I
can truly say that our faith was strengthened in those few moments on Interstate
285.
We were much closer to Clemson, SC
than to home and so we continued on. We called ahead to the folks at the alpaca
show to let them know we needed to see the vet once we arrived. They were ready
and waiting for us once we got there. Everyone was absolutely wonderful. They helped
us unload the boys into the stall and make them comfortable while we waited for
the vet. They helped hold the boys while the vet looked at them. They took care
of us like we were a part of the family. God had once again provided for us. The
vet checked the boys out a little better and gave them a little medicine. By now
Keefer’s eye was swollen completely shut. She gave him some analgesic and by Saturday
morning the swelling was down so that we could see his eye again. They were eating
and drinking and just plain glad to be on solid ground. We had decided, and also
been wisely advised, that even if they looked better the next day we should not
show them. The trauma they experienced was just too great. That was a little disappointing
for Hunter and Fisher who had worked so hard preparing the boys for the show. They
handled it very maturely and understood it was the right thing to do. We spent most
of Saturday enjoying the educational seminars and meeting more wonderful people.
The members of the Alpaca Small Farm Network were truly a blessing to our family
and our animals that weekend. We feel we have a family all the way over in the Carolinas
now. Thanks to each of you for being used by the Lord to minister to us in our time
of need.
We wanted to put this whole story
into writing so that we will not soon forget the events that took place nor the
way that God used His people to remind us that He is always with us, and that He
will never forsake us; that He loves us and cares for us even though He may allow
us to be in situations that are difficult and uncomfortable. We are truly grateful
for the opportunity to take dominion over the creatures He created. We have a whole
new bond with these creatures after going through such a traumatic experience with
them. To God be all glory and honor for the protection and safety He granted our
family and our alpacas.
Update: Keefer and Flash are doing great, and as far as we can tell, have no lasting
effects from the accident!