Do you believe in divine appointments?

The other day after dropping my mom and Sarah off at the airport, we decided we would go back home a different way and pass by Xalapa.   It was going to be a bit out of our way, but there were a couple of things we needed to do their, Rafa had the day off, and their was a direct bus there.  And it was with a different company so the bus trip would include movies too.  Win. Win. Win. But that direct trip to Xalapa passes through, but doesn’t stop in our hometown.  We waved at our hometown as we passed by, discussing what we were going to do with our evening together.   A few miles outside of town we came to a halt.  The bus driver turned off the bus and stepped outside.  A roadblock.  And one that would not be letting up for several hours.   Rafa got out, spoke with the bus driver, hailed a taxi, and we started back to our hometown.  So much for the wonderful time we had planned.

When we were about halfway back, Rafa asked the taxi driver to stop, saying he knew someone who lived in the small town we were passing through.   And those someones sell tortas.  Pretty much amazing sub-type sandwiches.   So we stepped foot into an aging couple’s home.   The recognized Rafa immediately even though it had been several years since they had seen him.   He introduced me as his wife and the welcomed us like family.   Rafa ordered two tortas and bought a coke from the store next door.  La senora brought in fresh plums from her back yard.  When the tortas where ready, the couple sat down in the other two chairs at our table.   The whole time we were eating {and beyond!} we talked, shared and laughed.  Oh did we ever laugh!   With over 35 years of marriage under their belt, their shared what they had learned. We shared our story too.   La senora was full of jokes and riddles and told one after the other.  They told Rafa that if he ever needed someone to look out for me, he could always take me there.   We left with firm hugs, kisses on the cheek, and with the promise we would be back soon.

It was not the afternoon we had planned.  It was better.