It was a trip planned a year back. The cuttlefish season had arrived and 4 of us looked forward to catching a harvest better than last year.
The trip took 4 hours drive in Malaysia. Most of the route made up of rural 2 ways single lane. After filling our stomachs with good food and topping up the car boot with drinks and tib bits. We arrived as planned and had a good rest in the 4-star hotel ready for the 2 days of serious fishing.
We woke up early the next day and had a good breakfast. It took less than 10 minutes to the jetty and was greeted by 2 familiar faces - the skipper and his helper. We bought lunch and loaded up our gears. The skipper told us to expect a choppy sea. We set off and soon was greeted by rough waters.
The skipper asked if we would like to cancel the trip as he expected the waves to be worst later in the day. The whole group agreed as fishing in choppy seas is never fun. We turned back to shore and decided to cancel the next day's trip as well.
We returned to the hotel and decided to head home since the fishing had been called off. The hotel manager was kind enough to refund us for the cancellation of our booking. There was a restaurant which serves good food and we all agree we deserved a good lunch. Along the way, we gave our lunch and drinks to some workers. More events were about to unfold.
The restaurant was closed. We settled for KFC as we were hungry. Then we drove 3 hours to town and ended up in a shopping centre. Well, our wives were with us remember? We did some coffee as usual and bought some groceries. We then remembered a good Japanese restaurant about 15 minutes away and there was no objection to have dinner there. The plan was to get durians after the dinner so that we get the best out of the cancelled trip. We set off from the shopping centre and arrived at the eating place. You've guessed it, the Japanese restaurant was permanently closed. We were determined to fill our stomach with sushi and we did.
We were on our way out from the car park to get durians when my car just stopped with a few lights lit up. I tried to crank the car but nothing happened. The battery must be dead but there was no prior warning. We had to push the car to unblock the traffic. A helpful security guard told us there is a workshop closed by. I tried cranking the car again and thankfully the engine started. We drove to the workshop and just as we stopped the car the engine died. The technicians were knocking off as we saw them in their helmets. They decided to help us change the car battery. The car started up but the battery light came on indicating that the alternator is not working. We have about an hour to get home from Malaysia and hopefully, there is no jam in the custom.
We made it back home with some anxiety but we were home. The second day the car started and just when I arrived and parked at the workshop the car died. The technician tried to start it but the battery was totally flat. The alternator needed to be serviced and we collected the car at the same day.
I spent some time pondering about the incidents. If we were to continue to fish for the 2 days we may end up having the car dying on us on the rural 2 way single lane which would be a disaster. Yes, we were disappointed that the trip consists of a chain of unfortunate events. Yet we were thankful that we could have ended up worst if not for the cancellation of fishing. I felt God was watching over us and my disappointment turned to thanksgiving.
The skipper asked if we would like to cancel the trip as he expected the waves to be worst later in the day. The whole group agreed as fishing in choppy seas is never fun. We turned back to shore and decided to cancel the next day's trip as well.
We returned to the hotel and decided to head home since the fishing had been called off. The hotel manager was kind enough to refund us for the cancellation of our booking. There was a restaurant which serves good food and we all agree we deserved a good lunch. Along the way, we gave our lunch and drinks to some workers. More events were about to unfold.
The restaurant was closed. We settled for KFC as we were hungry. Then we drove 3 hours to town and ended up in a shopping centre. Well, our wives were with us remember? We did some coffee as usual and bought some groceries. We then remembered a good Japanese restaurant about 15 minutes away and there was no objection to have dinner there. The plan was to get durians after the dinner so that we get the best out of the cancelled trip. We set off from the shopping centre and arrived at the eating place. You've guessed it, the Japanese restaurant was permanently closed. We were determined to fill our stomach with sushi and we did.
We were on our way out from the car park to get durians when my car just stopped with a few lights lit up. I tried to crank the car but nothing happened. The battery must be dead but there was no prior warning. We had to push the car to unblock the traffic. A helpful security guard told us there is a workshop closed by. I tried cranking the car again and thankfully the engine started. We drove to the workshop and just as we stopped the car the engine died. The technicians were knocking off as we saw them in their helmets. They decided to help us change the car battery. The car started up but the battery light came on indicating that the alternator is not working. We have about an hour to get home from Malaysia and hopefully, there is no jam in the custom.
We made it back home with some anxiety but we were home. The second day the car started and just when I arrived and parked at the workshop the car died. The technician tried to start it but the battery was totally flat. The alternator needed to be serviced and we collected the car at the same day.
I spent some time pondering about the incidents. If we were to continue to fish for the 2 days we may end up having the car dying on us on the rural 2 way single lane which would be a disaster. Yes, we were disappointed that the trip consists of a chain of unfortunate events. Yet we were thankful that we could have ended up worst if not for the cancellation of fishing. I felt God was watching over us and my disappointment turned to thanksgiving.
May this experience helps us look at this bible passage a little differently: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.