Change of Plan

It was July 31st. and I had a plane ticket to fly back to Australia, because my 90 day visa was about to expire. Ravi, my friend and landlord had arranged for a taxi to take me to the airport. His wife, Sangeeta and son would come along and see that I got there, while he stayed behind. My flight departure was at 4:10pm and we were leaving at 12:30, so we had plenty of time to get there. Just a half hour drive, but along the way the car was stalling and then go. I soon realized we were running out of gas, and I prayed. The car finally stopped for good just 200 feet from a gas station. I gave the driver money and he came back with a container of gas and we were off again. At the airport, I said goodbye and hugged my friends one last time and then they went off to do a little shopping before returning home.Everything at the airport went smoothly and then I waited to board the plane. When I got to Australia I got a hotel that was $200 a night and that was the going rate in the city of Brisbane. I prayed I would find a cheaper place to stay. That night, I had my first hot shower in three months and took my time enjoying it and then I had a good night's sleep, But after trying to find a cheap place to stay the next two days, evey opption didn't pan out and I asked God that night, what was I to do? I then felt I heard Him say, go back to Fiji. I had not planned on going back to any country that I had left, but I felt this was the direction I was to go and I knew my friend in Fiji would be happy, because they all wanted me to stay longer. I also had seen information regarding immigration in Fiji that allowed for a 12 month visa, but you had to leave the country every 90 days, just like Australia, I was so excited that I could hardly get to sleep, but I manage to get about 5 hours, before I checked out of the hotel at 10:30 the next morning, and paid my bill with my debit card. However, the man who I paid was not nice to me the night before when I asked if he could help me find out what time the next flight left for Fiji. When I went to pay,I noticed a cab waiting at the hotel so when I pulled my luggage out the door he motioned for me to take his cab. After he loaded my stuff in the trunk and got in the car I studied his face more closely and he looked just like Jesus from the program, The Chosen, but not as neatly trimmed. However, I told him that he looked just like Jesus, and he said, I am Jesus, that is my name, Jesus and I am from Nepal where Mt. Everst is. This was amazing, God has used taxi drivers to help me in the most unique ways and I all started with my taxi driver in Argentina, named Angel.  When I arrived at the airport I learned that a flight to Fiji was just about to leave and the next one out would not be until 9:40 the next morning. A kind young lady at the information booth was willing to help me book my flight and use my debit card to pay for it. She also helped me get my laptop connected to the airport Wifi. When I sat down on some hard plastic chairs to wait, another kind lady that worked there, told me that down stairs there was an area with soft chairs and sofas where I could spend the night with other passengers and there were food stands and restrooms. I pulled my three suitcases, still on a cart to the elevator and staked out my spot for a long day and night. It was just a little before noon. The airport provides 24/7 Wifi and I checked out the news and then my email. It was there that I had a notice from the hotel where I had just left, that I had booked another night stay at the hotel. The night clerk had just cheated me for whatever reason and it would cost me my $100 deposit that was to be returned in 5 days.  There was a reply area on the email and I stated I did not make that booking and that I forgave him for what he did. I still had my luggage with me and in one of them I had a half a loaf of multigrain bread, a small jar of peanut butter and one of jam that I had used at the hotel to have some food to eat there, and now I had food to eat while I was waited. I blessed people who helped me and those I met waiting to leave and also let the presence of God touch lives in ways that only He can. There were over forty people spending the night there, who were able to sleep in every position you could imagine. Some even had a blanket from their backpack to cover them. But I was not able to sleep, except for an hour from 4:30 to 5:30 and so I spent most of the time walking and praying. I was finally able to check-in with the help from people who work there, every airport seemed to have a different arrangement regarding weighing luggage and security, but God always provides the people, for an old man like me, who needs help. I still had two hours before my flight left and I had spent the last of my Australian currency except for some change and I was hungry, and I had a Snicker candy bar that I would have on the plane. There was a vending machine where I could buy a drink or some chips for $4, but I was short 40 cents. So I went over to a family that was also wait for their flight and asked for the extra change but they didn't, however the wife took me back to the machime and used her card to pay and I got my onion and vinegar chips and I thanked and blessed her. Then I ate half of the bag and saved the rest to have on the plane, beside I had no water to quench my thirst. On the plane I had a window set and I put my coat against the window and laid my head on it as I watched the plane take off and that was the last thing I remember. When I woke up about an hour later, so I had the rest of my chips and my candy bar as a flight attendant passed by with beverages and I asked for a small cup of water and then drank it. I had emailed Sangeeta when my flight would arrive in Fiji and they said they would be there to meet me. It was hot and humid when the plane  landed in Fiji, but at least I would have a place to stay with friends with A/C. When I got through immigration and had my luggage, Sangeeta and Ravi were there to meet me with a big hug and a big plate of warm french fries and four grilled hotdogs with spicy grilled onions on top, along with a cup of pineapple juice they had poured from a carton of juice. I was stuffed and I noticed a receipt left on  the table and I took a quick look at it to see what they had paid for my meal, it was a little over $10, which was a good deal at an airport. We walked out of the airport and there was the taxi man who had brought me there four days earlier. They loaded my luggage and went to pay the parking fee at a pay booth for the time they had been there. The fee was $5 in Fijian or about $3.50 in American. However no one had any more money, they had spent the last they had on my meal and the driver had no money either. I had no Fijian currency except my Debit card which the attendant at the booth suggested we could use it to pay the parking fee, and then the steel arm bar would rise and let us out. After we left there, I said since nobody has any money, I guess our next stop will be at the ATM machine near Ravi house and we can do a little shopping while we are there. And I could also pay the taxi man. Welcome to Fiji. My home for the next three month. It will be interesting to see what wonderful plans God has for all of us.