A Trackhoe Miracle

Elder Van Sickle and I have been stationed in East London the last

few days. We drive into the township of Mdantsane and work there

everyday helping people get employed. The Bishop of Mdantsane

3rd ward asked Elder Van Sickle about moving a huge rock in the

middle of soccer field on the church grounds. Because of the rock

they weren't able to use the field for church activites. So the Bishop and Elder Van Sickle planned a service project with the young men to meet on Saturday and they planned to jackhammer

the rock to break it up and move the pieces.

     Saturday arrived and the bishop and Elder Van Sickle was really excited for this project to begin. The sad thing was none of

the young men showed up for the project. There was Bishop, Elder

Van sickle and six young missionaries. They all took turns using the Jack Hammer. The rock was huge and very stubborn. It would not break up. After about 3 hours of Jack Hammering and not getting anywhere the bishop and the missionaries were ready to

give up besides it had started raining. Elder Van Sickle told me

about then he wished he had a trackhoe with a breaker on it ( Like

the ones back home in our business) He happened to look out

toward the street and saw a big rig with a trailer hauling a trackhoe

with a breaker on it. It turned into the road to the church by the new

hospital that was being built. Elder Van Sickle ran over to talk to the

guy and asked him if he could get him to come by maybe next week. He said he was a week behind schedule and he would see

when he could fit them in. Elder Van Sickle came back to the field

thinking that they wouldn't be able to finish the project today. When

it wasn't 5 minutes later. He heard a trackhoe and looked up. The

guy was driving the trackhoe into the church parking lot. Then down to the field. He pulled the rock out and rolled it with the breaker off the field not only that he came back with a backhoe and filled up the hole. Elder Van Sickle and I thought this to be a

big miracle of the lord. One of his tender mercies. You do all you

can ( your part ) and the lord will see you through. We thank the

lord for all his help each day of our mission. We love you Mom and

dad and Grandpa and Grandma, Elder and Sister Van Sickle