Two thirds of the way through the session, Jesse came in and signaled that they wanted Steve back out. They needed him in the driver’s seat. The decision had been made to simply attempt to drag the bus out of the hole. This was a last ditch effort, because dragging the bus out could have caused serious damage.
The tow truck had been brought to the front and chained to tow hooks that are attached to the front of the bus.  They told everybody to get back because if the chains broke they could be very dangerous. He tried to pull but he couldn’t get it to move although the steel plate that was now under his tire shot out toward the bus, but didn’t hit it. The tow truck didn’t have enough traction to pull Uriah out.







Then they hooked up the wheel loader to the front of the tow truck and started pulling. The driver of the wheel loader told Mary that it was a bit scary because the front of his loader was lifting up as he pulled and his wheels were slipping. He said he felt it all relied on him so he just stepped on the throttle. It was a hard pull, but the bus finally came free. It had to be pulled about ½ of the block before it was on solid pavement.




After the bus was free, the right front wheel bearing needed to be cleaned because of the dirt that had gotten into it when the asphalt popped the oil fill cap off. Reg had disappeared and came back with the materials needed and did that job. They had figured out a place for us to park for the night so we followed a pick up truck to the lumberyard. We were so grateful for those who invested their time and resources to help us. We offered to compensate the primary men that helped and they graciously declined. We feel their kind hearts represented the sentiments of the city.
Meanwhile, people milled around inside, browsing the book tables. When people were done, the girls packed up, and then several men helped to carry the boxes out to a pick up truck, which was going to be our shuttle to the bus.
Although we would not have chosen to go through what we did Wednesday evening, we are grateful for the work the Lord did in our hearts, and yes, we are thankful that Uriah was still drivable. God is good, all the time, in situations that turn out well and in situations that don’t. Thank you for faithfully praying for us!

“And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Wowwee! What an amazing story & all while a conference is going on. I imagine it was hard to keep your minds focused on the material for the conference, while all that was happening outside with the bus. How wonderful & great, that the LORD allowed Uriah not to be damaged & you are still able to complete your conference commitments & return home to Kansas soon.
God, You are *SO* good!
Incredible! Absolutely incredible! So glad that God brought so many people — who weren’t part of the conference — to witness the power of the Gospel through lives poured out in patience and perseverance! How good of God to have prepared you all “for such a time as this” through the prerecording of the videos! AND grateful that Uriah is driveable! Wow! SO MUCH PRAISE!!!!
Thanks for sharing this with us! Praying for you all!!!!
I am glad to hear that Uriah was freed without any damage done trying to get the bus unstuck. What a blessing from the people of that community helping out in the way they did for all of you and Uriah.
As I read about your experience and as I contemplate the way God has faithfully be with you, I can only praise Him for His goodness, His graciousness toward you. You are working for Him and I believe He allowed this situation to come in order to strengthen your faith in Him, and to see how His mighty hand is on you.
The way you responded to the very unkind comment is an encouragement to me. Thank you.
It reminds me of a quote I read recently:
“The moment we come into any trial or difficulty, our first thought should be, not how soon we can escape from it, or how we may lessen the pain we shall suffer from it, but how we can best glorify God in it.” Susannah Spurgeon
I believe it reflects the way you reacted. May you continue to come higher, and may our Saviour bless you,
Elisabeth