Article December 17, 2001 Issue

Traveling ... lost and tired? You've got a guide

By Elizabeth Weir

My Daughter And I had just stepped off an overcrowded bus, after a ten-hour trip in Peru. We stood there in the busy street—hot, tired, and discouraged, with nowhere to stay that night. And neither of us spoke Spanish.

With the crowd surging around us, I stepped aside and leaned against the wall of a shop to support my heavy backpack. I closed my eyes. The first thing that came to mind was something from the Bible: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10). This silent prayer took less than ten seconds, but was sufficient to assure me immediately that God was there and in control.

I opened my eyes. Nothing around us had changed. But seconds later a young man pushed his way through the crowd and came directly toward us. To our delight, he spoke English. He explained that he had seen us from the other side of the street and realized that we needed assistance. This wonderful young man found us a taxi and took us to a hostel that suited us in every way. What's more, eager to practice his English, he spent the next two days as our personal guide, introducing us to his fascinating city and its people.

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