God Story: Fuel & Friends

Sorry for the grammar! I wanted to get this out quick! Truly a God story!!

Some weeks ago we learned there was a big fuel problem between Kenya and Uganda.
It was only a matter of time before we here in Rwanda would start to see the effects of this, low & behold it wasn’t long till we found it becoming harder and harder to find fuel.
It became some sort of game in the international community, always phoning several people or receiving several phone calls. T he topic always “where is the fuel today, and how much can I get?” It made me think about the stories I was told as a kid about the great depression in the U.S. of cars lined up for miles out side patrol stations just to get a few liters of fuel.

Now a few weeks later the problem is still very much a reality!
Where is the fuel? How much can I get today?
On one day I literally went to over 20 patrol stations and no one would give me any fuel, all of them saying they had none. The strange thing was that at some stations I would see vehicles being served. I was getting desperate, I began to beg the attendants just to give me a few liter’s, I would pay them double the price.
Still no takers! This went on for a day or so. Instead they started asking me if I had a Bon. I thought what the hec is a Bon?? No one was answering my questions, but it was obvious that the people who were getting fuel had these Bon’s. So it looked to me that the fuel was not the main issue, it was there, but to obtain any of it, one must have these Bon’s.
I went to still another station, this time praying before getting out of the car. Lord I said this is not my problem, please let me find the answers here, I need fuel!! I asked to the attendant if they had fuel he said NO. I asked if I could buy a Bon. Not understanding he said yes, give me your Bon I can help you.
I explained to him that I did not have a Bon but would do what ever it took to acquire one, asking him to please help me. He began to explain to me that I needed to go to the main office not to far from there and talk to them about buying the Bon’s. Then when having them I could go to any patrol station affiliated with them to get fuel.
Thank God, now I understood, it is some sort of prepay system. Going to the head office I felt hope, I am finally getting some where I thought. I went to reception telling them I would like to buy some Bon’s, No problem sir, the lady behind the desk says as she asks me for my account number. What account number I ask. Oh she says this is your first time with us, to buy Bon’s? Yes I said can I please set up an account? No she says I’m sorry we are not receiving any new accounts at this time, there is a fuel problem in Rwanda you know. But if you would like to send us a letter of request, we can at least begin the process.
By this time I thought I was going to lose it…. So how long do you expect to have this problem I asked and does this mean that I can not get any fuel from any of your patrol stations? We hope it will be fixed in a week or so she says, and No I am sorry, you can not get fuel with out the Bon’s. So with a polite smile and kind thank you I left the office…..

I thought to my self, what the hec is going on??? There is more to this problem than there seems.
If they won’t help me then I guess I will go see there competitor. Driving to the next station, I pull in line as there were other trucks being fueled. I can see all the attendants and what looks like the manger all scrambling around looking at me and trying to decide who was going to talk to me. Finally a man appears at my window, in French and in very broken English he says “I sorry we fuel no”.
I tell him I know I want to buy a Bon. So in Kin Rwandan he starts saying “ok, ok, no problem give me Bon, I help you. I think oh (Q&#$*Q%@$*) here I go again. Just then this boy who speaks very good English comes and asked if he can help. Buy this time I had already been talking or trying to talk to this guy for the last 20min. I felt like hugging the kid! So with the help of my new found friend I explain to the guy that my car is on less than empty, I have been to more than 20 stations and no one, especially his competitors will help me. I find my self explaining to him the attendants and what appears to be the manager all about my ministry and how God has called us to Rwanda.

To make a long story short…..

I find out this guy is the owner of the station, he and all his workers are Christians. They put fuel in my car; take me for a drive out of the city, up to the top of some mountain that happens to be the main fuel refinery of the country. The mountain top is cluttered with 50 to 60 fuel tanker most of witch, are off loading. I am then lead to an office where I meet more Christians who want to know all about my ministry as they are setting up my account. After the fact, I am told, don’t worry about fuel!! Any times you need more Bon’s just come and see us.

On our way back to Kigali, the owner of the station asked me if I wouldn’t mind coming to him when I need the fuel.
I tell him, you are the only one that helped me when I really needed it. Yes my friend I will come to you when I need fuel….

THE END