Faith of a Drunkard

So last night 08/11/08 I got to experience something interesting. My squad car at some point early on in the shift started to show signs of a bad battery. On one call I was not able to turn the car back on and I had to request a Sergeant with jumper cables to come save me.

Once the car was back on I decided to not turn it off again to avoid future problems for the rest of the shift. Soon after I was dispatched to a call involving a chronically alcoholic little Mexican man. As soon as I arrived I turned the car off and started dealing with the call. After a brief investigation I realized this man was going to have to be transported to assist me with identifying two criminals. (Little Mexican drunkard was the victim). (Keep in mind the whole conversation was in Spanish and only the two of us were fully understanding all that was going on as others around did not speak Spanish).

As I was going to get him in the car I realized the car was turned off and realized I shouldn't have turned it off (just habit I guess). I tried to turn the car on and it didnt turn one bit. I got on the radio and requested my Sergeant again and once he was on his way I went to tell the victim that we would have to wait because my car wouldnt start. The little Mexican drunkard said to me.... "I see in your eyes you are a man of God and your soul is at peace, I will call upon God to start your car so we can proceed with justice in our cause", the man stood up and looked up and yelled in a loud voice in front of many other homeless individuals in the area "JESUS, START THE CAR".

At this moment I decided to continue playing the game and I told him let me try your faith and lets see if the car starts... I got in turned the key and guess what! The car started up like nothing! I got on the radio and canceled the Sergeant and continued with my investigation.

I ended up transporting this guy to the Center Against Family Violence where I did it again! I turned the car off without thinking and immediately tried to start it again but was unsuccessful. After about 3 attempts I just got out and got the little Mexican drunkard out of my car and told him I needed his faith again. He looked up and yelled "JESUS, LET THE CAR START" and again I entertained this little drama playing out and again the car started on the first attempt.

I didn't turn the car off for the rest of my shift until I was done for the night... This was an experience I will like to remember as the faith of drunkard proved to me that God listens to all his children and even the little Mexican drunkard is heard from above and granted little moments of faith building experiences for those who are ready to observe and be strengthened.