Near Disaster This is a recent picture of the new trailer. We have already done a lot of work.

 

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(Cont) Smoke began to billow from the back of my Jeep Grand Cherokee. I quickly reached over and disconnected the lights. This did not help as the Jeep had now filled entirely with smoke. Realizing at that point the ignition and lights were on, I ran to the driver’s side of the car and turned off the ignition and lights. I ran around to the back and opened the hatch and thick black smoke poured out of the Jeep.

Panic began to wrap its ugly little fingers around my heart as it became clear this was more serious than a short. Despite the fact that the wiring was disconnected, and the ignition was off, smoke rose with greater intensity from behind the panel in the driver’s side rear of the Jeep. The panel is screwed and clipped on. As I looked a little more closely, I could see light coming from the speaker vent on the panel. The car was not just smoking. It was on fire! Quickly in my head, I thought about getting a screwdriver to remove the panel, but just as quickly dismissed it since I thought the car would be beyond my ability to extinguish the fire at that point.

I reached with my hands and pulled with all of my might to dislodge the panel. It was open just enough I figured to put out the fire. Looking around I spotted a towel on the floor next to the panel. I shoved it in the crack between the wall and the panel hoping to smother the fire. I didn’t work. I almost caught the towel on fire instead.

Without thinking clearly I ran into the house, knocking over the dogs who were waiting excitedly at the door and running to the cabinet for a large cup. I found an old 40oz 7-11 cup which I filled with water and ran back out to the jeep. The smoke was coming out from the car heavier and darker by the time I arrived. I pulled on the panel and splashed the water up on the fire. I might as well have blown on it. Nothing! The fire was growing brighter.

At this point my options were racing through my mind. Should I try to pull the car and trailer out into the middle of the street and let them burn? Mind you, I have only about four inches of clearance on either side of the Jeep and I wasn’t sure if my nerves were steady enough to pull out without getting the trailer caught. Should I get away? After all the fire was burning just on the other side from my fuel fill-up.

Visions of my car exploding, me dying, and my house burning to the ground – all three days before Christmas were becoming very real to me.

I could not afford to let the car burn so I headed for the hose. I turned it on and raced back to the car and shoved it between the panel and blasted it into the space. The fire was finally extinguished and, after waiting to see that it was truly out, I collapsed on the couch in the living room. My hands were shaking. It could have been so bad.

About an hour later I was cleaning up and noticed a shiny object on the ground about three feet away from the car. It was my wedding ring. I have no idea how or when it had come off. Fortunately, the damage to the car was not severe and I escaped injury. God must have been looking out for me. I hate to think what would have happened if this had occurred on the freeway. The car would have burned to the ground at a minimum.

I called Jeanette and relayed the whole situation to her.

Jeanette said I am no longer allowed to work on the electrical on the trailer. I will not fight her on this one.

(End)

We were blessed that no one was injured. It could have been so much worse. Please keep Ripples in your prayers. It is our heart to reach out to children for God.

If you would like to help out our ministry, please contact the Brook office and let them know it's for Ripples.

 

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