A Very Present Help in Trouble

“The Apparent Project sure was a bee hive of activity.. ” I stop in mid sentence, not believing my eyes.

“What is that?”

Two vehicles ahead of us several men are pulling large branches and tree trunks across the road forming a barricade. Seconds later the pile bursts into flame.

I rub my eyes. Is this real?

Honk, Honk. The two vehicles in front of us are trying to back up.

“What is going on?”

“I have no idea,” Gene Jones replies nervously, backing up our vehicle too.

“Me neither,” adds Jan, his wife.

“I thought everyone was happy with the election results and I haven’t heard anything about protests, so what’s happening?” I wonder out loud.

Unsure of what to do Gene backs up some more and we wait. Craning my neck to assess the situation further I notice that other then the burning barricade not much seems to be happening.

“I don’t think any vehicle is getting through that anytime soon and I don't know a different route, so I might as well walk home from here, it’s not far.”

“Okay,” the Jones’s reluctantly agree.

I lift Jayden and his stuffed doggy Cocoa out of the car and say goodbye. Holding them both in my arms I cautiously make my way to the burning road block.

The Caribbean sun reaching its zenith, burns mercilessly while the added heat of the blazing fire makes the temperature almost unbearable.

Ignoring the heat I edge closer while continuing to assess the situation. From my vantage point I can see that several tires and a bag full of garbage have been added to the fire.

I look around to see who is responsible but it’s hard to tell. A crowd is beginning to form but they seem more curious then fearful. Several bystanders have begun directing traffic. I glance at the street vendors and notice that they’re not moving. Everyone seems relatively calm.

I watch as several motorcycles and people make their way past the barricade to the right without any problems so I decide to do the same. Keeping my eyes wide open for trouble, I carefully make my way towards the barricade. Still holding Jayden, I do my best to shield him as hot ashes and soot blow at us.

No one stops us.

Picking up the pace now, I hurry on. Reaching the bend a police officer in an unmarked vehicle pulls to a stop in front of the fiery barricade. He looks at it for a moment and then backs up and turns around. Seeing Jayden and I he rolls down his window.

“Tout bon?” he asks.

I nod, I’m okay.

He looks at me doubtfully, and I offer a weak smile. I guess I look worried. When we’ve rounded the bend I put Jayden down and reach for my phone. Jason doesn’t answer, but when I call Christine she does.

“It might have something to do with an accident,” she tells me. Her house is only a stone’s throw from the burning barricade so she promises to keep an eye on it and send out updates.

Calming my pounding heart I send a silent prayer upward to my Father who is everywhere present.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1