09/04/2026
In 2003, during the Bolivian Gas War, missionaries were trapped in their apartments as protests turned violent and a 12 mile stretch of highway was barricaded. Martial law was declared. Gunfire could be heard from their apartments.
The mission president had to main problems:
First, no gas had entered the country for five days and the mission cars were all on less than a quarter gas.
And second, the mission car was a large white Toyota, one commonly used by the government and a large target to the protesters. How would he get to the missionaries?
While deep in prayer in the early morning hours, the mission president got the impression: “leave now to find gas.”
He woke up his wife and they left without hesitation.
There, outside their neighborhood, they saw a gas tanker driving slowly. They followed it to a gas station and got gas.
Then, they got to the most dangerous stretch of highway. Suddenly, they saw a convoy of military cars. Many of the cars were, you guessed it, large white Toyotas identical to their own.
Later, they learned that convoy was carrying the Bolivian president. They slipped into the convoy and were safely protected until they got to their destination to pick up the missionaries.
During that first passover, God asked the Israelites to eat with their shoes on and their walking sticks in hands.
To eat in haste and be ready.
And then, when the Israelites were told to leave,
They grabbed their dough, put it on their shoulders, and left.
No time to put yeast in.
That is why, during the Passover, the Jews do not eat leavened bread on the days leading up to the Passover.
They want to remember that urgency. That faith. That obedience. That deliverance.
Those mission leaders had their metaphorical walking shoes on and rods ready.
They grabbed their dough for that day and they went with haste.
I want to be ready to do the same.
I want dough on my shoulder, walking shoes on, type of faith.
Art: Emily Shay