Since I was very young, my parents taught me that God is always in control. I have lived that truth and share it when teaching God’s Word. But about a month ago, I experienced this truth in a situation I never imagined happening.
I was flying back to Houston from a work trip, and the connecting flight was in Dubai. The flight into Dubai was very enjoyable. The layover was a quick couple of hours in which I enjoyed a good burger with two work colleagues as we looked forward to getting home to Houston.
We boarded our flight and settled comfortably in our seats, preparing for the 15-hour flight. The airplane doors were closed, and we waited for the safety videos to begin and the plane to start backing out of the gate. But 10, 20, 30 minutes passed … and we were still at the gate.
A message came on about waiting for some clearance. I thought nothing of it, but another 15 minutes or so passed. Then my coworker sitting next to me said: “Change your screen to live TV.”
On the screen, Israel had just begun its attack against Iran! I did not see where in Iran the bombing was taking place, but at it’s shortest distance the United Arab Emirates, where I was, is only about 35 miles away from Iran just across the Persian Gulf. The next thing my coworker said was, “I do not think we are flying out today.”
About three long hours later, we were finally deboarded from the airplane and my adventure in Dubai began. The flight was cancelled and the plan was to leave the airport as quickly as we could once Emirates Airlines assigned us to a hotel. When that happened and we left, little did I know I would never be returning to the airport for the rest of my time in Dubai.
Throughout all the chaos and hectic activity, I kept thinking, “God meant for me to be here.” The six following days spent in Dubai were a roller coaster of emotions from fear to frustration — but never desperation. Especially the first few days, from within our hotel we could hear … and feel explosions as the war continued. Knowing there was a possibility that our hotel could be hit brought a mix of emotions. I kept telling myself in all of this: “Do not freak out until something happens. React once the hotel is attacked — otherwise stay calm!”
My family happened to be in Houston as they had gathered to celebrate the finalizing of my niece’s adoption. So, all were present on FaceTime when I told them of being stuck in Dubai with no clue when I would get home. The waves of emotion were really high! Going through my head was: “I might never get to see my family in person again.” I will never forget what that felt like — yet was prompted to hold all thoughts captive to the Lord. I knew and believed that the Lord’s hands were all over the situation — and I was in His hands!
I soon also shared the situation with extended family, the prayer team, and fellow elders at The Fellowship — and all were praying. I have never had my phone beeping as much with messages like “We are praying for you” and “We are thinking about you.” God spoke to me through all the prayers and messages with the words: “Remember, I am in control.”
Since I was on a work trip, my company created an evacuation plan that ended up taking me from Dubai to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to Istanbul, Turkey, and finally to Houston! I never expected to spend an entire day on a bus traveling through Saudi Arabia or spending a day in Istanbul along with coworkers anxiously waiting news of a flight that would finally take us home.
I was met by my sister, brother-in-law and little nephew and niece at the airport. All I could think of was how God worked through the prayers of so many to get me home. It was so gratifying to hug and kiss everyone, especially my nephew and niece knowing they had no clue what I had gone through. They just demonstrated their happiness to see their uncle.
My tears of joy were mixed with tears of gratitude as I contemplated what could have been! To readjust, I took some days off work and did as many normal things as possible.
I am still processing it all. My return home should have been February 28, but it did not happen until late on March 6. And since I was never able to return to the Dubai airport … my luggage finally arrived at my house 23 days after I had checked it in.
I rejoice in the work the Lord did in my heart and life throughout this ordeal. How grateful I will forever be for the Lord’s grace and mercy as He took me through such a traumatic experience, totally relying on Him, knowing I was and will always be in His hands.
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein.
Psalm 24:1
