Right when I needed it the most

I was a little past half way to Pucallpa on my motorcycle when I pulled in the clutch to start slowing down to wait for the chance to pass a taxi car in front of me, when it died. I tried multiple times to restart it while I coasted to a stop at the side of the road. Both feet now on the ground I thought to possibly try the kick start, but to no avail. Back to the electric start, which thankfully recently got fixed. And then there was life. After putting it in first, I took off. Getting closer and closer to downtown Pucallpa there is a lot more traffic, and sure enough someone pulled out in front of me. Pulling in the clutch again, turned off the motorcycle. Back on the side of the road, I go through the same routine that I did before. It is even harder to get started this time. Barely giving it any gas, it is sure doing a lot of sputtering. I think it might have something to with the carburetor since it sounded similar to just before we got that replaced. By now I am around kilometer six somewhere when again someone is again right in front of me. This time instead of pulling in the clutch, I let up on the gas. More sputtering and then it dies. Making it over to the side of the road for the third time, I think to check the gas. Why I did not think of this earlier, I don’t know. I wiggle the bike from side to side but don’t hear anything. So after taking off my helmet and open up the gas tank, I do it again. Nothing. Great, now I am going to have to push the motorcycle to the next gas station. I don’t recall passing one recently. After putting it in neutral, I begin to push it with my legs while still sitting on it. Not far in front of me is a downhill, where I am able to pick up my legs and coast down the hill. Just as I was approaching the bottom of the hill and to start up a hill, I felt a slight bump and realized that I was moving faster than I was coasting. Looking over my shoulder I saw a motorcar (a motorcycle taxi) behind me. My first thought was that Jose, (other motorcycle owner) once ran out of gas and had a motorcar driver push him with his foot on the back of the motorcycle, while he drove his motorcar. I turned and looked back again, but could not see his foot because of my helmet and wearing my backpacking backpack, so I waved and said, “Gracias!” At first I stayed to the side of the road but then there was someone going slower right in front of me. So I went around him, and by this time the road flattened out. Shortly after, I could see a gas station in the distance on the left side. Then I motioned to the motorcar driver what I saw and that I was going to go over to the left side. I checked over my shoulder again, and made my way through traffic to the left side of the road and up a hill, with the motorcar driver still pushing me with his foot. When I got to an opening in the median, he gave me one final push, but I had to put on the brake to wait for traffic. When it was clear, I pushed the motorcycle across the street and into the gas station. The motorcar driver also stopped and got some gas and I waved as he went by. After getting some gas, had a little trouble starting again, but then I was on my way into Pucallpa.
Looking back on this experience it amazes me how I did not even ask this motorcar driver for help. He must have seen me pushing my motorcycle before the downhill and recognized that I was out of gas. I am extremely thankful for him helping me because I would have been pushing my motorcycle for a little ways. It reminds me of the parable of the “Good Samaritan” where a Samaritan helped out a Jew (assumed). In my case it was a Peruvian helping out an American. Right when I need it the most, when I was going to have to push my bike up the hill, the motorcar driver helped me. I am beginning to realize this is when God likes to help us, right when we need Him the most. Not before, so that we may attribute God’s work as other means, but exactly when we need Him the most so that His name will be glorified. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”