During my studies at Helderberg in 2010, I had to fly back to Durban one weekend to attend EXCOM. I arranged with the lecturer that I will be one hour late on Monday for class as I booked the 6am flight back to Cape Town.

As I checked in at King Shaka Airport in Durban, it was announced that the flight to Cape Town is being delayed for half an hour, adding to my stress being late already for class. After checking in and going through security, I made my way to boarding Gate A6. As I had some time to kill, I browsed through the duty-free shops and later found a seat at Gate A6 waiting to board. People started to queue at the security check and I joined them.

I asked if anyone checked the weather for Cape Town but people just looked at me not responding to my question. Well, I thought, I will get the info once we are ready for take-off. We went through the security check and again the hostess asked for my boarding pass on entering the plane. I proceeded to seat 28C, stowed my luggage away, took my seat and I was ready for take-off.

A gentleman approached me claiming that I took his seat. I showed him my boarding pass with my seat nr and he left. Meanwhile I started conversing with the passenger on my left and asked him his whereabouts. He mentioned that he had some family business to attend to in Johannesburg and will then fly out of the country on leave. At that point we were interrupted by the hostess asking for my boarding pass. By the look on her face, and the conversation I had with my new friend, it struck me even before she could open her mouth, that I was on the wrong plane! I asked her ‘Is this plane going to Johannesburg?’ and she confirmed my fear of being on the wrong plane.

I looked at the queue coming down the aisle, and realised that I was in trouble. I rose from my seat, and announced loud and clear ‘Excuse me people, but I am on the wrong plane.’ Understanding my dilemma, they just cleared the way and I moved like lightning to the entrance of the plane asking the hostess which boarding gate go to. She responded ‘A8.’ I made my way at the speed of lightning, trying to catch my flight to Cape Town!

For some reason I missed the announcement that due to the delay of the Cape Town flight, the boarding gates were switched around. As I ran towards Gate A8, the final call for passengers to board their flight to Cape Town came over the intercom. I thought of our Lord’s emergency telephone number, 501415, and claimed the promise ‘and call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver thee and thou shall glorify Me.’ As I approached Gate A8, I saw the last passenger entering the plane. I just prayed, ‘Please Lord!’

The smile on the hostess’ face, and her words ‘we were waiting for you’ brought such a relief to me. I found my seat, stowed away my luggage and just thanked the Lord that I only travelled with hand luggage for this flight. As I took my seat, fastening my seat belt, all I could say, was, ‘Lord why did you delay this flight?’

Back in class, I relate my experience to Dr Gwala and my fellow students, and all he said, was ‘you’ve got a testimony to share.’ I opened my Bible and read aloud Ps 50:14,15 and thanked the Lord for His faithfulness.

As often as I relive that experience, I always asked myself ‘Lord, why do you delay your coming?’ then I am reminded of 2 Pet 3: 9, 10 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night…” Thank you Lord, indeed, Great is thy faithfulness!

Ps. Gert J v Rensburg