NOW, where was I before the end of last week's column interrupted me? Ah, yes - me and 14 teenagers saved from a mangled mush.

I'd been explaining how God often turns up when we stop being our own gods and let him have the position. Especially when we cry out for help.

The saving episode was in Lido di Jesolo, opposite Venice. I was driving our packed mini-bus after picking up two locals who knew the way to our camp site.

"Which the way is?" I fumbled my Italian phrase book.

"Aaaarghh!!" came a terrified teen scream.

The car that had been 200 yards ahead was now 10 yards away, waiting to turn left across heavy passing traffic.

To our right was a ditch. No time to brake. No room to pass. I swerved, preferring ditch mud to crunching hard metal. All dived to the floor.

I shut my eyes and screamed off an SOS: "God, you can't do this!"

Well, not after weeks of training for his work. Me and my Blackburn church youth were in Italy to tell bored English holidaymakers how Jesus offered real abundant life 52 weeks a year instead of them just existing for the annual Costa fortnight.

A delighted, whooping applause eventually prised open my eyes. We'd passed the still-stopped car, and the road ahead was blissfully empty. I braked, and joined in the applause.

Well, why not? I knew it wasn't for me.

Rev Kevin Logan, Vicar of Christ Church, Accrington