Sunday, August 19, 2012

An African Passover

Friday at 3:00pm, right during the  height of the Be Disciples youth conference, the storm hit. It took us all by surprise to say the least. It had been raining a little bit here but it seemed like the rainy season was about over. A couple of days of sun and heat had lulled us into a false sense of meteorological peace and security.

With 260 youth on the compound all having a blessed time of learning and fellowship,who had time to look up? Then it started to drizzle. 90 seconds later the rain came for real. I hoped it would stop quickly but the storm had different plans. It rained even harder  Then we remembered the tent.

Our tent is an 80' by 20' tarp that has relatively few holes in it so it is worth saving. But without holes it has no way to release the water. I decided I'd better check. As was feared the tent had begun to resemble an above ground pool only this one was literally three to four feet above the ground.  Since poking holes to let it drain was not an option, Faisal and I tried to lift the tent upwards to drain the water off the sides.

Now I admit sometimes I'm not too bright and this was one of those times. Two hundred gallons of water weighs approximately the same as an early model Volkswagon bug fully loaded with twenty high schoolers of your choice. Pushing didn't work since we had to push it up about four feet.. The ropes would have to be untied. Only problem is you can't be under the tent to untie it. So out in the rain we go. The rain is coming harder, the water is getting heavier and the tent is hanging lower but we finally got it done. Faisal and I even managed to avoid being swept away in the flood from the now collapsing tent! People wonder why I don't go white water rafting. Why should I when the same amount of terror is right here at home?

But the cool part is the African Passover. The winds were really howling during all this. We lost two trees on the compound and many in the neighborhood. The next day Patrick and Robert came and told me how it was just like we had read Wednesday night at bible study. Asking how, they said it was just like the Pasover. God protected  his people in His house and His people's houses. Apparently the wind tore the roofs off the houses next to the ones the church  rebuilt and the roof off the Ministry of Works building across the street. My friends were excited to tell the story of how God had spared them by passing over their houses.. All I could say was "Amen" to that!

I do have to admit I'm not sure what to expect this week. It is Exodus 13-15 the parting of the Red Sea  it should be very exciting and hopefully drier!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Armed Robbers!

This is no joke! Yesterday four armed men forced Bev off the road as she was coming back from the bank. As she slowed down to turn into our compound a car cut her off and the thugs jumped out. We had seen two armed robberies in front of our house and we had prayed it would never be us. Today we can't say that. But today we give thanks to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that in the worst case scenario He is right there watching over us.

As Bev saw the men she started to scream for help. Steven heard her and ran towards the gate and hollered for me to come. Reaching the street Stephen tried to keep the the driver from taking off and I ran over to see if Bev was okay. Then I saw a man holding an AK47 yelling for Bev to open the passenger door. At first I thought he was a security officer but then realized that he and the one with him were thieves and were planning to shoot Bev. I tried to pull her out of the car but couldn't since the robber had his gun pointed at her. I waved with my hands "Don't shoot, wait!" Then I started around the back of the car. Just then they fired a shot at Bev shattering the passenger window and spraying her with glass.

I ran back to Bev and found her laying across the passenger seat. My heart sunk. Then I realized there was no blood and Bev sat up! This time she got out of the vehicle and we ran across the street into the compound. I told Kelli to lock the gate then get Bev inside. Then I ran back to check on Steven.

The driver of the thieves' car had managed to get away so when they fired at Bev, Steven ran towards the car as the thieves ran off. Steven followed in pursuit. They fired two shoots at him but he keep after them. Finally coming close to them they turned around and headed back in Steven's direction then walked past him. Then Steven pelted one of them in the back of the head with a stone, knocking him to the ground.


By this time Rogers, Davis, Joseph and I were spread out into the banana plantation
looking for the thieves. Apparently the one with the gun abandoned his friend, who Steven had stoned, and jumped on a waiting motorcycle. The guys managed to catch and hold the bleeding thief who we locked in our compound. There were more minor injuries to our guys trying to keep the mob from killing him but they kept him until the police came.

Two hours later after fetching the fingerprint man from his barracks and taking him back again Bev and I went to Central Police Station. We were led into an office to give our statements and there on the floor was the bleeding thief, giving his statement. Part of me wanted to go kick him in the head. Part of me wanted to know what drives a man like that.

Perhaps I don't need to know. Perhaps I just need to remember that God is in control and trust Him to do His will. We are extremely thankful that God let none of us be severely injured or killed. He has been so gracious to us. Thank you Lord!