Anyway, what is worse, we woke up this morning and we had been robbed. Praise the Lord they did not get in the house but they took all of Daniel's tools and 3 pairs of shoes that were drying right beside our front door (inside our gate). It poured rain last night and in the rain Daniel helped a guy fix his bike so he took his tools out of his car and didn't return them there because he didn't want to get wet again. He hid them under a chair but we think someone saw the shoes and climbed our BIG fence (with spikes on top!) to get them and saw the tools as well. I will be honest, I am a little nervous...I just don't want anyone in the house. I know the Lord did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind and this is what the Lord has reminded me of all day. I am writing all of this just to ask you to pray for us because it has been a difficult, emotional 2 weeks. Please join us in praying Psalm 91 over our family and our home. We love you and thank you for praying!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Please pray for us
Despite getting settled and celebrating Costa Rica's independence over the past 2 weeks, we have had some trying times as well. In short, a guy showed up here from Nicaragua and was told to find our church and we would help him find work and continue to disciple him (There is NO work in Nica) So, he showed up and we as a team came along side him--fed him, gave him a place to stay, a bike to use--he got a job, etc. He is a believer and a really sweet guy. Well, last week we noticed our camera missing and were extremely baffled. We have had many people in and out of our home and we had no idea what could have happened to it. (Of course we initially "accused" the children of hiding it) Anyway, long story short, we found out last weekend it was our friend we have been ministering to who stole the camera. In addition, he stole some money from us last Saturday--Daniel caught him. We were, of course, very hurt and had to make him leave our home. We gave him food, prayed for him and told him we needed time. Of course he was very apologetic and we forgave him but we were very hurt. In the meantime he lost his job and was living on the street this week. We continued to feed him and he came to church last Sunday. After much discussion and prayer with him, we sent him back on a bus last night to Nica to his family. This situation was different because he wasn't some heathen off the street--he professed the name of Christ...he knew Christ...he was sent here by his Christian mentor. We have learned very quickly that theft is such a part of the nature of so many people here--this survival mentality--that they are in bondage to...
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5 comments:
Praying for sure!
Love you!
Sal and Mari
I am sorry to hear about the stealing incidents. Unfortunately that is something very common in Latin American countries and culture. As a Mexican I've always been amazed at the lack of walls around houses in the US. Truly a statement to the different concept of honesty (sure, stuff gets stolen here too but at least people want to emphasize the fact that it is not something expected)... We have a saying in Spanish "confia en Dios pero cierra bien tu coche"...
I'll be thinking of you guys.
Yes, unfortunately Petty Theft is quite normal here in Mexico also. We have been here 6 years as missionaries and now keep nothing in sight. Plus we added additional spikes that stick up and some that stick out making it extremely difficult to climb over and it has worked. Plus we have gotten to know all our neighbors very well and that have called the police in the past when two men tried to break into the house (before additional spikes). I also learned a good lesson i.e. when installing locks buy two sets. Let the laborer put in one set into your door and after he leaves change it out. We believe it was the locksmith that came back weeks later and tried to break in because the neighbors saw the men trying keys. Of course this was a brand new door. On an old door where you are just matching locks keep a spare and change it occasionally. As a retired policeman we just need to out think the crooks. God bless.
We're praying! One thing a missionary couple told us the first day we were here is to LOVE everyone, but don't trust ANYONE 100%. They will love you and rob you and the same time--it is the culture. This aspect is SO different from our culture! And so hard! Know that you are in our prayers--
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