Difficulty

After an amazing Thanksgiving day experience of safari - wow- we woke up ready to explore on Friday. We wanted to get some material to have some Peace House graduates sew us some skirts for the girls, so we went off to the Market. This is a known stressful endeavor as so many vendors compete for sales for their items- many of which are identical. We found 2 neighboring ladies selling fabrics and decided to make some purchases there. Ava did some bartering, Tessa found a yellow Rwanda shirt (her favorite color) and I worked on prices and lengths for fabrics. When we had what we needed, we needed to move to the other side of the market (think a city block's size) to where the produce is. When we arrived at the produce section and got mangos and a pineapple, Jay realized his phone had been taken in the commotion.

Now, in life, we rarely, if ever, are in situations with crowds like we are in when we go in the market. Think mobs of people going down narrow aisles every which way. People are bumping into you and up against you constantly. For this reason (and likely the pick pocket's skill) Jay never felt his phone pulled.

Immediately the crowd felt more claustrophobic than before as we realized we had no idea which direction to look. Calling his phone was to no avail in such a crowded setting. People pulled us this way and that- was it towards help, or away from the perpetrator?- all these questions we have but will never have the answers to.

An english speaking man named Job came to our assistance, and finally we had some direction beyond - "call his phone", or "track it" (we don't have tracking connected with his phone) He rounded up the guys who had been stalking us at the market, and we went down to the Police station.

I won't bore you with the details of a long and emotionally painful day- except to ask- what does one do in this circumstance?

I'll tell you what my flesh wanted- my flesh was angry and frustrated by our constant vulnerability. Every difficulty felt during this trip at being a foreigner all of a sudden was amplified. It felt like such a violation. Yes, it's a physical item- yes, we recognized the greater importance that each one of US was safe and well (I thanked God for that over and over) but I was angry. Angry at the fact that my husband was here to care for and love the people of Rwanda- and he was taken advantage of.

So again, what does one do? Do I harbor bitterness in my heart? Do I develop the edge or cold shoulder that suspects everyone of evil intent? Do I give up on our efforts knowing there is risk to being hurt?

It took some hours of wrestling internally but- No. I rather choose to see the world for the aching, painful, desperate place it is when beset by sin. I see afresh the need for Jesus.

Timely enough a friend posted this quote yesterday by Charles Spurgeon- "Be thankful for the thorns and thistles which keep you from being in love with this world." Yes. There is so much good here where God and his love shines- but ultimately- there will always be pain and this world is far from perfect.

We're not giving up, we're not going to hole up in our house until we go home- yes, we will be cautious, but we are committed to not letting one man's display of the sin in all of us to derail our mission.

We rejoice that Jay has developed a connection with Job (the helpful man) who has struggled in his faith recently. Perhaps it was a divine appointment. We rejoice that we could secure the files and apps on his phone so identity is secured. We rejoice a million times over that we are safe and healthy and well.

If you need to contact Jay- please do so through my phone or Facebook messenger. If you pray, please pray his phone turns up. It feels like it would be a miracle, but it IS possible.

We woke up to a new day today. It was Umuganda here. Umuganda happens on the 4th Saturday of each month for the morning. It is mandatory community service. The streets are empty and nothing is open. This created something of a forced day of rest and reflection. Especially seeing as when Umuganda lifted at noon, a rainstorm came in.

Erin and I were able to do a Bible study video on prayer which was centering- the girls played and did scavenger hunts, and well, to be honest, we're all feeling a bit stir crazy, but also are ready to take on tomorrow.

Tomorrow we go to a traditional Rwandan church which will be a neat exposure. Praise God for his global church, thanks to him for mercies new every morning. Great is His Faithfulness.

We choose His way- The way of Love.