Living in a dangerous country, we are constantly reminding our
children to watch their personal space. We are constantly making sure bags are
under seats or not seen in the car. We are always double checking to see if the
doors are locked. Not living scared, just living smart. You never know who is
watching you or looking in your car when you are in the store. It’s the way it
is here in Guatemala. It makes you suspicious of people yes, but it makes you
more dependent on God!
Immune? What does that have to do with this you are
wondering? Today, almost 26 months of living here in this beautiful country it
happened. I ran into the store quickly to pick up a few things for dinner then
I was heading to a coffee shop to poach internet because the internet at our
house has been down for a few days. Sip some coffee enjoy a little time to
myself up at the coffee shop. Probably see a friend or two come in and visit
for a few minutes. Catch up on Facebook, (you know I have a new nephew I need
to see pictures of everyday)!! Check my never ending e-mail. You know the story,
right? I called Phil to make sure he was OK with me going, he gave me the run
down, told me where to sit, told me to keep my eye open for anything, told me
to make sure the projector was out of the bag before I left “just in case
something happens they will only get the computer and not the other things we
keep in the bag” I finished picking up the few groceries I needed. I stood in
line longer than I was in the store shopping. And, while I was standing there,
I thought, deep in my heart something is going to happen today. Odd I thought,
and pushed it aside, flipped my engagement ring around on my finger so that the
diamonds were no longer visible. I checked out, chatted with that cashier for a
minute found my keys grabbed my bags and left. I decided that I would make a
call while I was walking to the car to have some security of talking to someone
if “something” were to happen. I walked to the car, passed the guards with the
guns in the parking lot, smiled and said bye. Opened my car and noticed the
computer was MISSING! I was talking to Abby and I don’t know if I was calm or not
at first. I think I was calm for the first moment then started shaking. I hung
up and called Phil and told him. The passenger door was slightly ajar I opened
and reclosed it while on the phone with Phil. Not sure what to do, I just
started driving away, who do I talk to? As I was leaving the garage I handed my parking ticket to the security guard at the entrance, and break down…explaining that my
computer was just stolen, what do I do? He called another security guard who
came to talk with me, and he called another security guard. I get out of the car
and walk around to the passenger door and see the lock has been "popped", the
door is now dented as well. My heart sinks. I look at the guard and tell him,
there were NO CARS parked around me. Where were the guards in the parking lot?
His response to me, “the security isn’t very good here” I wanted to say “Thanks
Captain Obvious” but, I didn’t. After giving the information to the guard with
shaking knees and hands that can barely turn the key, I head home.
Tears of
frustration, tears of invasion, tears of relief, tears of joy. Wait, what? Yes,
Joy…
As I was driving home talking to Phil replaying the scenario I
thought to myself whoever did this could have been waiting for me in the
parking lot, they weren’t. Whoever did this could have done this while I was
getting in the car and much worse could have happened, whoever did this has our
computer that we use for everything our taxes were just done on that computer. And
so much personal stuff, but we have a password. Hopefully that will keep it
somewhat protected. Phil’s reassuring words to me as we were hanging up the
phone “It’s just a computer, you are ok!” and for that I am thankful.
We have been called to serve this country, and for a moment I
thought about how ungrateful these people are, but they don’t know who we are,
what we are doing here. I am called to love them not judge them, I am called to
serve them not ask for justice. I am called to be the hands and feet of Christ.
Knowing that we are doing what God wants us to do, knowing that we are right
where God wants us makes it a little easier for me to say “yeah, my car was
broken into and the computer was stolen.” Will I triple check to see if doors
are locked tonight? YES! But, knowing I am right in the center of His Will
makes it easier for me not to lock myself up in the house but, know that God is
protecting me, my husband and family. Just a little computer but such a BIG
lesson!
As I write this, I never had my coffee up at the coffee shop, I
was never able to check my e-mails that are adding up, I was never able to see
pictures of my new nephew. But, that is ok!
Yo estoy bien!! Gracias A Dios!
