Feb. 9th, 2007---Satan comes in the form of three…

Yesterday was the most intense day yet. We had the privilege of riding with Vincent to Power House Church to see what types of computers were donated to the computer school. This way Rach and Gabe could figure out how to piece meal them together. It was also my first time seeing the newly constructed building. Yes, it is gorgeous I could not have imagined it more beautiful than it is.

As we were standing in the church talking to Vincent three men came from over the hill. They walked with a purpose, so much so that Vincent thought that they were police coming to find out why whites were in the township. He started to explain that we were his friends from America. When all of a sudden one pulled out a gun (this gun looked like a gun from the 1980’s…I always imagined if I was going to be held at gun point that it be a cool silver gun with a medallion hanging from it…but instead it was rustic black-at least have a cool gun next time). When the gun was pulled I remember myself just looking at Vincent as though he was going to do some karate move to get the gun out of the mans hand. But all Vincent could say as I was holding my bag was let go. In that sheer moment everything that was left of value to my name was gone. I had just lost every electronic thing I owned (well they didn’t get my iPod so not everything) as well as all of my university documents and Africa Revolution paper work. It was so quick that it took about 10 hours for it to settle with us all. When I finally realized what had happened, how much was lost between the 5 of us, and all the things that were in my bookbag I started to get very angry at the men but also at God for allowing it to happen in what should be the safest place, His house.

You know it was so strange cause that morning quite a few people around us knew something was wrong but couldn’t pin point it. Gloria, Vincent’s wife did not want him to leave the house to fetch us…then right before he got us Gloria text him saying that she cared for him. Our host mother that morning couldn’t stop checking the doors to make sure they were all locked. Strange how we have gut reactions and don’t know where to guide the energy just knows something is not right.

Now looking back on the situation I can not even believe that they did it in broad daylight and in a church with soo many people around. There is no way that these men live in Mamelodi because Vincent or really any pastor for that matter are like the wisdom givers in a community you just don’t rob a pastor in Africa. That is like asking for a lifelong death sentence. So if they knew he was a pastor and a key community leader they would not have taken his things. These men were defiantly not professionals because they took Vincent’s car keys but did not take his car. They had to have seen us enter the township or been tipped off by someone that Americans/Whites were in the township because they came only half an hour after we arrived and they came straight for us as though they knew we were there. After the men left a smile came across my face when I felt my neck because the man that was stripping me of everything tried yanking my bff necklace (Carissa you know the one) and he could not get it after two hard tugs…I was soo grateful because that necklace my greatest friend got for me to remind me of her when we are apart.

Now that a day has passed most of Mamelodi (roughly a million people) know about the situation. Let’s just say that Vincent is one of few people that was born, raised, and has continued to live there and so he is a very highly regarded man in the community. If people go to his church or not they are outraged and want to find these men. He can not go anywhere now with out being stopped and asked about what happened. When people hear from his mouth that it was done in the church they shutter because they know that they just asked for a living death sentence and that these men have temporarily sold their souls to the devil. We believe God is going to call them very soon to Him and that is why he did not have Gabe, Thomas, or Vincent kick the gun or me start talking back (you know me I always have something to say especially when something is not right).

Here are my prayers…That the money that was taken from Vincent and Thomas and the things of Rach, Gabe, and mine that are sold be used for food, shelter, and other necessary things and not for drugs, sex, or alcohol. They repent for the thing that they have done. God grace us to love them despite them taking things that did not belong to them but to God. Better understand how severe poverty drives people to do such things. That they do not have peace about what they did until they make it right with God and Power House Church. For protection and safety while we continue to work in Mamelodi and other townships. Lastly, that the people of Mamelodi do not kill these men when they are found, but bring them to Vincent. This is something that Vincent and the elders of the church are very concerned about because of the outrage that community members have voiced to Vincent.

Thanksgiving about the situation…There is NO NEED TO WORRY trough this we were safe and our bodies were protected. There are much worse things that could have happened and did not. And rejoice because my voice is almost 100% back.

Satan knows that this trip is a trip where I and many others are starting this amazing ministry, maybe you have heard of it…Africa Revolution. Also through this ministry we are breaking down racial divides that have been in place for decades and Satan does not like when people come together especially for God’s work. Seeing as this is our first ever trip with our first volunteers Satan is trying to detour us from continuing this line of work. And let me tell you last night I cried more like wailed to God asking Him why He has chosen me for this line of work…I mean seriously there are tons of great people out there that can care for orphans just as well as I can…but why me? I know that He has called me and it is not an easy task to follow Him because all of a sudden Satan comes too. If my passport had not been taken I would have been on the next flight back to the States…so thank God that is gone cause it could have been a victory for Satan.

Words of Wisdom…Tonight we had a brai (African bbq) with the elders of the Power House church. It was an amazing time of fellowship because they spoke such great truth into my life about the situation. They told me story after story how they have seen pawns of Satan and blessings from God in such a supernatural way. As an American I never think of the supernatural world. I never think of God and Satan duking it out and people on Earth being apart of their battles. Vincent was telling a story about how at one point in his life he was full of wealth by owning several businesses, both he and his wife working full time jobs, etc. Then God called him to minister to the poor. He said sure and suddenly things started getting repossessed, lost all of his businesses, was not being able to feed his family, etc. He and Gloria suffered big time financially…but then he came to the realization that if none of that happened how could God really use him while serving the poor if he did not experience poverty himself. Through those words I am coming to find out that being poor means when something is taken from you or breaks you do not have insurance or spare money to replace it. It is just gone, but when it is gone or broken how free you feel from worrying about it and taking proper safety precautions to make sure it is safe. Now when I leave the house I literally am just taking my body. I feel so free from a cumbersome bag with lots of stuff in it. Yes, I wish I could have had the choice to give my stuff away but this is another avenue to get me to where I am today.