Sunday October 5, 2012 we went to sleep and for the first time since being in Haiti I didn’t sleep through the night. I was annoyed because since being here I was getting really good nights of sleep. In the DR I would wake up every hour because of some kind of noise.
I woke up around 7ish on Monday and I was asked if I had my computer with me. I looked behind me because the night before I just happened to want to watch a movie before I went to sleep. I thought it was a weird question because everyone has their own computer.
The nightmare began.
Sometime between 3:30am and 5am as 14 people were sleeping, two maybe three people jumped the roof and invaded our space. 6 computers, 1 camera, 2 iPods, 3 hard drives and a purse with a wallet, passport, bible and other personal items were stolen. The walked right passed us and actually entered the guys’ room! They had the nerve to enter our space and our home to collect the items that they wanted.
As everything was unfolding…I was speechless and shocked! I thought I was dreaming and would soon wake up from this nightmare. I felt betrayed and vulnerable. We came together and prayed for strength and peace. You could feel the anger and confusion in the room.
This was really happening to us.
My IPod was stolen, which I am sad about but more than that…my security was taken from me. I no longer felt safe in the one place I felt comfortable in this country. I was confused as why this would happen. God was teaching me to love these people and now all I wanted to do was leave and never look back.
I did go into power mode and I was ready to take care of my team. I went with another squad mate to the police station to file a police report. Knowing that it might not help but we were willing to do everything we could. Back at home…phone calls were made, Credit cards were canceled and people were informed.
We took the day to just be. We canceled our entire ministry for the day and just spent the day together. We spent time with Jesus, played games and watched movies.
At first I was afraid to read my bible…I was afraid to hear God. But there came a time that I couldn’t think about anything else. God was desiring to spend time with ME. I sat on our balcony…prob the same spot the intruders entered our space and I started reading Philippians. Paul wrote this book when he was in prison! In a way I was in a prison of fear. God was trying to put rest in in my confused brain! I was really trying to find peace but I was still scared.
Scared of it turning dark and having to go to sleep!
Scared that they would come back!
Claire had an awesome idea to not let Satan win. That night we were going to go out in the dark street in front of our house and worship and pray outside. I was hesitant but ready to push Satan out of the way. 14 of us plus another team and our pastor and his son joined us in front of our house.
I poured my heart out and I felt God surrounding us. We shouted, we yelled, we cried, we sang and we became one. I gave God my fears and He brought rain to heal us. I wasn’t afraid at that moment and I knew that it might not be easy but God still loves me. He is still the God that I was praising on Sunday.
I have to find forgiveness for these men who felt that they had the right to barge into our space.
I have to be okay that I might not know why this happened to us.
I have to be okay that we will never see our stuff again.
I am thankful that no one woke up that night and spooked the robbers. We are all safe and it could have been a lot worse. I am so thankful for the community of believers in Carrefour. Our pastors that we are working with have taken on our hurt and burdens and have been there 120%. They are protecting us and sending love our way! I am thankful for the prayers we are getting from back in the states!
In a weird way…this has strengthened our house and these 2 teams even more. We have come together and it still is hard to be here. It is still hard to walk in the streets and not wonder if the person I am passing was involved or knows about our stolen stuff! But God still loves us and is protecting us! He still loves Haiti and has given us a group of people to love on as they love on us.
Who knows what the next 2 weeks are going to look like.
I have to trust in God even more than I have ever done before.
I have to wake up each day ready and be ready to fight for Haiti!!
