Intro: We arrived in Malawi after a 58 hr bus ride from S. Africa. The ride consisted of over 20 check-points, 35 bathroom stops (many in the bush), yelling at the drivers to shut the Combi door & not let any of the strange men that were trying to get into our van, 3 border crossings, 2 nights sleeping in the Combi, 3 stolen bags, mobs of men, driving thru a rally, searching for bribe money to pay-off the “tickets” we were getting at every stop, & passing thru a recent car crash involving the prime minister & his wife, where the police-man yelled at us to go back home where we came from.
The Story: We left Nelspruit, South Africa at 9:30 AM when the first disaster hit. Here is what Maithili wrote about the trip:
“Things were going quite well, until about two thirds of the way to the South Africa/ Zimbabwe boarder when the tire of our luggage trailer nearly fell off. The frame was bent to about a 60 degree angle. So we waited on the side of the road for about 2 hours while that got fixed.”
Now, it was dark & we needed to get back on the road soon. As usual when we stop, someone has to firmly inform the driver he must stay with the Combi & not wander off or go to sleep (yes, they wander off & go to sleep). So, we quickly filled-out the necessary paperwork, gave them our passports, & got back in the van ready to go. Hours later, the drivers were ready to go. It takes the drivers hours to find paperwork, the permit, & get anything done! This was not a surprise to us since we had planned on leaving for Malawi on the 4 & it was now the 6. The drivers were 46 hours late to pick us up).
It was here that our packs were stolen. We were waiting in the car, trying to pull out around a mega-bus, when a man tried to get in our van. The drivers were telling us to let him ride saying to us to, “Just feel with your heart”, while behind us his team of robbers where cutting open the robe that tied the tarp down on the trailer, & taking our packs. It was dark, rainy, past midnight, & many men were all around the van. It was not good. Maithili said, “no” to the drivers & they just kept negotiating with her while we kept trying to shut the door (there was no lock on it & the stranger could open it up anytime he wanted). I looked at him & his backpack & a fear hit me, he could have a weapon on him. I firmly said, “No, shut the door now, we are leaving.” Finally, they listened & we drove off.
We did not realize our packs were gone until later down the road. I sat in the seat crying at 1:30 AM b/c my home that I lived in, carried on my back for over 9 months, was now gone in the middle of Africa. The sentimental stuff was gone. My journal, notes from friends, Christmas cards, & my most prized possession–a picture of my grandma & grandpa that I had all my life. I can never get that back. The material things were gone. My tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, clothes, a cell phone, toiletries, shoes, etc. all gone. People say, “Good thing is, it is just stuff.” or “It can be easily replaced.” or “It’s not a big deal.” are not the best things to hear at a time like this. All that belongings, were not just stuff. I had gifts, I had mementos. & it can’t be easily replaced & it is a big deal to me. I live on a missionary’s budget. I do not have the money to replace $2,000 worth of gear & other possessions that kept me warm, dry, & clean. This is what was running thru my mind & we still had another day & a half of traveling to go.
By the next morning, I wake up to someone yelling, “Leave Zimbabwe Now! Go back to South Africa where you came from!” Our driver had apparently been speeding & the officer at the road block was not letting us get by. On the side of the road was a car flipped over & there were police-men everywhere. We were just at the scene of a major car wreck where the prime minister of Zimbabwe & his deceased wife were just hours earlier. They were cracking down on anyone speeding b/c they just lost someone dear to their country. Numerous times the drivers tried to get by & they would not let us pass. Then this happened:
“This actually turned into a God moment as through lots of prayer and a couple hour wait in our car, Krystal felt in her heart that we should go offer to pray from the Prime Minister and the situation. We did so and God softened the heart of the Police Officer and we were allowed to pass through. Praise the Lord!”
Eventually, we made it to the Mozambique border just before they closed. However, it took them a long time to stamp the passport, pass to another person, write, pass to another person, stamp, pass to another person, peel off a sticker, put on the sticker, pass to another person, stamp again…Tara S. even tried to help them by applying to be their “Personal Stamper & Sticker Peeler”. Then this happened:
“By the time we got our passports back, our van being on the other side of the barrier, the police officer tried to tell us that “the boarder is closed, you go sleep over there.” Calming the furry mounting in some of us, Tara, one of our gifted communicators talked with the police officer while we just walked across to the van disregarding what the Police officer said.”
We drove all night long. The road was filled with trenches that you had to almost come to a stop to in order to go over with-out losing the trailer. He would speed up after going over it, and then suddenly brake, causing us to fling forward in our seats when he came up on another one. I would wake up constantly throughout the night because of that & the numerous times I could not feel my legs. The best position I could get into was curling up on my seat & half the seat next to me, lifting my legs up on top of the seat in front of me or resting them on the window of the sliding door. The problem with the last position is that was that when the door would open, I would fall out of my seat.
We arrived at the Mozambique/Malawi border at 1 AM. We slept there until 6 AM. It took hours because it was here that they took all the packs off the trailer & searched them. It was kind of fun seeing the face the officer as I handed my slip of paper to him which declared nothing. He asked me, “You don’t have any luggage?” I said “nope” & just walked off.
We were expected to arrive in Lilongwe at 1 PM. The drivers kept telling us, “Just one more hour.” & we would be there. We did not make it to the capital until after dark. Once in the city, we climbed out of the Combi for the last time & greeted Pastor Harvey. When this happened:
“Unpack, repack into his little van, a van that had some issues…issues such as when we were driving to the hostel the sliding door fell off the top hinges. That’s right, the door just fell off!”
The End: All in all, it was the best feeling to literally fall right into a real bed & stay there for 7 & ½ beautiful hours! I was run-down, emotional, & anxious about what to do concerning my pack. You did not want to talk to me. It was not anything close to what we would call, “One heck of an adventure”. It was dangerous, scary, & nerve-wrecking. & of course, we all learned a lot out of it. I realized again, just how blessed I am. I also saw just how much the Lord protected us from harm. But, I am SO glad it is over with.
The Need: I am trying to raise money to replace my pack & gear that was stolen. I do not know if all of it can be replaced, but if you want to help then write me. A couple people already are helping & have offered. I was actually able to pick up some clothing yesterday & toiletries, plus I am borrowing someone’s tent right now, sleeping pad, & a few other things. Please pray about it & let me know asap. Thanks!
