We left Durban and stayed in Johannesburg again for a few days and then off to meet the rest of the squad for the final gathering before we fly to India together.
We stayed at a hostel named “The Brown Sugar”. (Yep, you’re right, the place was as sketchy as the name implies.) We stayed there before without any problems so we stayed again. Besides, it was only going to be a few days then off to the airport and out of Africa.
After an 8 hour bus ride we finally arrived and 15 of us settled into one room. I got the same bed I had before. Not my favorite because it’s the first one in front of the sliding glass door, cold and unsafe. Anyone could come in and out all hours of the night and my bed would be the first one they would see. I thought about the safety of my things as I slid them simply under the bed but still clearly in full view.
A few hours later, grabbed my sleeping bag (so warm and cozy in the chilly 60 degree weather,(( thanks Chris and Frances:)) a book, my beloved iPod and sought solitude in a quiet corner of another room. As I was reading, a few African men, dressed in Security jackets, came in the main door speaking in a low tone and waving a gun. At first, I just disregarded it and went back to my book. (They couldn’t be serious)
They softly said, “This is an armed robbery get on the floor in the other room quickly!” One grabbed me by the arm and guided me to the bar room. I stopped him and grabbed my iPod, sleeping bag and got my shoes on just in case I had to eventually run. (Which in hindsight, was not such a good idea, I guess. It’s funny how the mind works in situations of potential trauma.)
As I walked in, I found bodies laying face down on the tile floor in fear of being shot. The “guard” dog barked ferociously and Bob Marley blared into the eerie silence of a room full of people. I propped my head up a bit on my sleeping bag so I could get a look at their faces and what was going on. The men would come in and yell at us to stay down. I heard him hit the owner in the face with his gun and ask for the money in the safe. He threatened him and us over and over, “I will shoot you dead!”. . . I kept my head down.
Apparently, my posture was not good enough and he walked over to me to put my face flat on the floor. He said “Give me your phone!” I told him I didn’t have one so he frisked me and demanded my iPod. He proceeded to yell in his African accent, “You Stupid!” as he ripped it away. I peaked out to see him walking away with it, white wires dangling by his side. (I can’t really describe the sickening feeling that brought.)
There I laid on the cold hard floor, face down, feeling the intense racing of my heart pounding throughout my core and intensely praying for God’s Omnipotent protection. Amidst the swirl of surreal scenes running through my mind, I tried to think logically of what could be happening in our bedroom. Where are the rest of the girls? Are they okay? I haven’t heard a gunshot, Thank God! I prayed for protection of all of our things also. I asked for a miracle. “God please blind their eyes that they would not even see what they came for and leave us!” Over and over I prayed feverishly until I felt a sense of Peace came over me. Strange. He is good!
I thought what they would see in the room. If they just took one bag, which is in full view, they would have my passport, my phone, all the team money I just pulled out as treasurer. (That would effect everyone), my camera and all the pictures… and what about my computer in the other room with Kelton!?”
After an eternity (about 20 minutes or so) they finally left. We slowly got up to check the others. Things were strewn about, a big mess on the ground. We had to step over random and odds and ends to get to the bedroom. We ran in and there they were, all 10 of them, huddled together on the floor, terrified. We held them as they shook uncontrollably. As their guard began to fall, so did the heavy tears. With red, wet faces, they told us of how the robber cocked and pointed his gun at them and threatened them over and over. Their experience was clearly, a more intense scene than that in the bar room.
After shared tears, stories and praise to God our Protector we checked the room for missing items. Miraculously, my bags were still there!!! Untouched!!!! Ha! Amazing!!!
They took some of the team’s big backpacks, full of clothes, some passports, cameras and phones. But strangely overlooked wallets, purses, computers and beloved personal items. Overall, they took only about 5% of all the things they could have taken! It was like they were blinded!!!
A little later, Kelton came into the room and regretted to inform me that they got my computer. (I was reminded that Jesus never had a computer… 🙂 He gives and He takes away…
Happy to report that emergency passports were issued the next day and thanks to prayers, family and friends many items have been replaced. The emotion healing is a little more challenging, but we are getting through it. God is good and protected us!! We were not harmed and learned many valuable lessons. Please continue to keep the team in your prayers. 🙂
We left the Brown Sugar the next morning and stayed the next few nights in Alabanza. To give you an idea of the place, think of “Little House on the Prairie”. It was calm, quiet and freezing cold. The morning we left for India, it was so cold that I could see my breath in the shower. The next shower I was able to take was in Delhi, India. It was so hot and humid that I felt like I was sweating more when I got out than when I got in.
Nonetheless, it’s just good to be out of Africa.
