Well, it finally happened. I got robbed. Not that I was waiting for it to happen but I really have been in amazement of how much favor myself and the teams I have been on have had in terms of safety and with our belongings. But alas, I was robbed. It really is a blessing in disguise and even right after it happened I had a crazy peace about it. A year ago I probably would have cried and been upset for a few days, but I was really only upset for a few minutes afterwards and it was more of a shock than anything.
So this is what happened. This month our schedule is pretty light. We have ministry six days a week but it is only for about 2-3 hours 4 days of the week and 6-7 for the other 2 days of the week. Needless to say, we have a lot of spare time. In discussing how to fill our spare time our contact suggested going to the park and meeting some locals. So we did. We have also been warned time and time again since we have been here that theft is high and that people will literally rip your purse right off your body from their motorbikes if they see an opportunity. Despite all of this we decided to go to the park on Tuesday of this week and as I had been asked to play a gig that night at a local coffee shop I thought what better place to practice at than in the park.
I brought along my guitar; as well as my camera, laptop, and wallet inside of my backpack. When I arrived we set up shop underneath a pavilion and as I searched for my pick it was nowhere to be found. I had literally just placed it in the top pocket of my backpack (where I keep my passport) right before I left so as not to lose it but as I searched it was as if it had disappeared. This caused me to take my passport out and set it on my lap. Going through my guitar case I found another spare pick and began playing.
As soon as I started singing people began gathering. It was almost miraculous. Suddenly men with lawn chairs appeared and set up around me and before I knew it about 20 people were surrounding Emma, Jess, and I. Then it began to rain and even more gathered. People were everywhere. Some were sitting, some were lying down, and some standing; undoubtedly enjoying the free show. My teammates appeared to be having good conversations with a few of the locals and I thought it nice that I was singing to them about God. I hoped that we were touching at least some of their hearts.
I noticed one girl in particular was watching me intently. Not wanting to break focus in my singing I ignored her and continued playing. She persisted with the stares and was pretty obvious about wanting to talk to me. I finally broke and stopped playing. As she began to ask me questions two boys gathered around me. One sat to my side and one more towards my back. As they sat down I acknowledged them and tried to make eye contact but the first thing I noticed is that they could not and would not look me in the eye. Having a funny feeling I glanced to my side to look at my belongings. My backpack was still to my side and it was underneath my guitar case. I thought that maybe I should move it to be more visible but immediately dismissed the thought. I continued talking to the girl and as I glanced to my side again only about a minute later my backpack was gone. So were the boys.
I immediately stood up and began frantically looking all around me, hoping that by some accident it had just been moved.
As I spoke my voice became louder and more frantic with every word. “My backpacks gone. Girls! My backpack is gone.”
I looked toward Emma and Jess, but Jess looked back at me with unhopeful eyes. “It’s gone,” she said. Her voice had a sense of finality that I was not quite ready for.
After a few more seconds of frantic scanning and asking those around me for help I scooped up the remainder of my belongings and rushed to the corner of the pavilion. I clutched what I had gathered tightly to my chest feeling sad, angry, and taken advantage of. It was raining.
Though it is a loss I can see all the ways the Lord worked to prepare me for this. First, I really felt in Nepal that I needed to get a hard drive and back up all my pictures, documents, and music on my laptop and so I did. Also, my laptop had been giving me problems and I was considering purchasing a new one in the near future. Then, that morning I had taken two of my journals, my Bible, and my Kindle out of my backpack so I wouldn’t have to carry them around. My other two journals were among the items I had taken out of my backpack at the park.
So yeah. I lost three of my most valuable items (in terms of money) on the Race in one day. Losing them at first was shocking and I will admit that I was a bit angry. It was also an important lesson for me in safety and awareness. However, the next day as I walked to ministry I had this strange and euphoric sense of peace about it and almost felt more free in some ways. I know the Lord will use this experience for my good and I am already seeing that happen. One of these ways is in having to ask for help. I am not good at asking for help and I rather like being self-sufficient. It stresses me out to have to rely on others and as I have been without these items the last week I have had to ask my teammates and people around me for help in terms of loaning me money, letting me use their devices and equipment, and more.
I also feel like the Lord is leading me to ask my supporters for help on this one so I am asking you all to pray for me and if you feel led to help me replace any of these items I would sincerely and greatly appreciate it. Whatever and however you can help is fine. I have priced out a new laptop and camera on eBay and can get pretty decent ones that will work just fine for the remainder of the Race for around $300. That will get me a new digital camera with recording and a basic laptop with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows on it. Any small amount would help. If you would like to donate to this you can send money to my PayPal account which is [email protected]. Simply login to your PayPal or create an account and you can send it with just my email address.
I sincerely appreciate your help and your prayers for me and my team. Despite this hiccup the month has been going great so far. I am forming great relationships with the students at the coffee shop we are working with. Because Vietnam is a closed country our contact has asked that we not share too many details about where we are and what all we are doing but I will definitely update you all with what I can. I am excited to write more about my experiences here soon. Blessings to you!
Love,
Desirae Dawn
