Daily Archives: November 22, 2015

Over the years we have had a remarkable run of safe travel. There have been the odd “hairy” moments in traffic and the nights when we haven’t arrived at our accommodation. There was an occasion when our plane was just about to land, and when it was a few metres off the ground it suddenly lurched back into the air under full thrust. We learnt after the German and French explanations that there was another plane on the runway. And there have been times when being together for 24 hours a day was just a fewhours too many.
So having our car broken into and, we estimate, $3000 of camera equipment, presents and souvenirs stolen plus the car damaged, was quite a shock. It occurred in a village that even many of locals hadn’t heard of!
It is true that we are in one piece and the items are relatively unimportant. However I have watched my wife carefully search for things for members of the family and friends – something just right for them. She carefully and lovingly packs them so that they can withstand travel. My camera equipment is easy to replace although not the photos on the cards, but the items purchased in diverse places are impossible to re-collect. That hurts.
The police were great but we pressed this good will. Initially we thought it was a snatch and grab raid on the camera bag, however it was only later that we discovered two other backpacks missing and we had to return to the police station. Their English and our French did not make for an easy conversation. We needed their certificates for the car and our insurance because the receipts were in one of the bags stolen. So we had to persevere.
I have mentioned previously how at moments like that I have learned about myself and my wife. My wife is amazing. She was hurt and teary but straight away went into “this is what we have to next mode” as well as forbidding me to drive for a while because I was seething and anger and I do not mix well. It took me a sleepless and prayerful night to get over that. (I was allowed to drive us back to the campsite but I was watched and monitored like a high security prisoner.)
Each day we pray and each day we are made to realise that we have a God who does care for us – even down to the hairs on our head. And I have to remember that even if the worst does occur, He still cares more than I can ever imagine.