Secondly, I must inform you of a terrible event that occurred this past week. I was out with a friend and as we were leaving to head home, we crossed halfway into the street to see if it was clear to cross. I saw that we could not make it in time to clear the buses, so I headed back to the sidewalk. When I turned around, thinking my friend was behind me, I saw a man come running towards her. At first glance, I thought he may be pulling her out of the way of the oncoming bus, but after a second or two, I realized he was not so nice. He pushed her once and then into the stopped bus that we were in front of. Before I could take two steps I heard a snap and he took off running with her purse.
Thankfully, she was okay despite having been shoved into the front of a bus and hitting the ground. It was definitely a traumatic event for both of us that I never want to relive again. After running after him for a bit, yelling help in English, to the tons of people watching and staring at us, I stopped. At that point it was a lost cause, safer not to follow him and not draw anymore unwanted attention to us. We quickly got on a bus and headed home.
Needless to say we were both pretty shaken up and got very little sleep that night. It was definitely learning and growing experience. I knew that I couldn’t harbor any bitterness and anger towards all of Chile just because of one man’s decision. Furthermore, I knew that I can’t be afraid to go out into public anymore because of the incident.
I jokingly say though that the incident was the end of the “honeymoon period” for me. Through it all though, I just had to praise the Lord. There are several reasons why. One, I had my passport on me because I needed it for something earlier (I never carry it with me though!). Two, that the Lord protected us from something worse. Three, that I could freely forgive without harnessing any anger or resentment, yet actually laugh (probably to prevent myself from crying), smile and praise.
The verse that came to mind that perfectly describe this “honeymoon” buster is John 10:10. It says, “The thief comes to steal, kill and destroy. I have come that you may life and life abundantly.” Despite everything that happened, the money lost, the shock and all, the attacker wasn’t able to steal my joy! It reminded me that I have these material things, but my worth isn’t in this world. My worth, my joy and my hope is Jesus!
So out of the bad comes the good. Thank you, Jesus that You have come for all to have life to the fullest even when things go terribly wrong. I almost didn’t want to tell the story to scare y’all because it really is a great, safe place and loving people, but I share because through it all we are to praise Him!
And now I don’t have a great transition onto the next thing, but I do want you to know that I am enjoying it here! My family is great! My Chilean brothers were definitely sweet after the incident and concerned for me. They kept talking of how they should have been there and prevented it all or taken the guy out. It was flattering to say the least. Seriously though, it has been so much fun in my house. Never a dull moment!
They constantly tease me for a couple of things…my laugh and being from Texas. They always mimic my booming laughter and they never cease to get me going on the laughter. The second is that they have a weird image of Texas that is a mix of Chuck Norris in Walker Texas Ranger, John Wayne and Yosemite Sam. They think of Texas with a bunch of tumbleweeds rolling around and gun-toting Cowboys constantly dueling. So, they always act out a cowboy shooting at the feet of someone else yelling “Arriba! Arriba!” For this, I found a little kids sheriffs badge and pistols with the holsters. It was a big hit with everyone! I told, Matias, the ring leader of it all that they were for when he makes his grand trip to Texas. He’s ready now!
I think that’s a good stopping point for now. Too long already and I hope I haven’t bored you to death. So far, so good! Vaya con Dios!
Oh my goodness so glad everything is ok!!
ReplyDeleteAnd that Jesus is better. Always better :D
aaaand we should get coffee soon!!
-Katy Talbot