When Satan attacks, it’s usually because God is up to something pretty neat. I told you in yesterday’s blog that we dealt with delays, flight problems, ice on the road, and crazy driving. I forgot to mention that one of the ladies who was coming had pneumonia and couldn’t make the trip. Then today on a subway, two of us were robbed.
A huge crowd of people swarmed in all at once and the train doors opened. We were all being shoved around by the crowd and I got hit a little bit from behind. In that instant, a very skilled pick-pocket lifted my wallet. I say highly skilled because the subwas are notorious for shady characters leaning against a wall who do it all day long and rarely get caught. They knew right when to hit me, just how to lift it, and did it so that the train doors would close just before I discovered it gone. They managed to take Sue’s wallet out of her zipped purse.My initial reaction was to think of how stupid I was. Why didn’t I divide my cash? Why did I have my wallet in my back pocket (under my jacket but still not the best place)? Why didn’t I feel it? I was keeping my hand on it except for that instant. It all happened so fast and I knew what had happened within about a minute.
I was able to call Angie (at 1:30 a.m. Arkansas time) and she took care of credit card stuff immediately. Bethel’s Deacons have also arranged for me to have enough money for food and transportation the rest of the trip (for which they will never know just how humbled and grateful I am!). And at the end of the experience, Larry (the trip coordinator) reminded us of what the great commentator, Matthew Henry, said of his having his wallet stolen 350 years ago…
- I’m glad they took my wallet, not my life.
- I’m glad God has blessed me so that I sill have enough.
- I’m glad it was me being robbed and not the one robbing. Wow!
My feelings of guilt and stupidity have subsided only slightly due to the fact that most of our missionaries have been through the experience themselves and a few of our Directors as well, and for the fact that this professional probably would have hit me even if I’d taken tougher precautions – I just would not have lost as much. I’m still just thankful that it was a silent, secret thing and not a violent experience at all. And I’ve learned a huge (and expensive) lesson.
On back to the more spiritual matter… God is going to do great things on this trip. Otherwise Satan wouldn’t really care. We get to minister to Pastors who are hungry for knowledge and fellowship. I get to spend time with these godly men who have remained faithful through both communism and freedom. I’ve been exposed to poverty that I’ve not seen before already – a hundred hands raised in my direction hoping for pennies.
I think my experience illustrates a greater and darker threat in this part of the world. Right now there is freedom, but visiting Red Square reminded me of the ominous threat of communism. I saw the circle where Stalin once slaughtered thousands each day, many for their outspoken witness for Christ. I saw the tomb of Linen and the Armory, reminders that Satan is still fighting a battle to suppress the gospel witness.
Please pray for our safe passage, but more than that, pray for our witness for Christ, no matter what!
Rather than posting photos in this blog, I’ll just direct you to the Russia Trip album on my Flickr page, which I’ll keep adding photos to all week…
