Saturday night my dear friend Momi walked me home - a stone's throw from her house - after an American dinner we prepared together for her family. About 30 minutes later, as I started to read before falling asleep, I heard a piercing scream. It was about 9:45. Initially thinking someone had died at the hospital and family members were grieving, I paused. Another scream and then another. I got up quickly to move toward the sound, thinking I would ask my duplex neighbor, Cheri, what she thought was going on. Upon reaching the kitchen, the screams had ceased. I paused briefly, wondering what to do and whether to open my door or the top half of the screen. Then, Cheri's back door (a few steps from my door) opened. I peeked out carefully from behind my window curtain and saw the door standing open, no one there. Then, I opened my door and heard Cheri screaming for help. Calling back to her, she answered me "There are burglars in my house!!!" Hardly thinking, I took off barefoot and screaming to reach Momi and Michael's house. A few minutes and a few phone calls later, we all returned to Cheri's house, where she related the story. Two armed men, completely masked and covered in black clothing, had entered her room and pointed a gun directly at her. She had instantly sat up from a half-sleep state and screamed. They immediately left, having taken no more than two cell phones, some money lying out in the open and a table knife (found later by the wall). They left a half-eaten banana (one of Cheri's) and a shotgun shell.
The miracles in this story are too numerous to list. It was not raining, so I heard her scream. I wasn't in Burkina (had returned Wednesday night) or at a labor or still at Momi's house. The men left without touching Cheri - no one but God could have protected her at that moment. I was held back in my kitchen, indecisive, right before the men ran from the house just feet away from me - before I could even see them. Cheri's bedroom light was still on, so she could see them. And the list goes on and on.
Cheri and I have been roommates ever since and the security is gradually increasing, though ultimately we are seeing that God is our real security. We have spent time praying together and remembering the promises of God and reading His words. Many, many visitors coming to encourage Cheri and pray with her, one after the other. People come to be with you. We were debriefed officially on Monday night by another missionary here, which was indeed a blessing. The emotional sequelae continue, but we are grateful to remember the display of God's power and for the outpouring of support and encouragment that have followed.
Easter meant more to me this year than ever - He is indeed alive and because of Him, so are we!
"Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?" Yes, indeed, He's alive and so we are well. But, like Mary Mag and Thomas, He is not perceivable, yet present to the very detail of our days and nights -- why? for Life's sake!! In awe of His majestic strokes in your lives. Now, praying that you hear the "rest of the story" so these men don't remain masked and in the shadows, but unmasked and in the Light and brought fully home into the family of God.
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