Last night our friend David came over, bearing condolence gifts of butterscotch blondies and ready to commiserate with us about being robbed. Incidentally, he's the only person other person I know who has been robbed while sitting in a mototaxi-- only his was just a cell phone, and running the person down, he managed to get it back! Anyway, I'm grateful to be here in Pucallpa, where even though I get robbed, I have friends.

It's been a tough 24 hours, tougher than I'd like to admit. I want to be holier than this attachment to things, but the incident is haunting me. I feel like I have an instant replay of the robbery on repeat, running over and over again in my mind. I feel way more sorry for myself than I should, and I'm secretly (well, not anymore) wondering why everyone else doesn't feel so sorry for me too. There it is.

Last week I was out of whack for several days after our Lima airport incident, and I was just getting my energy back on Friday and Saturday, finally cleaning the house well, shopping for groceries, cooking again. All that momentum is gone. I'm moping and sulking to be truthful.

Please pray for me. I know I can't keep this up. I was reminded today that God allowed this, even if He didn't send it. Am I willing to accept the circumstances He has for me? Am I willing to give Him my treasures if He asks? I want to be. I want to move on quickly.

This week there is an ENT medical team from the US working here in Pucallpa. Tim's having his ear surgery on Tuesday (another good subject for prayer!). I'm translating every morning from 8-12 and providing snacks as well. That's a busy schedule on top of all the other things I do normally. I hope it will be a blessing, keep me moving and positive, thinking about something other than myself.

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19

3 comments

1. Edwin Smith on November 1, 2009 at 5:42 PM

   Hannah, I love reading what you and Tim have to say about being in the field. In a lot of ways, it completely strips the glamour away of missionary life. However, it does not diminish at all my desire to pursue the Lord in this way, but only adds weight when I realize what it might actually mean for my life. Being real about these trials is one of the grittiest encouragements anyone could receive. I don't know all the reasons why God would allow this to happen, but from where I'm sitting here in the US, wanting to be overseas, I can think of at least one very good reason why. Thanks.

    
2. Mary on November 1, 2009 at 8:30 PM

   Good verse. Let's trust it. And obey it.

    
3. Janie on November 2, 2009 at 9:32 AM

   I am commiserating with you. I would hate to lose my camera. But you're right, it is just stuff and it was nonviolent and it wasn't in your house. So at least we can look at it in a somewhat "good" light. Still, I am sorry that happened. Ali Wheeler Dunagan just emailed me a verse this morning and I thought it might encourage you:
   
   "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suffering
   because we know that suffering produces perseverance
   perseverance produces character
   and character produces hope.
   And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by
   the Holy Spirit, whom he gave us." Romans 5:3-5