Involuntary Simplicity

Jeeeez. Unbelievable. Really. *#@)%^&@#!!

So we made it to Lusaka on Sunday in preparation for a Monday flight. We stopped for lunch at a shopping mall in Lusaka and were away from our car for thirty minutes. When we returned, we found that our car had been stolen. Yes, stolen. With all of our luggage, passports, computers, everything. Luckily, our Reps lived closeby and could come fetch us. We were still in a state of shock, and cold because in the afternoon sun we had left all our sweatshirts in the car, and it is winter here in Zambia. We remained with the clothes we were wearing and my small backpack that had a few snacks in it. Everything else is gone. The detective who I had to take to the place we had parked the car was more interested in talking about the death of Michael Jackson than anything else. Doesn't inspire much hope in getting back our car or our belongings. Peter has had the unpleasant task of dealing with Zambian police bureaucracy and even managed to remain polite throughout which is more than I could have done.

I can't begin to list all the things that are lost forever. Our computer back up was also in the vehicle so everything is gone. Last time we were robbed, we weren't home and we had all our "essentials" with us. This time we had packed only the essentials and that is what was taken. Our minds are filled with remembering all that we had packed and is now gone. Peter and I managed a few hours of sleep but found ourselves awake and comforting each other in the middle of the night. Sorry to say, the Zambian souvenirs we were excited about giving to family and friends are mostly gone.

It is difficult to leave the country with no passports so first thing this morning we went to the American embassy. We were given hope that we could get a temporary passport and still make our flight out in the afternoon, continuing on to Prague and trying to continue with our original plan. But after filling out all the paperwork, we were informed that we had to return directly to the US because we wouldn't be allowed out of the airport in Europe. So then we had to find flights home. We went to two travel agents and no one could help us because they didn't make the original booking. But we were told that all possible flights were completely booked and it didn't look hopeful to change our flights. And we couldn't get on the flight we were scheduled for because of the delays. Late this afternoon we heard back from our original travel agent that they found tickets for us, leaving Tuesday afternoon and arriving back in LA on July 1st. So we are thankful that we can leave the country.

We are all obviously in shock. The boys are handling it very well but it is hard on them. They are missing their backpacks filled with personal belongings and disappointed they won't get to visit Prague. Change is very hard for Jason in particular and he was very distraught when he realized he couldn't sleep in his pajamas. But then I remembered that the one suitcase that I had left at the guesthouse earlier in the month contained all our swimsuits so he would be able to swim as soon as we got to Grandma Anne and Grandpa Al's house and he perked up at that. Since we had extra time in Lusaka, I took the boys to see "Night at the Museum 2" in the theater and we had a lot of good laughs.

Jason told me this morning that he prayed that God would talk to the robbers in their dreams and tell them, "Give back the stuff to Jason and Brendan!" And God even spoke in a Zambian English accent, according to how Jason related it to me. Very contextual of God. That sure would be nice but it would take a miracle. A BIG one. In the meantime, we are practicing involuntary simplicity. Traveling home with one checked piece of luggage and two backpacks. We keep getting our backpacks stolen but Ashley had left a supernice backpack for us at the guesthouse after learning of the first ones that were stolen. It is my dream backpack and I am thankful for this gift that reminds me that we will be taken care of. The Moellers brought over spare clothes for our boys and compassion. Eric and Kathy have supplied us with money to buy what we need to get home and meals that have kept us going. And there have been countless texts and calls to assure us that we are being prayed for. So thank you. I know there will be lessons and gifts in this whole horrible nightmare but to be honest, I'm not seeing too many of them yet. Keep praying. Thanks.