August/September 2008

Each day, our lives with the Lord, brings us one step closer to turning our biography into an action novel! 

This month started out with me (Petra) accompanying a medical mission team in order to translate for them.  I also assisted the surgical tech in the operating room as circulator, assisted the anesthesiologist by positioning the patient, scrubbed the patient before surgery, assisted the surgeon by holding the patient’s hand while it was being amputated and helped whenever help was needed. 

Also, it was such a joy to clown around with the children before and after their operation.

Needless to say, at the end of the week, everyone in our team was filled with joy.  And then it happened … 

First there was the news that hurricane Ike headed towards Texas and the team’s return trip, which went via Houston, had to be rescheduled.  Their departure was delayed for two, three or even four days. 

Second, I was robbed at gunpoint!  It happened this way … 

When Charles picked me up from Antigua, on our way home, he received a phone call from James to inform us, that Arnoldo had been by the house to ask for assistance with his vehicle.  For something or other it didn’t start.  Since Arnoldo’s home is before ours’, Charles stopped there. From Arnoldo’s house, I walked to ours’ to retrieve the maintenance manual, which Jonathan brought to Charles.  Meanwhile, Charles phoned me and said, he needed some water for the car battery.  Thus, I dutifully brought the bottle with demineralised water to my husband, about 5 minutes walk along our “calle”.

Yes, Charles and Arnoldo were puttering away on Arnoldo’s car. 

I thought, ‘Who knows how long they will be working on that.  I should take the duffel bag, which is still in the back of the Land Cruiser, already home and start the laundry.’  Thus, I slung the bag over my shoulder and merrily went on my way. 

One quarter to our home, a white sedan pulled up beside me, the passenger rolled down the dark tinted window and asked if I like a ride.  “No thank you,” I replied. Then he asked again and again my reply was, “No gracias.”  He drove off.  Shortly after that, another white sedan came, towards me this time.  The driver stopped right beside me, rolled down his dark tinted window, pointed a gun at me and said, “Dame su maleta.” (Give me your bag.)  - “What?” -  “Dame su maleta!”  He got rather agitated this time.  “Ok, ok,” I thought, “Here it is.” He grabbed it and drove off.  Thank God there was no personal injury. 

I was a bit upset, however, knowing that the duffel bag didn’t contain anything of value to the guy. All the items, like toothbrush, dirty under wear, scrub tops and bottoms will be absolutely worthless to him and thus thrown away.

Oh well, that is what he gets from it!  I only hope he can explain to his mistress, why he carries  bras and other women's lingerie in a duffel bag!