truth #30: Kidnapped and still I hope

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.  For momentary, light affliction is producing for us and eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison..

2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Monday morning comes around again just as is has every week this year.  Our team met together to study 2 Corinthians 4.  It was my turn to lead the devotional, we talked about the physical dangers and trials that Paul and his companions faced.  It amazes me how a man who was shipwrecked twice, beaten, mocked, insulted, and suffered much could call it all "momentary, light affliction".  Little did we know what would happen in the next 36 hours. 

Darren (South African) had his birthday last week but as a group of us were in Saraguro again we had been unable to celebrate together.  He invited everyone to go eat with him at a nice restaurant in a nearby neighborhood.  Seventeen of us ate and laughed together until all the food was gone and we were all stuffed!  It was a great time of fellowship.  As we left the restaurant we realized that the 17 of us would not fit into the three available cars.  So after a moments discussion the remaining eight divided up.  We girls sent the three guys in a taxi and we went with our friend in his car.  I felt bad that they would have to pay and almost asked one to change with me but then decided not to.  We arrived at my apartment to watch a movie together and after about 30 we realized that the three guys who took the taxi were not yet at my apartment.  Darren, Michael (the married Dutch guy) and our Ecuadorian friend Christian were still gone.  I called Darren.  No answer.  I called Christian.  After two rings a man answered in rapid Spanish saying that he was busy and would call me back.  I thought that was strange.  So I called Darren again.  The same man answered saying the same thing.  The voice was not from any of the guys.  I began to realize that something was very wrong.  Michael's wife Anneke also realized that something was wrong and became very worried.  After another hour, many phone calls, and three cars out searching the neighborhoods, we got news from the police.  Yes, the guys were fine, and yes they had been victims of what is called 'express kidnapping'.  Their taxi driver was friends with other guys with guns.  He drove the three unsuspecting guys to a street with few cars and another taxi blocked their way.  Two gunmen entered the car with our friends, putting a gun to Michael's side and to Darren's head.  They were robbed of everything, Michael's six dollars, watches, eye glasses, cellphones and Darren's ATM card.  They demanded his PIN number and then drove to an ATM to make sure it worked.  They took out several hundred dollars.  After driving them around for a while longer they stopped and told the guys to get out of the car.  They got out and ran like crazy until they found a police officer.  They returned unharmed but a bit shaken.  We were all a bit shaken. 

Tuesday morning we left to visit the Children's hospital.  This has always been a hard ministry as we see very sick children, some terminal and hear their situations.  This day was difficult for me.  I saw as I passed the first room a little boy, Kevin.  He was the very first kid that I talked with when I first came to the hospital in February.  He has not been in the hospital all this time but has come, gone and come again.  I asked one of the workers what was his story as this seven year old with arms and legs just skin and bones and a bloated stomach, didn't talk much, despite of his beautiful smile.  She told me "ah yes Kevin.  His father died, his mother has basically abandoned him and he lives with his aunt.  She doesn't take very good care of him and doesn't give him his meds on time that is why he is getting worse and has to return to the hospital.  Kevin has a brain tumor and it is effecting one of his eyes now too.  He is also HIV+."  This precious kid who is just seven years old is "decaying", he is being robbed of life.  I don't know if he is being renewed spiritually but that is why we go and keep going. 

These days I am faced with how little hope this world offers.  It preaches health and safety and how these things will bring you hope.  But they don't, because they can be taken away, in an instant or over many years.  It is not my intention to do things stupidly, we will all take more care in choosing taxi's, however, my hope and my trust is in the God, the I AM, the Creator.  I don't know what will happen tomorrow, but it doesn't matter because I will choose to live today with my trust in God and my eyes fixed on Christ.   Wherever He leads I will go.