Desperation

Yesterday, we had Saturday off from activities and duties, and it was a beautiful day! Autumn and I hung out and after lunch, we went down to the city (La Paz) to look around and hang out. I was going to give her an early birthday present and we were going to go to Burger King! You can imagine how excited we were, but unfortunately, we didn´t have enough money between the two of us...and it is only about $4 US, but thats quite a bit here! So, we were walking through the market on our way home in El Alto to run by an ATM to be able to have our BK! I felt myself get hit in the back of the head with something...and I thought quickly and remembered how they do things around here. When someone wants to rob you, they spit on you, so you´ll turn and they can grab your things...Therefore, I grabbed my things real tight, but immediately I was crowded by about 4 people and unable to walk. A woman standing next to me was staring me in the face, and I finally pushed through. About 15 steps later, I turn to tell Autumn that I thought someone was trying to rob me, and then realized the woman is still RIGHT next to me and the next thing I know she is gone and things are falling out of my bag...She got my glasses, my glasses case, and fingernail polish. I cried. I tried to find her. As I was trying to find her, another person spit on me, so I decided it was time to split from this market. We ended up going home without dinner and buying some oeros from a little vendor for dinner and eating popcorn later. I was so furious and violated during this, but soon on the bus ride home I remembered the verse from Matthew 5: 38-42. Specifically the part, "And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well." This is of course a tough lesson to learn especially because I know those people cannot use my glasses with my prescription, but I know God has a bigger plan and the glasses can be replaced. I can sew the hole in my bag bag together, and I can wash the spit out of my hair.
I know this woman was driven not be green, but by desperation, so she, too deserves forgiveness. Please pray for her and the others in El Alto that have been driven to such desperation to get by. Pray that they will trust in the Lord to be the Great Provider that He is. Thanks for everything everyone! Yall are amazing!

Oh, and Happy Mother´s Day to all your Mommas out there!!!