much to give thanks for . . .

This is an entry I never thought I would write, nor would ever want to have to write. Some of you reading this may have already heard the news through a prayer chain or email. I wanted to post something here to let anyone else know and also, selfishly, to have as many people praying for me as I possibly can.

This past Friday evening my roommate Meagan and I were at home when five armed men broke into the house around 8:30. They threatened us, demanded money (which we didn't have much of anyway), took all of our electronics, camera, etc and then locked us in a bedroom as they went through the rest of the house to find anything else they might want to take. Once we were sure that they had gone we went to the neighbors to get help, made a report with the police and eventually went to the home of trusted friends who welcomed us in like we were their own family.

While this was certainly a terrifying experience there are many things I can be thankful for:

• First and foremost is the fact that we were not physically harmed in any way. It is clearly a miracle of God that we were not injured.
  
• I initially thought that they had taken my passport and knowing that I have a ticket to fly home on December 8th I was worried that I would have to delay my trip home as I went through the process of getting a new passport. The next morning when we went back to the house to gather some of our things I found my passport! It was not in the place where I normally kept it and was therefore safe and sound sitting under a basket on top of the dresser.
• Even though my phone was taken, Meagan had accidentally left hers at the office that day, so once we were able to get to the office we were able to get in contact with everyone that we needed. (This age of cell phones has caused me to neglect committing any phone numbers to memory)
• We knew that we had a safe place to go and felt comfortable calling our friends at 11:30pm to come and pick us up (it was pretty late by the time we finished the reports with the police and got to Meagan's phone)
• We have both been so well loved and cared for by the Body of Christ here in Arusha and from our home communities in America
• I have been able to sleep very well the past 2 nights and have not had any bad dreams
• So many people who have been praying
  

I know that my list will continue to grow as I continue to go through the process of healing from this horrible event.

I wanted you all to know what had happened, but most importantly to know that I am safe and unharmed. Please do continue to pray for me and Meagan as we deal with the feelings and emotions that come along with an experience like this. We are also praying that somehow the things that were stolen would be restored to us. I know it would take a miracle but its nothing God can't handle!