Walking Blind

I love being here in the DR with the children and the people of the village.  I am thankful they have embraced me and allow me to be a part of their lives.  They watch over me, cook, clean, escort me to town, protect me.  Or at least I have always thought so...............

 

Today Yanet, Napole and I went to Western Union to change dollars to pesos.  Then we went price shopping for mattresses and another fan for the mission house.  Unfortunately, time got away from us and the bank was already closed when we were done.  I gave Yanet the salary for the next three months for the school and I kept the money for the teams that would be arriving. 

Sometime between 10pm and 7am someone came into the house and stole the team money.  $5,120 in US. 207,000 Dominican pesos.  Twice I heard noises when I was washing my hair, so I turned off the water to hear better, but didn't hear anything more.  I thought all was well.  I went to be and slept soundly.  When I woke up in the morning I went to get a drink from the refrigerator and saw the pc of wood I had placed over the lock had been moved.  I knew immediately someone had been in the house.  I went to my room and checked my backpack and the envelope from Western Union was gone.  Not only that but another $60 US Dollars from the pocket of my pants was gone.

I was shaken because I believe it happened while I was showering or sleeping.  I am sad because obviously the thief is someone known to me, perhaps even someone I love.  They obviously knew I had money and knew the house and my routine.  I am thankful because I was not attacked with a matchete or shot with a gun.  So very thank for God that watches over me and protects me.  I pray to Him and trust Him to makes all things right.

So today has been spent at the police station where a report is taken.  The report is hand written in a child's notebook with cartoon characters.  Then back home and talking with people in Habanero.  The community is upset this has happened and probably a bit embarassed.  The amount stolen is more than two year's wages for anyone in this community.  If the person spends it on a huge purchase or flashes it, people will know.  News travels fast here.

 

The police came and took finger prints and printed some of the older boys in the area.  They took their cell phones also and are to return them before the end of the day.  I hope the guilty are found and the innocent are left alone.  One never knows in this country.  Some of the police are as corrupt as the criminals.  You really never know who to trust.  Image living your entire life in that kind of culture. 

 
I will button down security, but for the most part am not going to let this interfere with my daily life here.  I want to continue to live in the village.  I don't want my home to be a fortress, I don't want to live in a prison, but I also know I can no longer walk in blind faith.