From Krystal
Hello Everyone! I hope you are have a fantastic week!
I had an experience that I just have to share. This is the story....
Last Wednesday, February 1, 2006 I took Jared and Caleb on a field
trip. I thought it would be nice to take them to the hospital to give
water to the patients and to pray with them. (Important information
that you need to know--just before the boys and I left for the
hospital I decided to bring my passport with me. I never carry my
passport but something or more specifically someONE told me to bring
it) .
Once we got to the hospital Jared was in there! He is so giving!
He was right there giving water to the sick. Caleb was a little
scared of the whole scene so he stayed away but when I invited him
over to help he gave some water to an elderly gentleman. I love those
boys! Any who, before long we were on our way back to the classroom
(which is at Currys' house) to resume classes. Now, we were traveling
by bike. (It's about a 15 minute bike ride from the Currys' house to
the hospital). In between the Currys' house and the hospital there is
a driving circle, round about thingy....hahahaha So, just like back
home there is a certain way to drive around this circle. WELL I
didn't realize that I was suppose to go with the flow of traffic with
a bike ....so I didn't.....before I new it a police officer was
blowing his whistle at me and the boys! NOW, you need to know some
background info. The men here dominate. The women do whatever the men
want them to....(let's just say I don't appreciate this state of
mind) So Tennille and I have had experience with this part of the
culture. The day I was pulled over by the African policeman I was in
a "you need to respect me" state of mind.... So the police officer
called me over. BUT I told HIM to come to ME! I thought he was yet
another guy calling me over!!! It wasn't until the police officer
came over that I realized that HE WAS A POLICE OFFICE!! At this point
I thought "Krystal, why did you have to go on a power trip NOW of all
times?" The police officer proceeded to tell me that I broke the law.
I tried to explain that I didn't realize that I was suppose to go
around the round about with a bike. He told me that it was a
universal law. I pulled the "But I'm Canadian!" card but he said
Canadian or not you broke the law. AND THEN he told me to follow him
to the police station! I believe he wouldn't have taken me to the
station if I would have had a humble spirit. To be honest I was
angered by all of this. I still was like "This is not my fault! I
didn't know that I was breaking the law! And the only reason I told
him to come to me is because of past experiences with the local men!"
These were my thoughts as the boys and I were following the police
officer to the station. It was during this ride that the Holy Spirit
told me to pray. To pray for God's help because that was the only way
I was going to get out of this. Then He popped a scripture into my
head. "Come to terms quickly with your enemy before it is too late
and you are dragged into court, handed over to an officer, and thrown
in jail. I ASSURE you that you won't be free again until you have
paid the last penny." Matt 5:25-26. It was then that I started to
pray!! :o) . I prayed that God would help me to be humble and kind
and for the Holy Spirit to provide me with the right words. When we
arrived at the police station the police officer told us to follow
him inside. He took us to a room where another officer was. They
began to discuss what had happened. The other officer asked for my
PASSPORT! I gave it to him praising God that He had told me to bring
it! The other officer proceeded to tell me that I broke the law. I
told him that I was really sorry. Then the officer who pulled me over
explained to me what is suppose to happen at a round about. I
responded with "Oh...I understand now. I'm sorry" When my attitude
changed so did the police officers'. The other officer then told me
that he was going to let me go this time but to not let it happen
again! Then the officer who pulled me over told me that I had to
follow him around the round about so he could show me what to do.
I believe that this situation happened to teach me a lesson. I
believe God wants me to watch my attitude and my pride. He wants me
to remember that if I don't there will be consequences! It was
definitely a humbling experience! It is so neat that even though
Jesus was planning to teach me a lesson that He still made sure I had
all the materials needed and that if I followed him that everything
would work out! What am awesome experience!
I ended up apologizing to the officer for making him come to me. I
explained that I hadn't known he was an officer. He explained to me
that it was because he was wearing a sweater and that his uniform was
underneath...then he said "see!" and lifted up his sweater!
I love how God can make good come out of a complete mess...even being
hulled into the police station by an African police man...:o)
Many laughs and blessings,
Krystal :o)
