The Thief and The Blessing

Some may wonder and ask what does the title of this blog mean and how can these two things exist together, well I must say it is only through God. God blessed Diane and I to be able to return to the states for the Christmas holidays and what a blessing it was. Time with family and friends was awesome, being able to connect with some of our supports, make new friends and partners in the ministry God has called us to. We were very very busy and as always time went extremely to fast but the bottom line is we were so very blessed by it all. The leaving again was very difficult but knowing you where doing what God has called you to do made it a little easier. The return flights to Africa/Swaziland were good.. made it safely (God is Good). Sandra picked me up from the airport all is good.
I must step back just a bit to get you to where the thief and the blessing fits. Sandra one of our missionary neighbors (we share the same fenced yard) emailed and told me that it appeared someone had broken in our home due to some activity that was observed and a broken window at our house. Upon further investigation they (Sandra & Janet another missionary neighbor)in fact did discover it was a Brake-in. Nothing appeared missing the house was in order even the broken glass had been cleaned up.
The broken glass was repaired and all was well.

Upon arriving home was when I discovered my MP3 player and home speakers missing from an upstairs bedroom and our bedroom window had been broken but no entry to to room (bedroom door locked) but as reported everything seemed in order. It took a couple of days and putting more of the "puzzle pieces" together and that is when we determined that our car had also been taken but returned at noon the next day, yes this is really weired. This is where the blessing comes into play, you have your home broken into and the thief cleans up the broken glass, and the only thing that was stolen was an MP3 player that was loaded with over 800 christian music artist songs, your car taken then returned (I did have a a small amount of rand/money taken)that was inside the car, but it was returned -wow. God is good He protected our home and property, you may ask how your house was burglarized, car taken (even though it was returned)how was God protecting? My answer is with a question, why was nothing else taken, the car brought back, the mess cleaned up- God blinded there eyes to the other things in the house somehow convicted them to do no more harm and return our car. God put a hedge of protection around "our things". I have not had any anger about this, matter of fact I have an unexplainable peace about it and that is not a me thing... that is a God thing. Just to think the only thing that was actually stolen was full of Christan music (what a witness). Do I want the person or persons responsible to be caught? Yes, the police are doing an investigation but again I have such a peace about this and feel so blessed and am reminded that God does in fact take very very good care of his own children and to Him we give all the honor and glory. WE are truly so very blessed.
By the way the same thing happened just a day or so ago now at our neighbors (Sandra/Janet) no car taken but i-pod missing. Again, God blessed and blinded the eyes of the thief. Thank you Lord.

Will close with a Thank you to all our family/friends and supporters for you prayers, thoughts and concerns. And for helping us be here to minister to the wonderful children and people of Swaziland.
WE love you all God Bless
Don & Diane