I suppose I have to finish this story…
After an eventful Tuesday and a challenging Wednesday (see previous blogs), I was surely not prepared for what was to come; a throwback Thursday of note…
On arrival I immediately noticed the vast number of gangsters on the premises. I said nothing! All the volunteers moved into their normal positions and carried on with the programme as usual. However, I pulled my most trustworthy volunteer to the side. Lee-Ann was one brave girl that I knew I was able to rely on. I asked her to please walk around and report back to me on what was going on.
I never set foot on the sports field that day. I went to sit on a rock just on the outskirts of the field where I was able to see everything. Two thought went through my mind: 1) If they are still on their quest to kill me I better stay away from all the other people. I had to make sure, should they attack me, there will be no casualties and 2) I had to figure out what was going on, why are they really here. It was unusual to see so many gangsters on site. I sat on the rock watching every move of almost everyone…I should have been a detective or something…
Lee-Ann came back; “Bee, there are weapons everywhere and of all sorts”… “Thanks, I thought so” At that stage however, there was no real interaction between the gangsters, they were just hanging around, like they were waiting for some sort of an order or sign.
I was still sitting on that rock when two of the learners approached me. They wanted to come and apologize for not protecting me when Charles attacked me. During our conversation I tried to figure out why there were so many armed gangsters. The girl answered, Oh …they are waiting for Charles! Why? Because I had to protect you and I did not…I now organized for the gangsters to deal with Charles when he arrives. She said it with the most sincerity. She really just wanted to show me that she cared.
It took me 15-20 minutes to explain to them that their good intentions will not help me, on the contrary it goes against what I was trying to teach them. My rules did not change because I became the victim. No weapons!! We live by example, we love and forgive and we are first to reconcile!!
Eventually, I got through to them and they understood that they were not helping me… I ordered that no one is to lay a hand on Charles. I took their personal weapons, and asked that the please facilitate the gangsters. Off course, all the gangsters thought was: “great opportunity to have one big fight in the name of protecting Bianca”. Like always, I was merely relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom on how to facilitate the situation.
I noticed some sort of interaction and movement from the gangs so I gave the order to wrap-up the programmes. Everyone packed up and just as the one bus left, Charles appeared. I reminded them that they promised to not lay a hand on him. They gave me their word that they will not hurt him. We drove to the end of the road with their weapons, far away from Charles. We stopped and waited for them to come get their weapons back. I trusted them…rules in the book don’t always work in reality.
Nothing happened to Charles…
I learned so much on that day: 1) It is best to take time out and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, do not react to a situation rather respond by who you are and your values. The rules could not change because I was the victim. 2) Communication is key. People interpret things differently. They were really honest and sincere in the fact that they thought that they were doing a good thing. Do not assume, ask questions and be willing to discuss thinking patterns, not to correct them but to understand them.3) Chaos and conflict are moments to teach, grow, and learn. Embrace it…
If I remember correctly, it was the last outing before the September holiday and two days after I was on my way to Namibia on mission…never a dull moment…
After an eventful Tuesday and a challenging Wednesday (see previous blogs), I was surely not prepared for what was to come; a throwback Thursday of note…
On arrival I immediately noticed the vast number of gangsters on the premises. I said nothing! All the volunteers moved into their normal positions and carried on with the programme as usual. However, I pulled my most trustworthy volunteer to the side. Lee-Ann was one brave girl that I knew I was able to rely on. I asked her to please walk around and report back to me on what was going on.
I never set foot on the sports field that day. I went to sit on a rock just on the outskirts of the field where I was able to see everything. Two thought went through my mind: 1) If they are still on their quest to kill me I better stay away from all the other people. I had to make sure, should they attack me, there will be no casualties and 2) I had to figure out what was going on, why are they really here. It was unusual to see so many gangsters on site. I sat on the rock watching every move of almost everyone…I should have been a detective or something…
Lee-Ann came back; “Bee, there are weapons everywhere and of all sorts”… “Thanks, I thought so” At that stage however, there was no real interaction between the gangsters, they were just hanging around, like they were waiting for some sort of an order or sign.
I was still sitting on that rock when two of the learners approached me. They wanted to come and apologize for not protecting me when Charles attacked me. During our conversation I tried to figure out why there were so many armed gangsters. The girl answered, Oh …they are waiting for Charles! Why? Because I had to protect you and I did not…I now organized for the gangsters to deal with Charles when he arrives. She said it with the most sincerity. She really just wanted to show me that she cared.
It took me 15-20 minutes to explain to them that their good intentions will not help me, on the contrary it goes against what I was trying to teach them. My rules did not change because I became the victim. No weapons!! We live by example, we love and forgive and we are first to reconcile!!
Eventually, I got through to them and they understood that they were not helping me… I ordered that no one is to lay a hand on Charles. I took their personal weapons, and asked that the please facilitate the gangsters. Off course, all the gangsters thought was: “great opportunity to have one big fight in the name of protecting Bianca”. Like always, I was merely relying on the Holy Spirit for wisdom on how to facilitate the situation.
I noticed some sort of interaction and movement from the gangs so I gave the order to wrap-up the programmes. Everyone packed up and just as the one bus left, Charles appeared. I reminded them that they promised to not lay a hand on him. They gave me their word that they will not hurt him. We drove to the end of the road with their weapons, far away from Charles. We stopped and waited for them to come get their weapons back. I trusted them…rules in the book don’t always work in reality.
Nothing happened to Charles…
I learned so much on that day: 1) It is best to take time out and allow the Holy Spirit to lead you, do not react to a situation rather respond by who you are and your values. The rules could not change because I was the victim. 2) Communication is key. People interpret things differently. They were really honest and sincere in the fact that they thought that they were doing a good thing. Do not assume, ask questions and be willing to discuss thinking patterns, not to correct them but to understand them.3) Chaos and conflict are moments to teach, grow, and learn. Embrace it…
If I remember correctly, it was the last outing before the September holiday and two days after I was on my way to Namibia on mission…never a dull moment…