Westgate Heartache

Last Saturday was our Field Day at the elementary school. I helped to run one of the game stations. The theme was super-heroes. Many of the children came clad in super-hero costume, ready to save the day. My game was called, "Catch the Villain." The children had to roll a hula hoop down the field and toss it over a bucket (with a picture of a villain on it) and then run back to the next person in line. Little did I know that true villains were lurking not far away.

After the field day was over, our family decided on a quick trip into Nairobi. I have not been into "town" yet since we returned, nearly a month ago. I was excited to get some groceries and supplies. We hopped into the car with Ian and Megan (Lyndsey opted to stay and play with a friend here on campus).

Spirits were high as we traveled to Nairobi. We treated the kids to one of their favorite treats that they had been missing all year in the US: Mahindi, or roasted corn.

Then the news came. We were nearly to the outskirts of Nairobi when our friend called to tell us the news that a grenade had gone off at Westgate Mall and were we anywhere near there? No, we told her, we were heading to a different part of town. Our light spirits instantly dropped and we were on high alert. A wail of an ambulance was heard in the distance. We quickly made our way to the our destination and got our supplies as fast we could.  All the while we kept waiting to hear word of the attack. At that point, two families from our school were at the Mall and we prayed for their protection. Several hours later, we heard the good news that those families had escaped unharmed.

Over the next few hours....and then days.....we watched the news, gathered to pray, waited.....  Hushed conversations on the path as we tried to carry on with life, but felt consumed by this tragedy - only a mere hour away from us. Last night, Ian woke up in the night screaming that bad guys were after him. It is hard to say if it was a result of his fever (he has been sick the last few days) or if this is how his little brain is processing the limited information he has been given about the situation. We prayed with him and brought him to sleep near us. 

This morning, Day Four, we hear news that the seige is nearly over - the police have Westgate under control - and we cautiously hope that the end is truly here. But it is hard not to let the fear remain. Fear that our lives are no longer as we know it. We could have been in that shopping mall on Saturday. 

People say that the terrorists win if they instill fear into our every day lives. We certainly do not want to live in fear. We do know that our ultimate security is in the Lord. But the truth is, we are human and this tragedy has shaken us to the core.

Our hearts go out to the many families - across the world - affected by this horrific event. May God comfort each one and give us peace that passes all understanding.