I
promised them I could do a health seminar at the end of the meetings. I
wanted to teach simple nursing hydrotherapy and other survival skills. So
when all the rest of the team were through, they went up to tour
Linda Vista and the clinic and visit the Mayan Indian ruins. We (my
children and my nurse, Nancy Stagl) stayed back to do these classes. The
children were tired and our friends who lived at the courtyard where we
had our meetings offered to keep my children while I did the classes.
Jenny was present with me to help as "patient" as I showed them
some ways to help themselves when they were sick.
Suddenly
there was a scream in the street and a scream in the meeting. I prayed
out, "Oh, God protect them and my children." My heart raced as I
feared the sounds of commotion coming from the direction of the home where
my children were resting. Ladies and children ran for the gate to
have a look into the street. The men had just locked up the big bars to
keep us all safe. My translator disappeared. He soon called to me
excitedly in English, "Doctora, Come please, quickly, this man
is hurt." Immediately I was flanked by strong men who escorted me
down the street. People were watching fearfully. They took me to the home
where my children were resting. My heart nearly fainted as I saw the
church head elder's face. It had deep jagged cuts on his forehead. His
wife and daughters were bathing his face. Just as I got to him, there was
another yelling in the street. He stood up, grabbed his machete and walked
like a drunk man. His head injury was affecting his gait. I urged him to
sit down. Just then a big wagon full of police drove up. Their guns were
pointed in all directions ready to fire on anyone and anything. My heart
was again in prayer for protection. My curious children were peering out
the window into the direct line of these guns. My translator jumped in
with these police and they went after the man who had tried to rob the
head elder. The drunk angry man was looking for money and beat up the head
elder who was trying to protect his own son and us as we held the class. A
broken beer bottle had been slammed into his forehead.
He begged me to
sew him up. I told him my suture supplies were stolen from me at the
border. He needed to go to the local clinic. I asked his family to get a
car to take him to the clinic. I put pressure on his wounds. Just then a
kind sympathetic neighbor brought over a cup of precious gasoline. It was
his intention that this should wash the wound. I told him how kind and
special that this man had good neighbors. I had just gotten the bleeding
under control and all he needed next was to be stitched shut. A little
volks wagon drove up and off he went to clinic.
In
1999 we joined multi team effort to build churches and give Bible seminars
in Chiapas Mexico. We ate at the conference office and different ones
stayed in homes.
My
sister Jeanie a registered nurse, and Nancy Stagl and I worked to teach
the children of people who came to Pastor Pond's meetings in the Patria
section of Tuxtla Gutierez, Chiapas, Mexico. We became close to those dear
brothers and sisters. 
There
was a crew of enthusiastic church builders who came along and two other
meeting series were held at the same time as ours. I was the only
children's minister. All day, I doctored in clinics then held night
meetings.
Half
way through the president asked me to go to the other side of the city and
do children's meetings. I couldn't break off the program in the middle. It
would make the children angry who were memorizing all the home work I gave
them. (10 commandments, Psalm 91, Psalms 23, I Cor. 13, Mathew 5, Galatians
5:22 and 44 Scripture songs.) I made a deal with the president. I would
come back in the fall and do meetings on the other side of town.
I
finished my meetings in the courtyard of a church elder in Patria. Our
singing was too loud and there were too many children to do the meetings
in the upper room. We showed the video of the life of Jesus on the side of
their home under the clothes lines. Church brothers came every night
bringing chairs and electric extension cords and we always had what we
needed. Thankfully it never rained.
Many
made their choice to follow God's ten commandments and live by the Bible
truths. The baptism was a delight to attend. The younger ones showed their
dedication by memorizing all the Bible chapters assigned, and learning all
44 Scripture songs. They showed up at least an hour early to get a front
spot at the meetings.
The
baptism was a thrill as we watched them promise God they wanted to follow
the example of Jesus.
I
felt strangely sick to my stomach as I slowly returned to my class.
I really did not want to leave my children or finish the class at first.
When I entered the church, the ladies were sitting and singing hymns. It
really sounded like a choir of angels. Their courage was a lesson of quiet
trusting faith. God had heard all their prayers and mine. No one was
killed and my children were not injured. God gave me courage to keep on
working for Him as I realized HE HAD GUARDED US.