JANE'S STORY Part 2

Psalm 120 says, "In my distress I cried unto thee O Lord and He heard Me." As we drove from the back roads onto the only highway back to the resort, I stretched my legs out to the front seat just as a police car drove by. It slowed down to drive along side of us, as I noticed it there I got a very heavy feeling in my heart. The police put on the siren and flashing lights and pulled us over.

We were not sure why, but we knew they knew we were not natives. Leon went up to the car knowing the poice are corrupt and expect a pay off, he shook the police officer's hand and gave him money, he then went around to the other side and did the same to the other officer. He reached into his pocket and offered more money. Leon came back to the van, I asked if we were OK, he asked for money and went back up to offer more. Leon then came back to the van and took his drivers license and registration papers and his license plate to the police. During this confortation the two officers in the police car were both holding up machine guns. Our driver was so frightened he had sweat soak right through his shirt, my daughter and I were becoming very alarmed.

Leon came back to the van, I thought it was all over, but then I realized Leon did not get his paperwork back from the police. The sirens and flashing lights started again and we were expected to follow. We were led down the highway then turned onto a side road. We drove for a distance down the road; there were no houses, no buildings, it was an abandoned road. The police vehicle stopped at the side of the road at the edge of a cliff. Leon took more money, reached under the seat and placed a hand gun on the seat and went up to bribe the officer again. The other officer got out of the car; he was swinging around a machine gun and started to circle our van. I thought to myself, what good is that little hand gun on the seat when they have machine guns. I was now very afraid for our lives. I had a cell phone on me, I tried calling back to the resort, no signal, I tried to call the representative who had made the contact for us, and he had said if we had a translation problem we should call him. Well, I certainly thought this was a translation problem. But still no signal.

Leon was now arguing with the officer, arms flying and I am thinking this does not look good! I am thinking, "please Leon, don't fight with him, it will make it worse." I looked at the gun on the seat; I thought I knew what I needed to do. I was afraid we would be shot, but then I thought what if they torture or rape my daughter before they shoot us? If they just executed us it would be fast but to watch them beat or rape my young daughter I could not handle that. I looked at the gun again and thought I needed to shoot my daughter and myself. But, what if there is only one bullet, what if I live and she doesn't, can I live with that? How could I shoot my own daughter, would it come to that? I took my daughter into my arms, I told her I loved her, I was proud of her, she had done a wonderful thing for these children, she was an amazing person, we had put a smile on the face of those children, and I believed she had made a difference in their lives, but I did not think we would make it back to Canada. I held her and tried not to cry, I tried to be strong because I was the Mom. I felt so guilty for getting her into this situation. With very little hope, I picked up the cell phone and called home to Canada, I just wanted to talk to my husband one more time, I was not going to tell him what was happening, but I just wanted to hear his voice. I looked out the side of the van and could not see to the bottom of the revine. I wondered if there were any other bodies down there. The call went through...it rang then went dead. I looked at my daughter and said I think this is a sign, I think we are going to make it. I began to pray, I prayed to God, I prayed not for myself but for my daughter, I had lived half my life she was just starting her adult life. I prayed to God and asked for my daughter's life, I prayed to God our Father, "Please God, Please!"

Psalm 102: 1-2 "Hear my prayer, O Lord and let my cry come unto thee. Hide not thy face from me in the day when I am in trouble, incline thine ear unto me in the day when I call, answer me speedily."

At the lowest point in my life, when I thought there was no hope, my prayer was answered. Father God came to us that day; He guided us out of that terrifying situation. I am forever grateful. My faith has been strengthening, and renewed. My prayer was answered. It was an overwhelming day, and unforgettable day, a day with a new beginning for me.

Psalm 6:9-10, the power of prayer has overcome enemies.

My prayer was answered, the police finally let us go, they drove away with almost all of our money, Leon had his paperwork back, the gun was put back under the seat and we drove home in silence holding each other's hand. My daugher was sick to her stomach and had diarrhea for two days, she was terrified and vowed never to go back to the Dominican, ever.

The power of prayer should not be underestimated. A renewal of faith is not just an increase of faith and strength but something we experience throughout our lives. It is an ongoing development, an awakening in the heart. It was unfortunate I had to experience such a near death, terrifying situation to start my journey again. Yes, faith is a gift, one I was blessed to have. It's personal but let it's beauty shine through us, throughout life in everything we do.

The power of prayer and the gift of faith are amazing. Our faith is strengthened through prayer and reading God's word. Your faith is between you and God but it's what you do with it that counts. Meet each day with positivity and confidence; meet your life's challenges knowing the love of Father God. I see life a little different now, and I thank God. May God bless you and remember you have the power to make a difference. We may stumble but believe God is with us always, my friend.
Thank you for listening, May God shine on you, Jane xo