We were hijacked on Sunday night on our way from the airport in Cura. It had been a most successful business and social trip to Zimbabwe.
I suppose were followed from the airport...still trying to process it - and it happened so fast. The driver was keying in the code to open the gate and then next there is a guy in balaclava shouting at him and threatening him; then my door opens and one man with a bandana pulled over his face casually takes my laptop bag from between my feet. And then they ask for our money and phones. In a flash, property expropriation without compensation is complete!
Everyone is fine (my colleague and the shuttle driver) - they were not violent and we gave up our money, valuables without resisting - these things will be replaced 10 fold. I am just very angry with myself (I am usually more careful), with the driver (he should have been checking behind him more), but that's how it is.
It got me thinking about the thief on the cross whom Jesus forgives. And about these guys who held us up; smirks behind their covered faces, cursing us and threatening to "just shoot" - the driver had a gun pointed at him; the one who came to my door was probably not armed. They just felt entitled to our money - hey, give us all of it - and to our property. My phone and laptop are probably not worth much; I was meaning to replace them anyway, and the bag they took was heavy with Mazoe rather than anything of value to them (but we could have been killed for that). Then there are the intangible things one loses - a diary with contacts and thoughts and research ideas; the half-finished documents and exam scripts; and then that inner peace, the ability to feel joyful. Everyone else seems to be going on about their lives...and you just feel, uncertain, unsure.
And so, how do you forgive that thief on the cross? Should he be forgiven?
