wednesday

today we were outside hanging with the neighbors. after giving instructions to the neighbors to watch the kids...and no motorcyles...greg went inside to get some money. i was not in the area of the kids at the time. when greg came out, paul and hazel had been escorted around the neighborhood on a motorcycle. they were gone. this is something we frown on by the neighbors. there are times we put the kids on motorcycles for transportation sake cuz we HAVE to but not just for the fun of it. then they wear helmets. and they were gone for quite awhile. greg was getting more upset with each minute. as we were waiting...an "m" came rushing around the corner on his motorcycle and asked "are your kids ok?" and we said "we don't know where they are?" and he had heard that a child around the age of 5 (a foreigner) had fell into a river from a bike accident. my heart instantly choked up to my throat and i couldn't imagine. i grabbed my stomach and prayed to God to keep my babies safe! we continued questioning this man as to what other info he knew...not much...but i was rationalizing that it couldn't be our kids. not enough time had past. and 2-3 very long minutes later they came smiling around the corner. hazel standing on the back of the bike. i was thrilled to see them! but frustrated with the driver! my heart and stomach still uneasy for the "one" who was hurt. tonight we found out that Anna, a 3rd grader, died. her and her mom were riding bikes. her mom was in front of her and they turned a corner but anna didn't follow. when her mom realized she wasn't behind her, she began, what was an hour long search for her daughter...only to find her at the bottom of a hill face down in the river. they don't know what happened? i can't imagine. i only know the instant feelings that rose in me when i "thought" it could of been mine. but that only lasted a few moments. this family will deal with that feeling now for REAL. this family also has an older boy and they have been serving here in indonesia for 5 years. please pray for them as they begin this grieving process.