God Works All Things for Good

(continued…)

As we sat together that night, calming down after the police left, one truth kept ringing in our hearts: God makes everything work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

When we looked back, we realized this was not the first time we faced difficulties around our church camps. For the last four years, it often felt like something was trying to discourage us either during the camp or immediately after it.

In 2022, Raphael, you fell very sick after camp.

In 2023, Mommy was carrying Dara and she became sick for days after camp, and she could not take proper medicines because of the pregnancy.

In 2024, during the camp, Raphael had foot and mouth disease. The next day, when we took him to the hospital for a checkup, our scooter was stolen from the hospital parking area. We were shocked and upset, but after three long months, the insurance company gave us the full claim amount which rarely happens. We used that money to buy a brand new scooter, a TVS Jupiter 125, a better version than before. What could have been a loss turned into a blessing.

Because we were part of planning and conducting sessions like Bible quizzes in the camp, we realized that Satan often tries to discourage us. This year was also similar as our house was burgled. Yet through everything, God remained faithful and He turned the situation for our good.

How God Protected Us Without Our Knowledge

When we checked the CCTV recording, we saw that the entire burglary took less than 16 minutes.

At 2.54 pm on Saturday, a man arrived wearing a mask, goggles and a cap to hide his identity. He carefully checked the floor and avoided leaving fingerprints by using a plastic cover for his hands. He went to the third floor first to make sure no one was home. Then he went down again to collect his tool bag.

Right at this moment, something unexpected happened. As he came back up with the tools, he bumped into an Amazon delivery person who had come to deliver a package to our house. They looked directly at each other. The thief quickly removed his mask and pretended to act normal. This sudden encounter must have disturbed his plan. He went back down again to check if the delivery person had really left.

After confirming that the building seemed empty, he returned with full gloves given by a partner who was waiting downstairs. At around 3.02 pm, he broke into the house on the third floor first and then entered our home on the second floor. By 3.05 pm he had broken both locks and entered. In just a little more than four minutes, he came out again, closed the doors behind him and walked away.

When we looked closely at everything that happened, we noticed how God was protecting us in many amazing ways.

• There were few valuable electronic inside the house. He did not take any of them.

• Our suitcase had all our important documents like passports, certificates and property papers. He opened and scattered everything, but nothing was damaged or stolen.

• There was an envelope with some dollars among those papers. He did not notice it.

• Dara’s golden hip chain had broken the night before camp. Mommy placed it in an unusual spot instead of keeping it in the locker. The thief broke open the locker, but he did not find the chain.

• The burglary happened on Saturday, but the thief never returned during the next four days even though the door locks were already broken.

• Normally Daddy gets instant alerts from the CCTV app when a person is detected. But on that day, Raphael was feeling unwell in the bus and Daddy gave him the phone to distract him. Raphael may have swiped the alert accidentally. Because of this, we did not worry or return midway from the camp. God kept us peaceful and allowed us to enjoy the camp fully.

  
  

We were unaware of the burglary for four days, yet during those very same days, God covered us, strengthened us and did not let fear steal our joy.

Through all of this, we understood one thing clearly. God protected our home.God protected our hearts. God protected our peace.

Even in a situation that looked frightening, God turned everything around so that we only saw His goodness, His care and His faithfulness. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us

“Do not fear for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God.”

This is what we want you both to remember, Dara and Raphael.

When something worries us, God brings peace. When someone tries to steal, God guards what truly belongs to us. When a situation seems like a setback, God prepares a blessing.

We will continue this story soon with how we handled things after that night and what we learned as a family. One day when you read this again, may your hearts be filled with gratitude. Hold on to this truth always

Nothing can stop the plans God has for Y(our) family.