When We Returned Home… (21 October 2025)

Dear Dara and Raphael,

Some memories stay with us not just because they are happy, but because they remind us that life can change suddenly and God is with us through every moment.

We returned from our annual church camp on the night of 21st October. The camp was full of learning, laughter and wonderful fellowship. Since we were also part of the planning team, there was a mix of excitement and nervousness leading up to it. But when everything went well, we felt grateful and relieved, especially because we made some beautiful memories with both of you.

We had gone to the camp on the 18th morning in the special bus with everyone. But on the way back, Jun Uncle’s car had space for four people, so we decided to join him for a more comfortable ride. We reached home around 8.45 pm, tired but happy.

Mommy and you both reached the main door first and were trying to open it. Mommy was struggling with the wooden door lock, so I helped. I assumed the steel grill door had already been opened. Raphael, since you were not keeping well at the camp and didn’t eat properly, Mommy immediately ordered dosa batter to make some good home food for you. You both sat in the hall while we began settling down.

Then something unusual caught my eye.

The almirah near the kitchen was open. Since it is old and damaged, I didn’t think too much of it. But the real shock came when I entered the bedroom. On the floor were papers and clothes scattered everywhere. My suitcase that held all my certificates and important documents was wide open. The locker had been touched and things were lying around.

I asked Mommy if she had checked anything before leaving for camp, but she said she hadn’t. It slowly became clear that someone had been inside our home without our knowledge.

I went to check the locks on the main door again and that is when I noticed that they had been cut. I quickly checked the CCTV footage and saw a stranger breaking in on 18th October between 2.50 and 3.30 pm, exactly while we were away at camp. We checked if anything valuable was missing. Mommy had kept a small box of jewels in the wooden almirah and thankfully, it was still there. But remembering the envelope with some dollars and pounds, I feared that it might have been taken.

I wasn’t sure what to do next since nothing major seemed to be missing, but Mommy firmly said that we must inform the police. So I dialed 100 and reported everything.

Within just five minutes, a PCR police vehicle arrived. They came upstairs with me to inspect the house. The crime branch officers also called and asked us not to disturb the scene, as they needed to collect fingerprints. A little later, a police officer from the local station arrived and asked me to come register an FIR.

Around this time we were also thinking about our parents. It was already very late at night and since we were all safe at home, we didn’t want to worry them unnecessarily. We decided we would tell them in the morning, once we were calmer and had more clarity. While I was at the police station, Mommy informed Florence aunty, and Joseph uncle immediately offered to come help. As things were already under control, she told him it was okay. He prayed for us over the phone, which brought comfort and strength. I also informed Ps. Michael about the break-in, and he assured us of his prayers and support as well.

So around 10 pm, after a long journey from camp, I went to the police station and spent about 30 minutes completing all the formalities. The police were quick to respond, but since three days had already passed, they did not seem very hopeful about catching the burglars.

That night we returned home feeling shaken, uncertain and a little afraid. But we also felt thankful.

Thankful that both of you were safe.

Thankful that God protected what truly mattered. Thankful that even in moments of fear, we are not alone.

(…to be continued)