Emmanuel- God with us

Last Sunday, was a very scary night for us and the Germo family. We had just spent the afternoon together, along with the interns, Laura, Pearl, and John at a fun park called Paradise Lost. When we were there I developed a fever and started to have body aches which are the 2 symptoms for malaria. Jason and I decided that Samara and I would go with the Germo's to get tested for malaria and he would take our older three children to the guesthouse and put them to bed. When we were driving out of the park two men with guns stepped out in front of the Germo's van aiming right at us. Another man came right up to the driver side and forced himself behind the wheel while the other 2 also came inside. Those first few minutes they were aggressive with their words as we all agreed we were going to cooperate with them. We all were crying out to Jesus to save us and protect us. They were asking us for 5 million Kenya shillings, which was not even possible and eventually lowered it to 200,000 ksh. During this time we had to give our phones and they searched the car for any money, cameras and the possessions we had with us. We were told to close our eyes and ultimately the arrangements were going to be finalized with their boss. We were now driving to meet up with him. I remember thinking that I was going to be with Jesus by the end of the day. I kept thinking of Jason, and was so grateful He and our older 3 kids were not there. The Germo children were so brave and quiet. There is no way my 3 would have been that way. I kept praying the Lord would have Samara stay sleeping. She normally is so difficult during the evening hours crying and even screaming at times. She did not even wake up once. I had a peace, knowing that people must be praying for us- especially since the following Sunday we had just evacuated from our home. I prayed that the Lord would call upon others to lift us up in prayer. For Dan to know the right words to answer. For Protection. They were planning on holding the family and I hostage while Dan went and found money to bring to them. Then after that they promised they would let us go. Finally we had stopped to pick up the boss. The Boss opened the van door to get Dan out when he looked in the back seeing all the 3 Germo children. When his eyes set on Samara he swore and yelled at the thugs for taking us. He closed the door and went behind the driver seat proceeding to drive drunk- holding a whiskey in one hand. He was speeding and turning corners so fast that I thought we were now going to die from the van turning over. Dan prayed that the Lord would sober him up and the boss changed. Whenever he drove over bumps, sending us airborne, he would apologize and ask if we were okay. The Boss said he wanted Dan to take out his daily allowance out of the atm and then he would release us. He kept asking Dan if he loved his family he better not mess. Dan was able to get the money and give it to them. One thug asked Dan to pray for him and told us it was Jesus who had saved us that night. We drove for a little more and then pulled over to the side of the rode. They got out and let us drive away in the vehicle. We were able to get to a country club and call Jason who was already at the police station- and had filled out a missing persons report. Jason was getting ready to go back to the park to look for us along with 3 armed police officers. The next day we found out that so many of our Kenyan friends were praying for us as well as a prayer chain that started in Minnesota. Once we drove away Dan immediately led a prayer to ask for the salvation for these 4 men. That they would be haunted by what they did and be led to repentance. They would never do this to anyone ever again. We are so grateful to be alive. God was with us every moment. It is easy to think of what might have happened or replay the scary events over and over in our heads. This is another way Satan tries to still battle out, but the victory was already won. God is seated on His thrown and worthy of praise. Even when it is hard to understand why God allowed it to happen, He still is in control and was with us.