• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • Start Here
    • Get to know me
    • Progress Pictures
    • Race Recaps
    • Disclosure Policy
  • Growing in Grace New Year Planner
  • Contact Me
  • Nav Widget Area

    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

Mended By Mercy

Embracing Imperfection. Growing in Faith

May 26, 2016

The Day Al Qaeda Attacked my Family- Part 2

The Day Al Qaeda Attacked My Family

It is so unfair and cruel.  That these people can destroy lives with a simple pull of a trigger and I wonder if they feel any remorse…

That night my family gathered at my grandmother’s house along with Brittany’s boyfriend and his family.  I wanted so desperately to be there with them.  I spent hours trolling through twitter, looking at the social media coverage of the crisis, in hopes that I would come across a picture of Brittany or media footage of her escaping.  At some point that night, 2 of the team members had been found, but 2 were still missing.

Brittany was still missing.

I got down on my knees and as I cried, I begged God to protect her.  I begged God to keep her safe.  I begged God to bring her home.  As I pleaded, I told Him I recognized that He is good.  No matter what happens, He is GOOD.

As I went to bed, I knew that many prayers were being lifted.  Prayer chains had begun at our church in St. Louis and here in New Mexico.  My husband and I prayed together through tears.  We chose not to hide the realities of this broken world from our son.  We had prayed for Brittany and her team with him as she left for Africa so he understood that she was across the globe helping the villagers build schools for kids just like him.  We explained to our son that bad guys were attacking where cousin Brittany was helping the villagers, so he prayed that the bad guys would not find her.  I begged God to hear the prayers of this little one.  This little one with so much innocence.

We went to bed with heavy hearts.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

12540683_10100443987428150_3715982140787243301_n

Our family was blessed to be reunited with Brittany!

29 innocent victims did not survive that night.  29 families were destroyed because of the sin in this world.  Those that survived now deal with post-traumatic stress, anxiety, fear… their lives forever changed because of the violent crimes of Al Qaeda.

12507500_10100443987552900_3420260029208783639_n

I am so grateful for technology!  In the above picture, my precious momma is facetiming so I can see Brittany and hear her voice.  I wanted so desperately to reach through that phone and embrace her!  With tears streaming down my face, I told her how much I loved her and she kept reassuring me that she was okay!  The tears of joy just would not stop.  I cried because God is incredible!  I cried because God is amazing!

[Tweet “We live in the moment, but God sees the big picture.”]

 

In the weeks and months after the attack on Burkina Faso, God continued to work in my heart. During the attack, I wanted so desperately to just hop on a plane, land in Burkina Faso and charge in to save Brittany.  Unrealistic, I know, but it’s what my heart longed to do!  Realistically, all I could do was get on my knees and pray.  And I did with every fiber of my being.

Only a few short weeks later after the attack, I pulled out a pocket bible that I keep in my purse, and I asked God to show me what I needed to see that day.

IMG_6242

I opened to Psalm 124.  My eyes began to fill with tears as I heard God say through this scripture:

“I am in control.  You don’t need to ever carry the burden that comes with an unknown future. I am and will always be in control.”

 

Filed Under: Testimonies

Reader Interactions

How to Change your Heart in a Moment of Mom Anger
3 Ways to Battle Destructive Thoughts

Comments

  1. Christine Carter says

    May 28, 2016 at 9:48 am

    Oh Stephanie, I can’t even imagine how terrifying this was for all of you- especially precious Brittany! Thank GOD she survived and yet, my heart aches for those whose lives were forever changed by this horrific attack.

    God IS faithful, even in the midst of tragedy.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


CommentLuv badgeShow more posts

Primary Sidebar

Welcome!

Recent Posts

  • How to Open Your Soul to God
  • Trusting in God’s Plan for your Life
  • Break Free from Anxiety
  • How to Find Peace in the Perfect Storm
  • Take Action Against Anxiety

Looking for something?

© 2015 Pretty Happy WordPress Theme · By: Pretty Darn Cute Design

Elf on the Shelf Jesus Style Biblical Virtues FREE EBOOK!
Subscribe to Mended By Mercy's newsletter for spiritual encouragement in your inbox and get your own copy of Elf on the Shelf Jesus Style Biblical Virtues for FREE!