In a place where driving is an interesting affair, I'm honestly surprised we've not been involved in more pranks. Obviously God's sending his angels to help us avoid a whole lot that we're not seeing...
Yesterday however, was my turn. The rough dirt road that normally leads to the kids school is currently closed to reinforce a bridge. The other dirt road had a truck broken down so I was unable to pass there...the kids therefore led me to yet another road that has turned out to be alot faster and alot less...well...dirt road!
So, whilst travelling up this...less dirt road but narrow road...a coaster sized yellow school bus decided to come the other way. He must have been a little late as it was moving a little fast! The normal etiquette even in Tanzania is slooooow down when you are about to reach a narrow part in the road AND pass another car at the same time. I think he must have skipped that day at driving school though....
I slowed and slowed...and slowed....and slowed....he didn't. I had to absolutely stop as I was stuck with a tree on my left and a big coaster on my right. Praise God he did no damage to me, but on my rear tow bar, he scraped a big nasty scratch about two feet tall and two meters long down the side of his - or should I say - his boss's car.
SO in Australia, you call the cops, they sort it you move on. Here I call my Tanzanian friend to come HELP!, my Australian friend to get the kids from school I've not reached, then I lock the car, breath and get ready to face the music.
No matter if it's my fault or not....I'm white...so it's my fault...AND I've got money so I can fix it!
To cut a long story short, my Tanzanian friend arrived. We sat around talking for about an hour, witnesses came back and forth each telling different lies and truths. The owner of the bus got on the phone and shouted that there were one hundred witnesses who saw me deliberately crash into her car and I WOULD PAY. Hmm....I said...please talk with my friend.
In the end, God prompted one of the teachers on the school bus to give an honest account of what happened. She told this to the owner of the bus...and ten minutes later everyone got up and walked drove off.
These are scary situations...you never know if at one word, people are going to all of a sudden turn angry. I don't want to live my life in fear, but I'm vividly aware of the way people deal with 'crime' (or innocent people) with their own social justice. A white person offers no exception!
Today I'll buy lunch for my Tanzanian friend who came and negotiated for me. It's really best in these situations for me to stay out of it. I may know Swahili, but I don't know how to talk with the people about these sorts of things. They never raise their voice or get angry...I would get too upset.
Thank you for everyone who is praying...God truly does protect and justify us!!
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