a simple twist of fate

I really don't feel an urgency of any kind to divulge the miserable details of my stolen passport and money, but I would like to share how a potential disaster turned in to a beautiful opportunity to build community. As Dylan would say, it was a simple twist of fate, but it was also a magical cure for my misery. Somewhere between Bukittinggi and Dumai, Sumatra, my little purple bag holding all my valuables was lifted out of a bigger bag (only in there so that I could sleep without wearing it-- sure wish I had kept it on me!). However, I didn't even have much time to mope about my losses (except filling out police report, etc), because two men were suddenly offering Tony and me the sanctuary of their home and school. Mr. Muchsin and one of his former students, who now teaches with him, invited us to exchange room & board for English conversation with the students of the "Grand English Course" training centre (two small classrooms next to Muchsin's small house). Muchsin's goal is to connect his students (of all ages & callings) with native English speaking travelers who happen to be passing through Dumai, and so we ended up spending three days helping students to practice their English. It was a very rewarding experience to be with students who were so eager to learn about our world and to try out their speaking skills with us. Plus, they were all so beautiful! I mean really radiant and pure-hearted. Muchsin and his family were so incredibly warm and welcoming, giving us a room of our own and feeding us meals, tea and snacks, even though his family of six struggles significantly . Tony and I were so taken with the passion Muchsin has for his work, his investment in his students' futures (he believes strongly that English will help them achieve so much more). We really had a very meaningful time being a part of Muchsin's world, and it was quite hard to say good-bye. But alas, I had to fly to Jakarta for an emergency passport (with Tony's cash), while Tony took the ferry to Malaysia. Still, I feel blessed to have a piece of rotten luck turn into such a lovely memory of making connections in Dumai.