STORM2K

I got an email from a friend back home in South Africa. We were just talking about the differences in the freedom's I have here and the way I am going to have to get used to doing things when I go back. If I did not know that God was protecting me and my family I think I would be a jibbering idiot. The reality is starting to set in that I am going to have to change the whole way I live my life. It makes me so sad because South Africa is such a beautiful place.

The government released the crime statistics for my province yesterday and the good news is the murders have dropped to only 13per day!

She sent me the following info ... read it and try imagine doing these things EVERYDAY of your life! The area this pertains to is NOT a big city, it is small suberban areas!

How to prevent a hijacking: (carJacking)

There are a few simple but effective tips…

- It isn't easy to spot a potential hijacker so be wary of anybody who approaches your car or is loitering near traffic lights, stop streets, parking lots or your driveway.

- Practice the 1km security routine to ensure you're fully concentrating on driving and what's going on around you. This is done by turning off your cell phone and radio and becoming extra vigilant.

- Look around before opening your car door. Every time you approach your car, even before you get in and drive off, you're a potential target.

- Report anything suspicious to police. They can't take action if they're unaware of the situation.

- Don't enter your garage or parking area if you suspect you're being followed. Rather drive to the nearest police station.
Protecting yourself from an attack.

One of the best ways of protecting yourself from attack is to avoid things that may provoke it. Stay out of unfamiliar areas, dress appropriately, avoid walking in unlit areas, and don't display valuables. Sometimes this however is unavoidable. Here are some steps that may be taken:

1. Take a self-defense class be it a paid one or free one offered by law enforcement.

2. Understand self defense equipment and its use. Pepper spray and stun guns are good products if used correctly. Although a set of keys or a kubaton may be a better choice both are hard to get away from you by your assailant. The kubaton is pointy object that won't pierce the skin but is small and handheld. It will inflict a lot of pain and deter an attack.

3. Another good choice is a personal alarm that you carry and can be set off. It produces a loud alarm to scare an attacker and alert others of your trouble. There also are models for you and your child that will alert you when your child gets out of range from you. These are usually adjustable for a 6 to 30 foot area. Especially helpful in store and mall settings.

4. Remember most cell phones have a speed dial setting for an emergency number.

Safeguarding your home

Simple but effective tips that could save your life in an emergency

Crime is ever present and often works in cycles with certain suburbs being more prone than others at times. Crimewatch sponsor ADT Security in KwaZulu-Natal is aware of this trend and keeps a close watch on the data collect ed within the areas of o perat ion . Often, homeowners can safeguard themselves and their families by taking certain, simple precautions.

These include;

1. Phoning your security service provider's control room on a monthly basis to test your alarm signal,

2. Have your alarm serviced at least once a year. Like a car, it has parts that age and wear out. Your insurance company will also, in all likelihood, check whether you have properly maintained your alarm in the event of a burglary.

3. Remember – alarms age beyond useful life and should be replaced with new equipment, which has enhanced technology/features to improve your protection.

4. When going out, ensure all your pets are locked out and that all doors and windows are closed and locked. Then arm your alarm. Make this your routine regardless of how long you will be out.

5. Ensure the entrance to your property is well lit and clear of trees and shrubs so you cannot be surprised by attackers lurking behind them. Always be extra vigilant when entering or exiting your property and, if possible, have your remote panic on hand.

6. Ensure that you have photocopies of the identity documents of any employees, who work or live on your property. Never employ a stranger without first obtaining their work history and get references.

7. Always ask for proof of identity when a salesman or serviceman wants to enter your property – even if it is a Security technician.

8. Do not let anyone in to your home to make a phone call if they claim to have broken down. Make the call for them but under no circumstances let a stranger in.

9. When you leave your local shopping mall check in your rearview mirror whether you are being followed. If you think you are, drive to your nearest police station or phone your security company's control room so that an armed response officer can meet you at your home.

10. Get to know your neighbours and start a block watch or consider implementing a foot or bicycle patrol in your area.

11. Do not play music or leave a TV on and then leave the doors and windows open while you go and work in another part of your house. This is the ideal opportunity for a prospective burglar to gain access to your home.

12. Do not leave ladders, spades or any other tools lying around your property, which burglars could use to attack someone or use to break-in to your house.

13. Ensure that all your outside locks are a minimum of four lever lock or double cylinder security locks.

14. Remember that the best deterrent against any burglar is a watchdog that is allowed to freely roam your property. They will warn you of any intruders.

Bronnie,

I may have missed it when you first posted about you and your family returning to Africa. How come you have to return?

Eric

Stay safe and good luck!

Bronnie...you know I will now send you a PM in the next day or two, but hang on to your faith girl. You have more faith per pound than any of the members here at S2k.

As I recall, you will be leaving before the end of the year. Do you have a more exact date?

Plenty of others will want to be with you in spirit at that time.

Hang on tight.

Unfortunately, this is good advice for a lot of places in the US as well as "overseas."

Yes, I guess it is an adjustment, but I think (and hope) the adjustment is offset by going "home."

Home is "home." And everyone, I think, has their own personal drawbacks and dangers that sometimes make it difficult for others to understand. For some of us, it is hard to understand those who want to return to homes threatened by such things as frequent hurricanes, volcanoes, earthquakes, etc.--but again, "home is home."

And home is very precious to everyone, regardless of where it is, I believe.

Bron. You and Your Family are in my thoughts and prayers always. As mentioned before, you are one of gods messengers and your faith will get you through. God Bless (HUGS)))

Bron, you will be missed. I'm in the Middle East right now, and vigilance is the best key to survive even if you are in a 'resort' type base. We do what we can to get through without any problems... I'm sure you will be doing the same thing.

Good Luck with your adventure back in your homeland.

Bronnie, I can't believe that the time has almost come. I do hope that someday you will be able to find your way back to the States and S2K for that matter. We're all going to miss you!

Bron, This is a real emotional time, and I'm not good with emotions.

First of all, I am apprehensive for your safety. It's sad about the danger and the change in lifestyle.

Secondly, we are sorely going to miss you around here, and hope that you find a way to keep in touch.

Finally, it's exciting that you are being led to do this, and who knows what great things are in store for you.

Even though my words aren't gushing, I have a lot of stong, yet mixed feelings about this.

I sincerely wish you the best in every way. Keep in touch if at all possible!

Bronwyn... I was not aware that you were leaving so this post took me by surprise. I guess with being so busy lately one loses track of what is going on.

You are a kind sweet soul who will be missed greatly! I wish you the best and hope that sometime in the future there will be posts from Bronwyn on S2K regularly again!

Will there be a mailing address so that we can at least get updates from you here @ S2K?

God Bless,
Garrett

Bronnie...am listening to it as I post. One of the most powerful Christian music songs I have carried with me through the years....

Always reminds me we can make it through the most difficult days...

On My Knees sung by Jaci Valasquez

There are days when I feel
The best of me is ready to begin
Then there are days when I feel
I'm letting go and soaring on the wind
'Cause I've learned in laughter or
In pain
How to survive
I get on my knees
I get on my knees
There I am before the love
That changes me
See I don't know how
But there's power
When I'm on my knees
I can be in a crowd
Or by myself almost anywhere
When I feel there's a need
To talk with God He is Emmanuel
When I close my eyes
No darkness there
There's only light
I don't know how but there's power
In the blue skies
In the midnight
When I'm on my knees

Sorry I neglected to respond to my own thread

We finally built our 100sft crate and it looks rather pretty sitting in my living room we leave on the 1st of December at 7am from Daytona beach (such a blessing to have found a flight from there and not from Orlando, which is quite a drive for us). Our crate leaves on November 18th along with our computer, but I am hoping to have our laptop up and running, so I should be able to post right up untill the night before we leave.

Eric... to answer your question. We applied for our green cards on the bases of an intracompany transfer, well to cut a long story short, the INS said our company was not lucrative enough to support us and there were a whole other bunch of problems getting my husband through labor certification. However the Lord confirmed to me this was His will when we got an email from the Department of Justice saying they had reached there quota for worked based visas and capped the amount of green cards. When you ask the Lord to guide you He really makes the way VERY clear, shuts the door and tosses away the key.

Shanon.. your an insperation girl. To be where you are, doing what you are doing is truly inspiring to me!

Ed.. Your post was very touching to me, thank you. I love your sense of humor. Perhaps because it is as dry and twisted as my own. As far as apprehensive feelings go. Im having them as well. Hence the reasoning for this thread. I do know that this is an issue that I need to pray A WHOLE lot about. I know in my spirit that I walk under the protection of the almighty, it is just getting the flesh to be strong as well as the spirit. I am very excited. There is so much I have learnt from Americans, on a humanistic level. I have a feeling in my spirit that with God's grace I will make a differance in that country. If I can bring light and hope to one persons life back home this journey will be very fulfilling for me.

Steve, as usual your insight is uncanny! The amazing thing is that song has been a crutch for me MANY times. I have been alone and listening to that very song and literally ended up on my knees, face to the floor before the throne of the Master. I know it is something I dont do often enough and that song sure is a reminder of where all of us need to be. I am learning to just let it all go. To let go of the fear of the future, thoughts of "what if, this and what if that". I am praying the Lord will give me the wisdom and the strength just to stand on His promises and rest in Him, knowing He will guide me and provide for me.

Thanks to all of you for the well wishes. I will make sure I send out an email to my friends here on S2k so you can hear what I am up to.

I have a feeling in my spirit that with God's grace I will make a differance in that country. If I can bring light and hope to one persons life back home this journey will be very fulfilling for me.

Those two statements alone speak volumes in both promise for you and reassurance for us.

Here's wishing you and your family the VERY best, Bron! Prayers and thoughts sent your way!

((((HUGS))))

God Bless You,

Eric

Just keep your guns oiled, loaded and at the ready...I have other friends in SA...British-descent...who live in "fortresses", too.

Or, as one of my MPD instructors put it, "Prayers won't stop a bullet".

streetsoldier wrote:Just keep your guns oiled, loaded and at the ready...I have other friends in SA...British-descent...who live in "fortresses", too.

Or, as one of my MPD instructors put it, "Prayers won't stop a bullet".

But God intervenes in many ways that most of us haven't witnessed.

LOL Bill. Hubby has his aresenal ready and waiting for him. As far as prayer stopping bullets, I do believe the Lord does deflect them. Point in case, my husband had a shot fired at him from a crouch position. The bullet hit him between the two lower shin bones *millimeters to spare on each side without hitting bone* and the miracle. The bullet when through his leg, bounced off the wall, into the ceiling and loged next to him into the floor. The truth is, if he had not been standing in the very spot he had been standing the bullet would have come back down into his head, and not into the floor! I was asleep in the other room. I can just picture some angels playing ping-pong with a bullet. Another example. I was walking to my bus stop and for some reason an old lady stopped me and asked me for some directions. She delayed me and I was scared I was going to miss my bus. As I came around the corner, I saw my bus was stuck in the middle of a shoot out between 2 taxi's (Taxi wars are very big in SA). Yup.... I do believe the Lord has deflected many a bullet because I pray for His protection and the protection of my loved ones!