Ripped Off!
About the Author
Ben spends most of his time working with underprivileged kids in Tijuana, Mexico, encouraging them to continue their education. He's an unofficial member of Iglesia Bautista Monte Horeb, which runs the elementary school, Centro Pedagógico Didaque.
Over the last couple of days, I’ve been pouring through Jim Cramer’s book, Confessions of a Street Addict. Chapter 8, titled Desai, tells the story of how Ravi Desai, ripped Jim Cramer off for a boatload of money and heartache. Desai is a big-time con. Plug his name into a search engine, and you’ll read about the rest of the scams he’s been involved in.
But that’s business. Cramer lost (at least a few inches off) his shorts (and that’s not a pleasant picture). But he bounced back with tenacity, amassing his fortune. I think it’s almost proven that those who reach great heights, fall quite frequently in the process of arrival.
While working as a volunteer or missionary, the same occurs—only in smaller, but just as painful, quantities. I love ladders; and a year ago I bought a “like new” 6 foot Werner. This ladder is money, retailing over $100. Yet I picked it up at an auction for the bid price of $30. What a find! I use it all the time and brag about it regularly.
To save you the boring step-by-step account, last night it was stolen. Ahh! It took me over an hour to stop thinking about my loss. Actually, I had to force myself (and promise my wife) to no longer bring up the subject. This is not new, however. I’ve been ripped off “on the field” before, and I’ll be taken again for sure.
I know the grass is always greener, but somehow it seems if you’re making good money, you can roll off the hits. You’ll receive more the next paycheck—especially if you work harder. Yet on the mission field you are giving, giving, giving. You can work all day, and no more money will appear in the bank. In fact, less money will be in your pocket if you’re funding your own adventures. And then you take a hit by some thief? And then you are supposed to get back to giving? That’s tough for me.
After getting burned, Cramer’s wife said to him, “…Now stop moping around about it and figure out how you can make more money in the stock market to bail the thing out.” (pg. 122) Well, I don’t know how bullish I’m feeling, but something in Mrs. Cramer’s statement gets me ready for another day on “the street.” Tomorrow I’m headed back to the auction!
May 21st, 2007 at 9:57 am
I’m sorry this happened, and I can imagine how frustrating it must be. I’ll be praying that you get what you need at the auction, and that this unpleasantness somehow works out and glorifies God. :-)
May 21st, 2007 at 11:03 am
It seems almost the same thing happened to me. Only this time it was my own fault. I had my car taken from me in a car accident. It seems as though it was for the better in retrospect. I wish you luck in your endeavors at the auction! I hope that you can find something!