Before I begin to talk about the robbery, I would like to fill you in on the events of that day. We went door to door evangelizing again this month. It was a lot like last month in Kenya. Some people gave their lives to Christ, there were miracles, and children followed us throughout the streets. Each of these things occurred daily as we went out.
On this particular day we met a woman named Salma who was paralyzed in one foot. We prayed for her as a group, and she was healed. She then stood up, walked around as if she was trying on a new pair of shoes, and began to dance. I’ll never forget the smile she had on her face. She was so excited. We then shared the gospel with her, and she accepted Christ.
That afternoon and early evening we went to church. Jillian and I preached that night. Jillian preached on living out our faith, and I preached on evangelizing in that area as well as loving our Father in our relationship with Him. After the service a man who we had shared the gospel with a few days earlier was there in his car waiting for us. He asked if we could visit his house and pray for a little boy who was sick. Jessi and I went with the man as well as one of our ministry contacts, and we met a boy named William who is about 11 years old and has cancer. Please remember him in your prayers. We prayed for him and then went back to the house.
When we arrived at the house, it was time for dinner. At this point it was about 8:00pm. We all gathered around the table and then heard a loud bang on the back door. It happened one more time, and then the door was opened. Instantly we all began to run to our rooms. Jillian and I were sitting in the corner as they entered. We both saw that the first man was carrying a shotgun. Following him were at least 7 others, and some of those men were carrying clubs and pieces of wood.
Jessi and Jenae went into their room, turned off the lights, and sat down with their backs against the door. A few men tried to open the door, however, the girls kept them out. Their room wasn’t touched. Trevor ran into our room, closed the door, and held it shut. They threw a rock through the bottom of his door and then entered the room. I ran into the room with Jillian and Jessica. They both went against the wall and began to pray. I closed the door behind Jillian as she came in and leaned against it for one second thinking that they would soon be shooting through the door. Then they pushed it open and came in.
They took my watch first, then said, “Money, I’ll kill you.” I heard that phrase many times during the next five minutes. A man then grabbed my arm and took me to the room Trevor and I stayed in. I watched them take my wallet out of a pair of pants, then they grabbed both of my bags. Everything I had was in my bags…my tent, my computer, camera, sleeping bag, clothes, 3 pair of shoes, passport, iPod, etc. As they walked out, I stopped the one carrying my day pack and asked for my Bible. He just looked at me. I then took my bag off of his shoulder, searched for my Bible, and then noticed that it was on a night stand. I walked away that night with a few things, my Bible and my mandolin.
The whole thing happened extremely fast. People were screaming, breaking doors, and threatening to take our lives. As they were leaving, I said “God bless you” in Swahili. They turned around and said “Mungu….” which means God and then they stopped, as if they were caught off guard by what I said.
We had a man who stayed on our porch every night keeping watch. The men came to him first, threatened him, and then went around to the back door. The guard said that there were 15 to 20 of them. While Jessi and Jenae had the lights off, they could see some men walking outside of their windows.
I’m convinced that they had been watching us for a few weeks. In our room, they lifted the mattress where Trevor kept some things hidden. They didn’t do that in the other room. Also, you can’t see from the inside out at night, but you can see from the outside in. They could’ve been watching us, and we’d never know. Each of us heard people whispering or walking around during the nights many times.
Many people from the area and from the church came to the house a few minutes later. I was trying to preach the gospel to as many as possible, but I was told that they were all believers. A few of them said that they couldn’t believe how joyful we were. We tried to keep the environment God centered. There was and still is so much for which to be thankful. Before we left the house that night, one of our contacts asked me to pray. My prayer was simple, I thanked God for taking care of us, and I prayed for forgiveness for those who robbed us.
Things didn’t hit me until the afternoon of the next day. I became extremely bitter, extremely angry, and very much so carried a calloused heart for a few hours. I was wrecked. I hit rock bottom, spiritually and emotionally. I never once blamed God, nor did I ask why. And honestly, in my bitterness and anger, I felt so close to Him. I knew He understood how I felt. It was normal for me to feel those emotions, but only for a little while. It benefits no one for me to hold on to them, and I won’t be mastered by them, 1 Cor. 6:12.
I don’t want anyone who reads this to become bitter or angry. In fact, don’t think too much about the situation. If you become frustrated, read the first few paragraphs again. For that is why we are here. The thicker the darkness, the brighter the light of Christ shines.
More good will come from this than evil ever could. We’ve already seen fruit. I was able to share the gospel with the officer who conducted my interview and police report. I now have a new perspective in my relationship with God. He has given me a new insight into reading His word.
Philippians 3:7-10-“But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ- the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
I’m so thankful for all of the prayers you have provided for me. Truly, I thank you. Our first squad leader Tara has flown out to be with us and brought us all some gifts. She brought me some t-shirts and a new backpack. My needs have been met. I don’t have much, but I don’t need much. Also, our squad father Dave has joined us. It’s been nice to have them with us.
Thank you all so much for the prayers for our team. Please know that we are praying for you as well. The emails and encouraging words have made such a difference my growth. Take care, God bless!
