Article January 1, 2001 Issue

...in Johannesburg, South Africa

by Amy Gibbs

On a cold night last year, in July, having just stepped out of the shower, I stood looking into the mirror with only my dressing gown on. I was suddenly startled by the sound of my mother shouting at someone. We had been expecting my brother home, so I assumed he had given my mother a fright. As I walked out of my bedroom, nothing could have prepared me for what I saw: a man holding a semi-automatic weapon. I soon found out that five men had broken into our house and were threatening her.

But instead of panic and fear, I had the most peaceful feeling I have ever felt. It was the most calm and clear moment of my life. I felt safe and protected by God, and that allowed me to help my mother and to calm down the intruders.

The words of the 23rd Psalm and the Lord's Prayer were a great inspiration to me during this time. One intruder began to tie me up as the others brought my mother into my bedroom. He kept on apologising, and he even went so far as to tell me that he was not going to rape me. It seemed as though he recognized my inner strength, and realised who had the power.

Send a comment to the editors