Some years ago, my wife and I were walking our puppies in some woodlands not far from our home on a beautiful escarpment in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. At one point, I noticed a couple of young men in the distance and felt something was not right. We were in a secluded area, far from any apparent help, but I dismissed my apprehension and continued our walk, certain that everyone was in God’s presence, surrounded by His love. 

After about half an hour, my wife and I returned to our parked car. The two men were there waiting for us. When I saw them, my thought immediately turned to our Father-Mother God, and I began praying, affirming that we were all safe in His care.

The young men had broken our car window and were worked up, possibly from drugs, into a state of aggressiveness and anger. They demanded our belongings and car key. One started to push me and then hit me with a long stick. The other stood aside with one arm behind his back, as if armed.