In my job as an interpreter, I was assigned to accompany a political delegation on a trip to Africa. Before beginning the trip, I prayed to understand more clearly that God’s protection and blessing are ever present and available to everyone, wherever we are. At that time, I had no idea that I would find myself needing God’s protection most urgently.

Our delegation was traveling through Zimbabwe on a bus, and we visited the Domboshawa cave formation. Without knowing it, when I left the cave, I brought a scorpion into the bus on the back of my shirt. Just before I took my seat, the thought came, “Sit up straight!” It came twice, and although I didn’t understand why, I obeyed and sat upright on my seat. Then the bus began to move, and our trip resumed.

After a short time, a colleague insisted on trading seats so I could take better pictures. I didn’t think this was necessary, but I accepted, and as I stood up, a man behind me said, “Don’t be scared. You have a scorpion on your back!” It was clear that he wasn’t joking. I immediately prayed, “Dear Father, let me do what is right.”