Life is a valuable gift, one you cherish even more after standing to lose it.

I am so grateful to be able to write this post. A week ago my wife and I, together with 2 other friends, had dinner at friends home. While we were having coffee, four armed robbers came in, ordered us to “shut up”, and tied us down. They pulled the rings off our hands, took whatever they could out of our pockets and continued to empty the house. They asked our host where the safe is, and threatened to kill him if he doesn’t show them where the safe is. Our hands were tied in such a way, that we started to loose feeling in them. After one of the robbers helped one of us, another one came back in a asked what was going on. He said that we are complaining about our hands, and the guy (presumably the “boss”) just laughed, and then COCKED his pistol. At that stage I felt certain that he is going to shoot us. We were kept there for more than an hour and a half. Throughout the whole ordeal we prayed, and could really sense God’s protection over us. The morning previous to the incident, my wife felt that we needed to Psalm 23 and although we thought we knew the passage so well, we did read it. While we were laying there, the phrase “though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”

I wasn’t afraid to die; it was more the uncertainty of what they will do. The robbers were so at ease, that they took their time took count and divide the money the looted. I knew that if they were to try and rape any one of the woman, I will put up a fight. We are so grateful that didn’t visit us.

The proceeded to ask us for the car keys, and we had to explain to them how the keys work and how they can get out of the house. After the drove off, we managed to free ourselves, and could press the panic button for the security company to come out. The police were on the scene in minutes, and were very helpful.

It has been a week after the ordeal, and to say that our lives have not been touched by this will be dishonest. Through the grace of God, and with the passionate support of friends and family, we are picking up the pieces.

THE ROAD AHEAD….

After an incident like this, so many thoughts go through your mind. Will they come back? Where can I feel safe? Should I go overseas? Can I trust anyone? Can I feel safe again?

A lot is being said in our country to bring back the death penalty, harsher punishment for offenders etc. And I can understand why it’s being said – with crime so rampant in our beautiful country.

But Jesus is difficult. He says that we should love our enemies (Matt 5:38-46). We should not take revenge, we should not despise, we should not hate. But these words are harder to do than it is to simply read. How do you love someone who has not only taken from you earthly possessions, but also took from you your sense of safety and trust in the goodness of people?

Slowly but surely, I learn to open my heart for Jesus and allow him to transform my heart and my mind. Those four men who robbed us do not realize what they are doing. I have forgiven them. Their lives are in danger – they can be shot at any day, their lives are hanging by a threat, they could spend all of their remaining days in prison. They are in a desperate situation – at a place where they might be gaining so much of this world, but losing their souls. What happened in their lives that they choose to live this life?

As a follower of Jesus, I believe and trust Him when he says that HE is the way, the truth and the life. I put my trust in that He knows best – that the best way to live is to be free…

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and may we learn to love our enemies. We do not need more laws, we need more hearts to change.