Wherever we are. If we have chosen to love God. He takes care of us. If we are in Egypt or Angola. Somalia or Nigeria. Ethiopia or South Africa. God will care for us. Sometimes we think he does not. And sometimes trouble comes. But God will turn it into something good if we let him.
Away down in South Africa i met man who was very sure that God helps us in trouble. Here is the story
Pastor Moya was working in Natal. That is where he preached. He helped young people to learn to preach too. They all wanted to help people know about God. One day pastor Moya said to the young people.
On friday evening we will practice for a meeting. I know it is very dark and you will be going home after dark. But there is no other way we can do it. Surely God will help us. So you plan to come at 06:00 pm and we will finish just as soon as we can.
The young people came. They had a good time practicing. At 07:30. When they were finished. It was very dark. They hurried home. The pastor rode a bus to the Malawzi township. Where his home was. When the bus stopped at the Malawzi market.
There were no lights there at all. It was dark. So dark. But pastor Moya could find his way. He had been there many times. Before he went to his house he stopped at a public restroom. It was very dark there. Too. He went inside.
Then he started out. Just as he got to the doorway. Six men rushed to him. They took hold of him. One put a knife to his neck. One put a knife to his heart. Keep quiet. They whispered in rough voices. Or we'll kill you.
Pastor Moya's heart beat very fast. He didn't say a word. But he prayed in his thoughts to God. The men took his coat off. They took his shirt off. They felt in his pockets and took everything out. But pastor Moya very little money.
He had only a few papers and books. We didn't get anything. The men whispered in angry voices. Let's kill him. If we do not kill him. He will tell the police tomorrow. Pastor Moya heard them say this. God show theyself. He prayed.
One man tried to push a knife into his throat. But the man's hands were full of the little papers and books. Just then the thief dropped one of the little notebooks. One that had come from the pacific press. It was very dark. But he leaned over to pick it up. Wait he shouted. Don't kill him.
A little card fell out of the book. That was the card the pastor always carried because it said he was a minister for God. The Thief stooped to pick up the card. Pastor Moya waited as the men gathered around the little notebook and the card.
It was dark. So dark. But still they were looking. They looked and looked and looked. Nobody said anything. Everything was quiet. Pastor Moya kept praying. The men kept reading. How can they read in the dark.
The pastor wondered. Then the men gathered around pastor Moya. And they said. Please. Please excuse us. Forgive us for this. We did not know you were this kind of man.
We did not know you were a preacher for God. But this card says you are. This is our job. This is how we live. But we do not want to hurt you. Forgive us. Oh. Forgive us.
They gave pastor Moya's coat back and his shirt and his books and his papers. Yes. They gave back his money . Too. Then they all went out the door and pastor Moya went home.
That night Pastor Moya had a special prayer meeting at his home to thank God for his care.
