Before I start going into details, I just want to assure you that we’re all fine, and have been amazed at God’s protection and His faithfulness.
Last night we got a call from Becky Helsby at around 9:00pm telling us that there were bandits in the Miller’s house. She told us to lock our doors, stay inside and pray. (We live in what’s known as the “plaster house” here at Mavuno, which is in the village, but only 5 mins walk from the Helsby’s. The Millers house is a further 10 mins walk from the Helsby’s). We locked up, switched off everything, and just prayed. We heard a lot of shouting, whistles going off, sirens, but still just prayed. This we did until Dave Helsby came round at around 10:15pm to tell us what had happened. (We have a “volunteer mobile” phone with us, but we don’t get very good reception here at the plaster house, so we didn’t get any news until Dave arrived. We’re extremely glad that the initial call from Becky did come through!)
Five armed men came by boat to rob the Millers and Mavuno. One of the men was dressed like a policeman and carried a police issue gun. They approached the Miller’s home and demanded to come inside saying they were police. Josh Miller didn’t believe them and didn’t let them in, so they fired 9 shots from a gun into the house (but only hitting the wall), then broke the door down. Josh managed to phone Dave as they were breaking the door down, who went over there in the car. Becky phoned us around this time.
Amy Miller managed to get their four kids (all under 7 years old) into the bathroom and locked it. Josh meanwhile was being beaten by the bandits with a stick. When Dave approached, they shot at him, and he had to run back to his house. The bandits then forced Josh to take them to the office safe at the Helsby’s house to steal the Mavuno money. They again shot at Dave at his home. The bandits took the money, then fled by boat.
The only person injured was Josh. He’s got a badly bruised arm that thankfully isn’t broken, bruising and cuts to his back and shoulders, plus a gash to his head. Josh was taken to hospital today to get checked over. Praise God that there was an American A&E specialist there to see him! None of the injuries are very serious.
The Miller’s house is pretty badly damaged, and the Helsby’s house has a broken door. We have been round the Helsby’s most of the day today. Lucy has also been helping tidy up the crime scene at the Miller’s house and I have been repairing the broken doors.
What has been amazing, is the response of the local villagers. There have been relationship issues between Kitongo village and Mavuno, but after the news got round, around 70 men turned up at the Helsbys place to go out and find the bandits. Then this morning, around 15-20 of the village women came over to offer their “pole
Josh said that he really felt God’s peace with him when he was being beaten up. He knew that God was with Him in that situation. Josh also had a smile on him this morning, and seemed in good spirits. Others too have just testified God’s peace and God’s presence in what must have been a very scary situation.
We too were very scared while all the stuff was going on. We’re in a house in the middle of nowhere, lights off, doors locked, with loads of noise going on around us, scared that the bandits were targeting Mavuno or any Westerners, and that we might get a visit too. It’s amazing how fear and persecution really helps your prayer life! We were helpless here in our little home, but God has protected us and looked after us. We couldn’t do anything but pray, and God has been faithful.
We just wanted to let you know what's been happening and God's amazing protection over us all.
Forced / broken gate with rock used to break main door
Bullet Holes
Rock used to break internal door
Hi guys
ReplyDeleteReally glad that you are ok. Keep safe over the last few days.
See you soon.
Love Frank and Kerry