SUBJECT: Clubbed in the Dark

AUTHOR: David Gates, his wife Becky, and three of their five children - Katie, Carlos, and Kristopher, work together with Becky's parents, sister and family, in a medical aviation program in the jungles of Guyana, South America.

DATE: July 12, 1997

Dear friends and family,

"The angel of the Lord encampeth around them that fear Him and delivereth them." King David experienced God's protection first hand and assures us that God will always be with his children...especially during times of danger and distress. He continues, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For thou art with me." Most persons have been faced with danger at some time during their life. Many have experienced God's protection from harm and danger. Some have actually seen a miraculous event or witnessed angelic protection, as I have several years ago while living in Lima, Peru (See the book "In the Presence of Angels" by Lonnie Melanshenko)

However, what are we to think when God actually allows us to feel pain, loss, or death? Because He intervenes once, does it mean that He always will? Even if going through the valley of the shadow of death, do we still have reason to be thankful for his presence and sustaining companionship? Even if pain and loss is allowed, does God continue to intervene to make our burden light? Does God answer the question "Why?" Or like He did with Job, God pointed out his sustaining power over the universe, and reminded Job simply to trust Him.

This last week, my oldest daughter Katie and I went through a traumatic, painful experience. We were assaulted and beaten by two men with clubs in an attempted robbery. We had arrived in Georgetown rather late, and after working on a long To-Do list, we had headed to the Conference office where we spent several hours taking care of email correspondence. Finishing after dark, we took a taxi to Davis Memorial Hospital where we had accommodation. Since we had not had supper yet, I had the taxi drop us off about a block from the hospital so we could buy a few food items. Picking up the small bags of food, we began our walk to the hospital. I had walked that particular block many times, but never with bags in my hand, so I was a bit uncomfortable. As is usually the case with hindsight, it showed that I should have heeded my discomfort. C'est la vie. At the entrance to the road were three young men, one on a bicycle. I had seen them there many times before. It seemed they never had anything to do, except call out to passers by and verbally harass church members and visitors on their way to our evangelistic tent meetings next to the hospital. As far as I knew, they had not gone further than to verbally harass anyone.

Walking as fast as we could, we looked back occasionally to see if anyone was following. They weren't. We passed several older women walking the opposite direction. As we rounded the corner, walking in front of the hospital property, I remember thinking how glad I was that our guardian angels had accompanied us through the darkness. Within 50 feet of the hospital gate, the light from the hospital began to illuminate the road, and I relaxed. Suddenly, I felt several blows to the back of my head with a club, causing me to loose my balance and stumble forward. I heard Katie scream as she was grabbed from behind. I tightened my grip on my briefcase as I felt a second man trying to jerk it out of my hand. Suddenly another blow struck me on the right side of my face. I looked up and saw the first man holding Katie with one hand and holding a wooden club in the other. I recognized him to be one of the men that had been standing out by the road when we walked in. Katie was screaming. I occurred to me that I should not become separated from Katie, so I reached out and grabbed one of her legs and held on. I began shouting for security.

Unable to get me to release my briefcase, the second man began to reach into all my pants pockets, but my pockets had nothing in them since I had emptied them before walking down the dark street. Suddenly the two men left, one on his bicycle, the other running, as a car drove up and with lights shining on us. Right behind the car, came two security guards from the hospital, and most of the nurses. Evidently the whole hospital staff had heard the commotion and come running out. "Oh Dr. Gates, it is you, and your daughter. We are so sorry." (Many of the staff continue to call me by the title of Doctor which carried over as a courtesy from my years in Trinidad where I taught at Caribbean Union College, and still teach occasionally in the Andrews University's MBA program). We were escorted inside where we received first aid treatment. The police were called immediately and three officers showed up in a small pickup truck about 20 minutes later. They had Dr. Lara, our Chief Medical Officer and missionary from Bolivia, fill out the proper medical forms, and then asked me to come with them down the road to identify where we had purchased our food and the path we had followed during our walk. I jumped into the back of the pickup truck with one of the officers while we drove down he road leading to the hospital. As we reached the entrance to the road a block away, I saw the same three men, this time without their bicycle, standing around as if nothing had happened. As the pickup truck pulled up next to the men, I told the officer that these were the men that had assaulted us. The police immediately stopped the truck, and had the three men sit in the back of the truck as we headed to the police station for questioning. At the station, under better lights, I was asked if I still recognized the assailants. Just as I started to talk, all three of the suspects started shouting, denying any involvement. I remained silent as the police tried to get them to be quiet. Unable to do so, I was taken to another room where I gave my full statement, identifying two of the three as the assailants. The third suspect was released, while the other two were taken into custody for further investigation. By 1:00 am I was getting tired, so I mentioned to the officer that I must return to the hospital to get some sleep. He asked me to bring in my daughter for a statement the following day. On returning to the hospital, the security guard mentioned that he had seen the whole event, and had clearly recognized one of the men in the car lights. He offered to come along with us the next day to make a statement also.

After breakfast the next morning, the security guard, Katie, and myself took a taxi to the police station where statements were taken from both Katie and the security guard. The Asst. Superintendent of Police arranged a line-up (ID Parade) that evening so Katie and the security guard could identify the men. Here in Guyana there is no glass between you and the suspects. Not only must you face them, but must step forward and touch the person you identify. As you can imagine, it was quite a terrifying moment for Katie to face 10 men and then step up and touch the person she recognized. I was praying for her the whole time while waiting outside. Katie was able to identify one of the men, but not the second. The security guard also was unable to identify the man he had seen. Then I was called forward as the missing man was brought forward. Evidently he had refused to be in the lineup, and had preferred a direct confrontation face-to-face with his accusers. That is why Katie or the guard couldn't identify him in the group. When he was brought forward, I was asked to describe the events directly to the man, which I did. I stated that I had seen him many times on the street, and had recognized him as the one who had held and struck my daughter. The security guard confirmed my identification. Both Katie and I were asked to sign two more statements regarding the identification process. Katie was having trouble understanding the English of the policeman as he wrote out the last statement, and in her stress she broke down and started crying, saying that she just wanted to leave. However, I began translating into Spanish for her, and after a few minutes she regained her composure and finished the statement, and signed it. I can imagine the stress it must have been for her.

When we finished we went to a juice shop where we all thankfully collapsed into chairs, and quietly regained some energy drinking plenty of pineapple and local cherry juice. A small snack of macaroni and cheese finished off the evening and we all went home. Katie, having disciplined herself to live on a small budget, didn't want me to spend the money on the drink, but I reminded her that even Elijah had to eat and drink to regain his strength after a particularly stressful day. With that encouragement she participated with pleasure.

Unlike times when I used to purchase food with my own salary, I am now acutely aware that were it not for God's gracious care and provision, we would be completely unable to purchase our own provisions. Giving thanks to God during each meal has become less routine and more meaningful as we actually receive all our needs directly from His hand. Again, I emphasize what a privilege it has been to experience God's promises firsthand, and learn to depend totally on Him every day.

Back to the judicial process, I understand that within a couple of days the accused assailants will be standing trial. The government itself provides the prosecution and brings the evidence to court. Should the men decide to engage lawyers, then we might be asked to appear again in court, otherwise our participation is finished. I am planning on keeping tabs on the case to see what happens. Should the men end up in prison, the expected term would probably be between 6-18 months. If this is the case, it has been mentioned that I might face some reprisals from the family. However, I believe that each threat is really an opportunity, so am planning to make regular visits to the prison, accompanied by Bro. Winston James, my close friend, and Director of Education for the Conference. Please remember these two men in your prayers, asking God to use this opportunity to reach into their darkness with his light and love. Like the song I sang with Katie in church the following Sabbath (accompanied by my cousin Heidi Heisey on her new tape), I pray their song might also someday be:

In my darkness Jesus found me
Touched my eyes and made me see
Ropes and chains that long had bound me
Gave me life and liberty

(Chorus)
Oh glorious love of Christ, my Lord Divine
That made Him stoop to save a soul like mine
Throughout my days, and then in Heaven above
My song they'll silence never
I'll worship Him forever
And praise Him for his glorious love

Oh amazing truth to ponder
He whom angel hosts attend
Lord of Heaven, God's Son, what wonder
He became the sinner's friend

Thankfully yours,

David Gates

PS. Several weeks later, one of the assailants was sentenced to 1 year and the second to 10 months in prison.

You may write to David at: gates@andrews.edu

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Last Updated: June 22, 1997