The missionary and the misfires

British missionary Duncan Dyason has revealed how he stayed calm when a gangster shoved a gun at him and snarled: “I’m going to kill you!”

But in one of the most dramatic moments of his 30-plus years serving Guatemala’s street children, Duncan answered with astonishing calm: “If you are going to kill me, I would like one minute of your time.”

That minute changed everything. Instead of running, Duncan told the armed thug how an encounter with God had turned his own broken life around – filling him with a peace, hope and love he had never known.

He explained that was why he had come to Guatemala City: to share the good news of Jesus with children trapped in poverty, violence, exploitation and abuse.

The gunman softened. Then came the shock confession. Three times, he said, he had already tried to shoot Duncan – but the weapon had refused to fire.

“Now I know why my gun failed,” he admitted. “It is because God is with you.”

Duncan later linked the terrifying encounter to a prophecy he had received from a stranger – that he was not to fear, because God was with him and would protect him.

It was a long way from Duncan’s own desperate turning point.

At 21, lost, lonely and without purpose, he was preparing to take his own life when he cried out: “God, if you are there, help me!”

He explained that God answered, leading him to Tunbridge Wells, Kent, where he found work, a place to live and, eventually, faith.

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