Dr. Terrie Lillie

My family and I returned circa1981 from our first term as church planters in Taiwan. I received a scholarship from our mission organization (Overseas Missionary Fellowship) to the School of World Mission at Fuller Theological Seminary.  One evening we were driving to where the international students lived. I turned left at an intersection and a car rammed into our right rear fender. I did not see the headlights of their car as I turned left. My wife, Kathy also did not see their headlights. I got out and went to the back of my car, positing myself at the center touching the trunk.

Three males got out their car and surrounded me. One on my left, one on my right, and one in front of me. I never felt threatened in any way. All I wanted to do was to make amends for the damage that I caused to their car.  I said to them, “I’m sorry. It is my fault; I will take care of this.” They never said a word. They moved very little and very slowly towards me.  I kept repeating that it was my fault, and I will take care of the damage to their car. I wasn’t scared at all.

After a short period of the three men ran back to their car and took off quickly. I was a bit confused. Why did they run away. I looked to my left and saw a tall, muscular black man standing there. I looked at him a bit quizzically. Very calmly he said, “I have been watching you and those three men. They were going to stab you and rob you.” I was stunned by his words. I do not remember talking to him, but I believe I asked him for his name and what he did. The only thing I remember was that he said he worked for the Pasadena police force.

I got back in the car grateful that I wasn’t stabbed and robbed and that no harm came to my family. I told Kathy all that happened and went to the international students gathering.

I kept thinking about what had happened. The next day I called the Pasadena Police. I told the about the incident and the tall, muscular black man in their police force. They told me two things. First that there was no one in their force that matched my description. Second they told me that there was a gang throughout Los Angeles that would when dark stopped their vehicle at an intersection with their headlights out. They would wait for a car to turn in front of them and then ram into them. When the car that got rammed stopped, they would get out of their car and stab and rob the person.

Who was this tall, muscular black man? I believe he was and is my personal angel.

For He will give His angels orders concerning you, To protect you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:11)