Angel on Board
By Julie clayburn
The brown muddy waters of the Ucayali River in Peru swirled around the Auxiliadora II, a mission boat, as it slowly worked its way against the current. Two cousins, Joanna, 18, and Naomi, 14, stood at the front of the boat, watching with wide eyes the unfamiliar scenery creep by them. “Oh, look! Did you see that?!” exclaimed Joanna. “I think I just saw a freshwater dolphin!”
Naomi smiled. “Isn’t this experience just amazing? There are so many things to see! Did you notice that dugout canoe loaded down with bananas that passed us just a little while ago? I’m surprised at how much fit in that little boat!”
Joanna and Naomi were traveling with their Aunt Jessica and Uncle Guillermo and their cousins up the winding Ucayali River to bring medical attention to the remote villages scattered along its bank. The people who lived along the river were a long way from hospitals. The mission boat began to turn toward a small village somewhat hidden by the dense jungle. “This must be our first stop. Let’s go see if we can help Aunt Jessica organize the medicines,” suggested Joanna.
After helping her organize and carry all the medical supplies into the village, they set up the temporary clinic under some mango trees. The people crowded around, curiously watching their every move. In the evening after the clinic was over, they held a children’s event during which they sang songs, told Bible stories, and played some games. Before they realized it, the time had come to travel to the next village.
That night the girls were tired and ready to lie down on their bunk beds. Their room was at the back of the boat with their little cousins. After saying their prayers, they crawled under their mosquito nets and fell fast asleep.
The days quickly flew by as the little group traveled from one village to the next, helping wherever they could. Before they realized it, the time had come to return to the mission base. They stopped at a certain village on their return trip for the night. After having a short meeting with the villagers, the tired group went to bed.
A Rude Awakening
Naomi slept fitfully until she heard her aunt’s voice saying, “I think they have a gun!” At once Naomi was wide awake. What was happening? Aunt Jessica answered the question. “Children, we are about to be robbed. There are men on the boat right now. Don’t be afraid; God will take care of us. In fact, let’s pray right now.”
Uncle Guillermo and Aunt Jessica knelt and prayed a short but earnest prayer. Almost as soon as they were through, two armed men entered the room. One of the men began questioning Aunt Jessica. They wanted to know who was in the room. After she told them, they ordered her and Uncle Guillermo out of the room. Then they began to systematically go through all the belongings that were stored in makeshift dressers and duffel bags. Naomi and Joanna sat quietly on their bunks. Their little cousins huddled on the bottom bed beneath Joanna’s bunk. One of the men came over to Naomi’s bunk. “Where do you keep your guns?” he asked in Spanish. Naomi shook her head. “I don’t understand you,” she replied.
The robber lifted a gun and shone his flashlight on it. “Do you have one of these on this boat?” he asked again. Naomi answered quickly, “No, we don’t have any guns on this boat.”
The man turned away, and Naomi glanced across the small room at Joanna’s bunk. I wonder how she is doing, Naomi thought to herself. From the dim light in the room, Naomi could see Joanna sitting quietly in her bed. Dear Jesus, please be with us now. Help us—we are in a lot of danger, Naomi prayed silently. At once peace and reassurance flooded over her, and she knew that whatever happened, Jesus was in control.
Once again the man came over to the bunk bed. “Where is all your money?” he asked.
Naomi thought hard. She tried to remember where the money was kept, but her mind was blank. “I don’t know.” The man walked away again. That was strange, Naomi thought. I know that Uncle Guillermo just showed me where the money was hidden in case of an emergency. But for the life of me, I can’t remember right now. Thank You, Jesus, for taking that from me so I wouldn’t be tempted to tell a lie!
The men continued to rummage through their belongings, gathering up cameras, watches, and all the electronics they could find. After what seemed a long time to the girls, the two men left the room and rejoined the rest of their band as they transferred all their loot to their small boat.
The girls stayed in their bunks until Aunt Jessica came into the room. “It’s OK; they are gone now. Why don’t you all come into the big room where we can talk?” The children slid from their beds and followed their aunt into the main room. “First let’s pray and thank Jesus for keeping us all from harm.” They all joined hands in a circle, and each offered up a short prayer of thanks.
After prayer Naomi looked around the room. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Why didn’t they take that generator? It’s something they would have been able to sell for a good price!”
Aunt Jessica smiled. “They tried to take it several times, but each time they got ‘distracted’ by something and put it down! They also tried to take the television that we use to show Bible videos to the villagers, but for some reason they couldn’t fit it out the door! I’m sure God’s angels were here keeping watch and protecting us.”
Joanna smiled. “Yes! God’s angels were here! I saw two of them!”
“What? Where? When?” Naomi exclaimed.
“While the two robbers were in the room with us, I saw two angels. One was standing at the foot of my bed, and the other was standing at the foot of your bed! They were very bright, so bright I couldn’t see their faces very well, but their brightness didn’t illuminate the room. They had their wings spread over us as a barrier from the robbers. After I saw them, I wasn’t afraid anymore. I knew that God was in control.”
Naomi’s eyes filled with tears of thankfulness. “God is so good to us! I will always remember this. God does send His angels to watch over His children. And He does cover us with His wings to protect us! Praise His holy name!”
Naomi’s story is a wonderful reminder that no matter what difficult circumstances or dangers you find yourself in, God sends His angels to be with you. “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).
Julie Clayburn is the president of Your Story Hour based in Berrien Springs, Michigan, a ministry that produces family-friendly radio dramas based on the Bible, historical heroes, and true-to-life adventures. This story also appeared in Adventist Review, February 2026.