We ended our report with Thuto, 18, being rearrested a mere day after his first arrest.

First, the background to the rearrest: Arrested based on accusations that his clothing resembled that of a criminal who attacked a nearby farm, Thuto, suffered police brutality during his arrest. The next day, he, his mother, and friends visited the local police precinct to file charges of assault against the arresting officers, who punched and kicked him.

A police officer explained to Thuto and his mother that should they go ahead with charging the officers, Thuto would be rearrested. In this country, whether it’s the power of the state or powers on the street, the unspoken understanding all too often is that might makes right.

Thankfully, we know Who truly rules. “…The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer…” 2 Samuel 22: 2-3.

His mother would not be intimidated and went ahead with the charges! And the police kept their promise, and rearrested Thuto.

The new charges apparently relate to damage to property and intimidation.

While incarcerated and alone in the cell, a police officer took a photo of Thuto, through the prison bars, then disappeared. He later returned with a woman who looked at Thuto and said that he was the thug who threatened her with a panga – a large heavy knife like a machete.

So much for a police lineup.

After his court appearance, Thuto was released and told to reappear April 4.

Thuto gives his testimony to his Bible study friends.

Considering these circumstances, we had Thuto undergo a polygraph test. The tester has 25 years of polygraphing and police investigations experience. He worked for the South African Police Force and was a detective in an elite unit.

He has solved many different crimes, including high profile murders, armed robberies and crimes against children and the elderly.

The polygrapher concluded that there was no way that Thuto could have been involved in the crimes he is being charged with – we await his official report!

Thuto is smiling with an expression that reflects his clear conscience. Thankfully, Thuto doesn’t need to prove his innocence. His accusers must prove him guilty.

We’ve appointed a criminal lawyer to appear with him on April 4. Please be in prayer for him.

On a Sunday afternoon while Olga, our ministry administrator, was catching up on some needed sleep a thug trespassed on the property, entered her bedroom, and stole a suitcase of goods from her bed.

Olga had just returned from training (to increase production of vegetables in our Project Joseph feeding ministry for the poor), with the Farming God’s Way Ministry, 470 miles from Cape Town. She returned exhausted having had to fight off illness during the course.

Olga loves serving the Lord in our Project Joseph vegetable gardens.

The suspected thief was caught and arrested but unfortunately none of Olga’s goods were recovered.

A wise Christian friend and leader put it this way: “Olga can praise God that once again the enemy was not able to take anything from her that is eternal. He has not taken her life, or her hope and promise of an eternal home that is so much better and so much more fabulous than all the thoughts of security, or possessions like laptops and clothes.

“She really in a sense won this situation because our Father protected her from physical harm. Now she has the choice to decide if the enemy gets to mess with her mental, emotional, and spiritual life!”

Despite these attacks, Olga and Thuto, have deliberately chosen to trust the Lord:

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1

God’s promises are mind-blowing, “I have said these things to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

How would you respond in these circumstances?

We have a worldly justice system that we are subject to—which Thuto and Olga find themselves thrust into, albeit in different ways—and clearly that system in South Africa remains very much in want. But ultimately these two young Christians are resting in God’s hands:

“Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.’” Romans 12:19