An hour after dark, I set out along the well-worn path across the top of the hill. I was looking forward to my bed after a long day. Behind me were my friend Opa and her young son Shane.

As I trotted along, I suddenly heard a tone of alarm from Opa. “Keren, warning! There is a snake! Stop! Come back! SNAKE! It’s big!”

I looked around, very aware that snakes can be anywhere. Since I did not see the snake, I had no idea which direction to walk.

“Is it okay to walk directly towards you?”

“Yes,” Opa responded.

The closer I got to Opa, the more her posture relaxed. Once I was beside her, I turned and pointed my flashlight where hers was trained. A large black snake around eight feet long, its midsection still beside the path where I had been walking, lay staring at us with its head lifted a foot above the ground.

It seemed that the snake was thinking, Don’t you know, this is a multi-species trail! I am a bit offended at you trampling so close to my precious ribcage. I am accustomed to receiving a whole lot more respect than you have given.

The snake then quietly proceeded down the hill, away from the trail. Clearly, bothering us was not on its evening agenda.

As my heart rate and breathing returned to normal, I realized that this may not be the first time I have nearly stepped on a snake. My eyes are not as attuned to this type of danger as the eyes of my local friends. For that matter, my angel may be shutting the mouths of snakes and thwarting other dangers more often than I realize.

Thank you for praying for our safety and that of the other missionaries.

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