Divine Intervention from God
By Eris
I was a young man, 34 years old, married to a beautiful lady and now a baby boy to love. We had a small house to live in, a church to belong to, and I had a good paying job as an assistant to an accountant. I felt like I had it all while living in urban Caracas, Venezuela. One day, my old Mitsubishi Lancer was in the shop for maintenance, so I was wearily walking home from work. I was thinking of my wife, baby son and what lunch might be. Suddenly, an older man pushed me against the mall’s ramp. He yelled, “You killed my son! It’s you. You killed him!” In shock, I looked in his anguished face and saw his angry eyes. I replied softly, “It wasn’t me. You are confused. I love God and I cannot kill. I did not kill anyone.” The criminal was very aggressive. He kept his arms out, pushing and grabbing and breathing heavily. “It’s not me. I did not kill anyone.” I repeated. The man grabbed both of my cell phones and cash from my pants pocket. “You killed my son so I must kill you.” He repeated it several times. Finally, he began to really listen to me, and he noticed my fearful eyes. His breathing was slowing down too. “It wasn’t me. I love God and I can never kill anyone.” I repeated. After a long, tension-filled time, I was able to persuade him that he was making a mistake with me. I promised forgiveness. Finally, he gave me back my phones and my cash. He walked away. I picked myself up, said some more prayers thanking God, and continued walking home. To this day, I now appreciate more my life. My family has grown, now I have 3 lovely children with my wife! I pray every day for safety, my Christian family and for humanity. I’m good friends with my Priest and he helped me a lot as I adjusted to life in Appleton, Wisconsin. My life and my family’s life could have changed because of this incident. I could have lost my life, all due to mistaken identity. Today, I do not underestimate any person because of this event. Rather I try to make it a learning experience in my life. God is divine. He is my protector.
"I'm Not the One"
Song by Kurt Gunn
You can also find all the Faces of Literacy – Voices from Our Community songs on Flipside, Appleton Public Library’s local music streaming platform.
Go to flipside.apl.org and search “Faces of Literacy”
to stream this song on your computer or mobile device.
Song Artist Statement – I'm Not the One
It was an honor to participate in this project. My student’s story was a challenging one. I tried to paint a picture that could relate to all listeners, while still being very true to the story. It was a pleasure meeting Eris and hearing him tell his story.
About the song artist – Kurt Gunn
Kurt Gunn, a singer-songwriter from Wisconsin, may not chase the spotlight, but his music speaks volumes. With eight solo albums and recognition from the Wisconsin Area Music Industry—including 2020 Singer/Songwriter of the Year and nominations for Album and Male Vocalist of the Year—Gunn has steadily built a devoted fan base. Known for his skillful guitar work, poetic lyrics, and emotionally resonant songwriting, he captivates audiences whether performing solo or with a rotating cast of talented musicians. Gunn seamlessly blends various musical styles to suit his story-driven songs, bringing both depth and humor—often within the same track. His ability to connect with listeners in an authentic and moving way continues to earn him growing attention in the Fox Valley and beyond.
About the Project
Faces of Literacy – Voices from Our Community celebrates the cultural fabric that makes up the Fox Valley. Through a musical, storytelling-based journey, viewers can experience directly from those whose lives have been transformed by volunteer-powered literacy services at Fox Valley Literacy.
The 2025 Voices from Our Community project is comprised of original songs written by familiar Mile of Music artists inspired by the moving stories of courage and determination written by individuals living and working in our community. It’s a powerful reminder of how the skills and confidence gained through literacy can open doors to greater opportunities, a more fulfilling life, and a stronger community.
We Thank Our Project Sponsors and Partners!
About Fox Valley Literacy
Did you know that one in seven Wisconsin adults struggles with low literacy? Literacy is the key to personal and community growth. When people’s literacy improves, their opportunities expand, and communities become stronger.
Fox Valley Literacy provides free adult education in English, General Ed, Civics & Citizenship, and Individual Projects. We rely on volunteers and donors to make these programs possible, and we’re a proud member of Wisconsin Literacy, serving the Fox Valley region.
Our services are FREE to all adult learners who seek help! We rely on the support of VOLUNTEERS and DONORS and are 100% privately funded and receive no government help. LOCAL COMMUNITY DONORS are critical to the students we serve.
