Redemption

So a couple of weeks ago something amazing happened.  If you look up Palau news online, you might see a story about a murder that happened a few years ago.  It was on the campus where the other SMs and I stay—in the house where the pastor lives.  A man named Justin came and killed the pastor and his wife and son, and was later caught and sent to jail.  

Well, the current pastor, Pastor Cunha, somehow got into contact with Justin and began giving him Bible studies in prison.  I don’t know exactly how it started, or how long it has been going on.  But Justin actually took a interest in the studies.  Things began to change in his life…the man who (according to the news stories) smoked crystal meth before breaking into the pastor’s house, the man who killed every member of the family except the 10-year-old daughter, the man who pled not guilty due to insanity…he began to disappear.  Justin learned about Jesus, and his life began to transform.  He was excited about being a Christian and starting over again.  

Just a couple of Sabbaths ago, on October 22, the pastor preached a sermon about forgiveness.  Then he called Justin to the front and told a short version of his journey.  Both he and Justin became a little emotional as he explained how much it meant for Justin to be here.  Then this former murderer was baptized, presented with a book and a lei, and welcomed warmly into the Koror SDA church.

I shook his hand as I left the sanctuary, telling him congratulations.

“Thank you…sister!” he said, grinning.  He seemed so happy to be a part of the family.

This is the sort of story I’ve heard before in books, but never seen in real life.  It’s really incredible to see how God can work…not only in Justin’s life, but also in the hearts of the people here, who mourned the loss of the pastor’s family, but who also forgave and accepted Justin as a new Christian instead of dwelling on the past.  Pray that Justin will keep the smile on his face and be a great witness, even while in prison, to show what God can do in the lives of all of us.