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  Testimony: A Story of Forgiveness By Susan Aminia Chajes is a missionary. A Journey of Forgiveness When I was younger, I believed forgiveness was simple—just a matter of saying “sorry.” As I matured, I realized that forgiveness is far more complex—a journey best walked with Christ. Learning this was not easy. A Painful Experience I once had a friend who was like family. However, she spread a false rumor about me, shattering our bond and my reputation. Losing my closest friend was devastating and left me in immense pain. A Prison of Pain For three years, I clung to the hope of an apology that never came. Instead, I found myself trapped in bitterness, unable to move past the hurt. Yet, each time I prayed the Lord’s Prayer, the words “forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us” convicted me. I began asking God to help me forgive because I couldn’t do it on my own. The Gift of Forgiveness One day, I reached out to my former friend in an attempt to reconcile. Altho...

Sana was a diligent high school student known for her kindness and top-notch grades. She had big dreams of becoming a doctor and worked hard to achieve them. Her life was relatively smooth until a boy named Rohan transferred to her class. Rohan, known for his rebellious streak, was the polar opposite of Sana—carefree, mischievous, and often disruptive. From the first day, Rohan seemed to single Sana out. He would tease her during class, mock her serious attitude, and once even defaced a project she had spent weeks preparing. It wasn’t long before Sana’s confidence began to waver. She started questioning why someone would go out of their way to hurt her. One day, Rohan took things too far. During a group activity, he made an embarrassing joke about her family’s financial struggles, something he had overheard in passing. The comment hit Sana hard, and for the first time, she broke down in front of her classmates. The room went silent. Even Rohan looked uncomfortable. Sana didn’t return...

Maria stood at the edge of the driveway, gripping her suitcase tightly. The crisp autumn air carried the faint smell of burning leaves, a smell that always reminded her of home. But home had become a complicated word. For years, Maria’s relationship with her mother, Elena, had been strained. Elena had been a stern, demanding parent. She always seemed to find fault with Maria—her grades, her friends, her career choices. Every conversation felt like a battle, and by the time Maria was in her twenties, she had grown tired of fighting. She left their small town for the city, vowing to create a life where her mother’s criticism couldn’t reach her. For five years, Maria stayed away. Phone calls were infrequent and polite, filled with updates on the weather or work. But then came the message. A neighbor had called to say that Elena had fallen ill. A stroke had left her partially paralyzed and unable to speak clearly. Maria’s first instinct was guilt—she hadn’t even known her mother was sick...

Mary Johnson-Roy lost her only son, Laramiun Lamont Byrd, in a tragic incident on February 12, 1993. Here are the key details: Laramiun was 20 years old when he was killed during a dispute at a party in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The perpetrator was 16-year-old Oshea Israel, who shot Laramiun with four gunshots in a gang-related altercation Mary Johnson-Roy was deeply affected by her son's death and initially felt intense anger and hatred towards Oshea Israel. She described her feelings as a "root of bitterness" and "hatred" that drove many people away from her Over the years, Mary struggled with her emotions but eventually found a path to forgiveness. This transformation was influenced by her Christian faith and a poem titled "Two Mothers," which imagined a conversation between the mothers of Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot. This poem helped her see the commonality of pain and the need for forgiveness In 2004, Mary decided to meet Oshea Israel in priso...

Pascale Kavanagh's story is a powerful and poignant example of survival, forgiveness, and the long-lasting impact of domestic violence. Childhood and Family Dynamics Pascale and her younger brother, who was severely autistic, endured a childhood marked by constant abuse from their mother. Despite both parents being successful physicians, their home life was deeply troubled. Pascale's mother, who had herself experienced an abusive childhood, would frequently hit the children, fling plates at them, and verbally abuse them. Their father, though well-intentioned, was often caught in the middle and was also a target of their mother's anger. Continued Abuse into Adulthood The abuse did not stop when Pascale grew older. Even when she was in college, her mother would call her weekly to berate her, criticizing her appearance, friends, academics, and social life. This emotional torment continued into Pascale's adult life, affecting her self-esteem and overall well-being. When P...

The story of Matt Swatzell is a poignant and powerful example of tragedy, forgiveness, and the formation of an unexpected friendship. The Accident On October 2, 2006, Matt Swatzell, a 20-year-old rookie firefighter and paramedic, was driving home after a 24-hour shift in Dacula, Georgia. Exhausted, he fell asleep at the wheel for just three or four seconds, which was enough time for his car to swerve across the center line and collide head-on with an approaching car. The accident resulted in the immediate death of 30-year-old June Fitzgerald, who was seven months pregnant, and her unborn child. June's 19-month-old daughter, Faith, survived but was injured. Immediate Aftermath Swatzell was devastated by the accident, feeling a deep sense of guilt and responsibility as someone whose profession was to help people in emergency situations. Erik Fitzgerald, June's husband and a Christian pastor, received the news of the accident and the loss of his wife and unborn child. Despite ...

The true forgiveness story of Didier is a powerful and inspiring example of radical forgiveness. Background Didier, a young boy from Colombia, witnessed a traumatic event when he was just 11 years old. His mother, a street vendor, was shot 38 times in front of him. This horrific incident led Didier down a path of hatred, revenge, and self-destruction. He turned to a life of crime, drugs, and alcohol to cope with his pain and anger. Journey to Forgiveness Didier's life took a significant turn when a Christian befriended him and introduced him to the concept of forgiveness. Despite his initial resistance, Didier began to understand the destructive nature of his hatred and the redemptive power of forgiveness. Confronting the Killer Didier discovered the identity of his mother's killer and initially planned to seek revenge. However, after his spiritual transformation, he decided to take a different path. He sought out the man who had killed his mother, not to harm him, but t...

  I recently reflected on a profound story after a conversation with a friend. His father experienced a tragic incident where he was shot by his own brother at close range. The bullet entered one side of his face and exited the other, leaving behind fragments embedded in various parts of his facial structure. Fortunately, bystanders rushed him to the hospital, and after days of battling for his life, he miraculously survived, though he lost an eye in the process. Act of Forgiveness: Part 1 Following the incident, a police investigation took place. My friend's father had every reason to ensure his brother faced severe consequences for his actions, potentially spending the rest of his life in prison. Anger consumed him initially, but he soon considered the impact on his brother's children and innocent wife. Ultimately, he chose to help facilitate a plea bargain, resulting in his brother serving just one year in jail. For the next two decades, my friend's father endured the pa...

Charlie Ryder's story is a powerful and personal journey of forgiveness, healing, and self-discovery, as shared through his experiences with an alcoholic father. Chaotic Childhood Growing up, Charlie Ryder faced a chaotic and traumatic childhood due to his father's alcoholism. His father's behavior was marked by hiding cans of beer in the house and drinking them in secret, only to repeat this cycle in the evenings by spending most of his money at the pub. Upon returning home drunk, he would verbally abuse Charlie and his family, often stealing money from Charlie's mother. These actions filled Charlie with shame and embarrassment, particularly when he caught his father in the act Emotional and Psychological Impact The mental, verbal, and emotional abuse inflicted by his father significantly impacted Charlie's mental health. He grew up with low self-esteem, a lack of confidence, and struggled with depression. The emotional frustration and trauma from his chil...

Story of Forgiveness by Lucy Amina Chaves holds a Bachelor of Divinity degree from St. Paul’s University in Limuru, Kenya and is currently pursuing an LL.B from the University of London. When I was younger, I thought forgiveness was an easy thing, if someone did something wrong all they had to do was say “sorry” and that was the end of the story. As I grew older, I began to realize that forgiveness isn’t always so simple - it is a journey, one best walked with Christ. This lesson did not come easy. A Painful Experience I once had a very dear friend who was more like a sibling than a friend to me. But one day she started a rumor about me. The rumor was not only false; it was one of the most painful things I’ve ever experienced. In one moment I lost my bosom buddy as well as my reputation. A Prison of Pain The situation lasted for about three years, and I kept hoping for an apology that wasn’t to come. As much as I felt I was the one wronged, holding on to the pain was not making me hea...

A radical group approaches the French government and tries to make an even exchange with hostages. They’ve taken hostage seven Trappist monks in Algeria and wish to exchange them for hostages the French have in their prison.  The French will not agree to this exchange and the radical group has threatened to execute the Trappist monks. Ultimately, they carry out their threat.  One of the monks had a premonition two years before the awful event that he would be killed. He wrote a letter to his mother with instructions that it should be opened only after his death. It read in part: “If it should happen one day – and it could be today – that I become a victim of the terrorism that now seems to encompass all the foreigners in Algeria…I would like, when the time comes, to have a space of clearness that would allow me to beg forgiveness of God and of my fellow human beings, and at the same time to forgive with all my heart the one who will strike me down…For this life lost, I give th...

  Story  of resilience, gratitude, and a dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others The story of Russ and Kathy Van Cleve is one of entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and a deep commitment to healthcare and community service. Background and Careers Russ and Kathy Van Cleve come from families that valued a strong work ethic. Russ began his career in banking, while Kathy started hers in investment real estate. They eventually established a successful private homebuilding and land development company in Newport Beach, California Health Challenges and Mayo Clinic In 2006, Russ faced a significant health challenge when he began experiencing troubling symptoms that no local hospital could diagnose. On the advice of his local hospital's chief of staff, he was referred to the Mayo Clinic, where he was examined by gastroenterologist Kenneth K. Wang, M.D. The diagnosis was cancer of the esophagus, but thanks to early detection and innovative treatment at Mayo Cli...

  A ripple effect of forgiveness A story of forgiveness is that of Mary Johnson and Oshea Israel, a tale of redemption and healing that transcended a tragic event. The Tragic Event In 1993, Oshea Israel, then just 16 years old, shot and killed Mary Johnson's 20-year-old son, Laramiun Byrd, in a gang-related dispute in Minneapolis. The incident was a devastating blow to Mary, who was left to grapple with the loss of her only child. The Journey to Forgiveness Years later, in 2005, Mary Johnson learned that Oshea Israel was being released from prison after serving his sentence. Instead of seeking revenge or harboring resentment, Mary felt an unexpected sense of peace and a desire to meet Oshea.  She believed that meeting him could be a step towards healing and closure.When they finally met, Mary was surprised by her own feelings. She saw a young man who was remorseful and genuinely sorry for his actions. Oshea expressed deep regret for what he had done and apologized sincerely...

Nyatuel Chuol Thok Loklok was born in 1985 during the Second Sudanese Civil War. He was eleven years old when he became a child soldier. Now, he is a peacekeeper.verse from Nyatuel Chuol Thok Loklok. I was born in Nasir in 1985. At that time, South Sudan didn’t exist yet, but the south of Sudan was fighting the north. My father fought as a soldier. He was killed in 1989 in Nasir. Every day and night I heard gun shots. It was a warzone. We didn’t have access to school as children, because there was no school. As small children, we played with guns. So I adopted that as my way of life. By the time I was eleven, I had a militaristic mindset. I knew even then that if you didn’t have a gun, someone could come and take your wife away. If you didn’t have a gun, someone could take your sister away. If you didn’t have a gun, someone could take your daughter away. Everyone had a gun. So I joined the military. There were no other options. School was nonexistent and the fighting was everywhere. ...

Here’s a story of a father’s forgiveness:   Sam was a single father, raising his son, Ethan, in a close-knit neighborhood. He’d worked hard to provide a stable, loving home after Ethan’s mother passed away, filling both roles with all his heart.    Ethan was his pride and joy. As he grew into his teenage years, though, Ethan started to pull away, feeling stifled by the routines and rules his father had set.   Ethan fell in with a new group of friends who introduced him to a world of parties and risky behavior.  He began lying to his father, sneaking out, and eventually stealing small amounts of money to fund his outings. The lies grew bigger until one night, Sam discovered that his son had taken a significant sum from his savings.   When Sam confronted him, Ethan exploded with anger, accusing his father of trying to control him and blaming him for never understanding his need for freedom.  In a fit of rage, Ethan left home, saying he’d never come ba...