Families of Beheaded Indonesian Girls Forgive Killers

From CBN.com – POSO, Indonesia - The three families who suffered the loss of their young daughters when they were brutally murdered, are still in shock and grief, not only because they were too young to die -- Alfita was 19, Teressia was 18, and Yarni was 15 -- but because of the horrible way they were murdered.

Their bodies were found headless in a coconut field, while their heads were found in different parts of Poso, wrapped in black plastic bags.

[…] "They must have offended the Muslim extremists because in this season of Ramadan, there should be no school, but the Christian school is open,” explained Nursalem.

Moreover, the three victims were very active Christian leaders in school prayer meetings and church. Pastor Mastin says the deaths of Alfita, Teressia, and Yarni are not in vain. She calls them martyrs because their deaths have brought unity to the Christian churches in Poso, and their lives encouraged them to be strong in the faith.

[…] Difficult as it is, Yarni's father and the parents of Alfita and Teressia have released forgiveness to the murderers of their daughters. They believe that it is God who will judge them.

Markus Sambuwe, the father of one of the girls, remarked," I am really angry, but the Holy Spirit touched my heart and changed me. I forgive them just as Jesus has forgiven my sins."

Several suspects have been arrested in the Christian school girl beheadings, but just a week after those brutal murders, two other Christian girls were shot by snipers.
While tensions remain high here, so far, Christians are remaining true to their faith. They are responding in a spirit of forgiveness and restraint, by turning the other cheek.

What an example these people are! I freely confess that, were I in their place, the only reason I would turn the other cheek is to get a better aim. Theirs is the attitude that grew the church from a handful of frightened losers into a large enough force to get the attention of Constantine. They don’t grovel; they don’t pretend nothing happened; they just carry on with God’s business – a form of graceful defiance.

I once heard “turning the other cheek” described as standing one’s ground without resorting to the enemy’s methods. Turning your cheek when slapped means they have to use the other hand. Pretty soon, it becomes apparent who’s in control and who’s completely lost it.

Please pray for these people – they are standing for the faith in a world of hurt.