Indonesia: mothers forgive their daughters' killers
Jan 22 2008
Postings >> Indonesia

The mothers of two schoolgirls beheaded in Poso have again shown forgiveness to their daughters' killers – as three extremists begin long jail sentences for their murder.

A third girl, Noviana Malewa, who suffered serious injuries in the 2005 machete attack but managed to escape with her life, says she still prays for her friends' killers.

'I pray that their hearts will be open to God, and that they would repent [of] their sins (…) and never kill again,' says Noviana. 'Some day, when I have children, I will tell them the truth about what happened. But I will tell them even more about God's grace in our lives.'

The interviews, which appeared in Christian Post, follow the conviction of three Islamist radicals for a string of brutal attacks on Christians in Central Sulawesi, including the schoolgirls' murders in October 2005 (7x7, January 8 2008).

A South Jakarta district court sentenced Rahman Kalahe to 19 years in jail, Agus Nur Muhammad to 14 years and Yudi Heryanto to 10 years, for beheading Theresia Morangke and Yarni Sambue, both 15, and 17-year-old Alfita Poliwo. Three other extremists were also convicted of the murders last year (7x7, April 3 2007). The murdered girls' parents met with these militants and forgave them publicly in 2006.

Alfita's mother has recently spoken movingly about her battle with grief: 'My anger was strong but God's peace and love were stronger. And so I let go of my right for revenge.'

Yarni's mother has also struggled hugely – but she too has broken through. 'If my Lord can forgive those who put Him up on that cross, then I surely can forgive the men who killed my daughter because I want to be like Jesus,' she said.

• Thank God for the powerful witness of Noviana and these two mothers. Pray that their testimony would play a part in bringing peace to Central Sulawesi.
• Pray, with Noviana, for the men convicted of the schoolgirls' murders.