A KNOW BUDDY WHO FACES DEATH DAILY

Image by 4WardEver UK via FlickrNext Wednesday September 21 is not only the first day of Fall, but the last day that Troy Davis may see the light of day. Troy was convicted of killing police officer, Mark MacPhail over twenty years ago. Troy's case is significant in that 7 out of 9 witnesses who testified in the trial in 1991 have recanted their testimony, yet a year ago, the Supreme court ruled that Troy had failed to prove his innocence and unless a miracle is in the cards for Troy, he will be executed on Wednesday Sept. 21, 2011 at midnight.

This case caught my eye because of my story in ONE MORE SERVING about Bill Pelke. Bill has fought to abolish the death penalty most of his adult life. An ordinary man who faced his own demons when he was unable to shake off the horrific murder of his grandmother at the hands of a 14 year old girl, Bill recognized the importance of forgiveness, justice and leaving a legacy of living a purposeful life. Bill's involvement in creating The Journey of Hope cost him relationships with some friends and loved ones but also took him to venues he never planned for or expected when he chose to contact the 14 year old who was on death row for killing his grandmother. I can remember talking with Bill, who lives in Alaska about his experience and what has happened to his life since that fateful day when he learned his grandmother lost her life. 


Bill recently celebrated a birthday and instead of gifts asked for contributions to the non-profit Journey of Hope whose mission has been to rally for the abatement of the death penalty and restorative justice. He fights his battle with the support of family members of individuals whose lives were also taken by violence. It is typical to expect people to want vengeance but many individuals who have had their lives turned upside down by a violent act realize closure often comes only when one can have forgiveness in his or her heart. I cannot tell you how moved I was by Bill's story only to discover how many others had incredible experiences yet are working to making a personal and purposeful legacy as a result of some unspeakable act against a family member. 
 Bill will be going to Uganda in a few weeks to help a man who spent 20 years in a Uganda prison for a murder that did not happen build his dream. You can learn more about that project at DREAM WORLD


Forgiveness often seems difficult to do even when it just involves pardoning a significantly smaller act. How many times have you said, "I will never forgive him/her"?  We are told in the Bible not to judge others or we will be judged and to forgive as we expect to be forgiven (Luke 6:37-38) I know I have been guilty of withholding pardon because I could choose whether to forgive or not and yet it makes me so ashamed to realize that Christ died on the cross for sins He never committed for me and yet forgave me. Who am I that I could not do even the same?


Have you experienced forgiveness when you never thought you deserved it? Are you withholding pardon from someone who needs to know you truly forgive them? Bill's story is one that will leave you wondering if you could ever make your life's mission one as committed as he chose. Visit Bill at JOURNEY OF HOPE and offer him a belated Happy Birthday and your thoughts and prayers.  Tell him I sent you. I know he would appreciate it.