Lily C. called Pastor Monica a couple days ago and informed us yet of another tragic inciden that happened to another small business owner in a small town,Juan Diaz, nearby.
The L. family owned a convenience type of store, but was robbed at gun point recentlt. The owner of the store was tragically murdered in this robbery. The family members are going through a very difficult time right now. The owner's wife was so trumatized by witnessing this cold blood murder in their store that she has not been able to speak or show any emotions since it happened.
Her relatives learned about the Penonome church and called up Mr.and Mrs. L. for help. This couple from PCCC church went to visit the family right away with Lily and her husband.
The four of us, Pastor Monica, Helena, Lily and I went today to visit this family. I heard of murdered cases from TV, news and newspaper reports etc, but have never dealt with victims of crimes such as murder before.
I would not know what to say or do for victims of such violent crime. I was nervous and told Pastor Monica about this.
We drove to this seemingly quiet little village.
When we got to the store, we saw a police car with its logo, same as our police's logo in Toronto
" To Protect and Serve" in Spanish painted on one side of its vehicle parked in front of the store.
There were two armed police officers standing by one side of the store while some people were milling outside.
Customers, most of whom children and teenagers were standing in front of the store buying candies, snacks through the slots of a locked gate.
The store essentially was in a lockdown mode trying to protect itself from being robbed again.
We went in and met with the widow, Mrs. L. and her two teenaaged children, A., 19 and S., 17.
The widow received us and it was the sister in law who greeted us and welcome us into their home. Pastor Monica held the widow's hand and started comforting her using words from the bible while Lily and I sat and observed , dare not utter a word.
The pain and suffering were fresh and evident on the widow and the families' faces. While other family members spoke to us, the mother was numb, emotionless. While Pastor Monica tenderly comforting and encouraging her to move forward in life using words from the bible, Mrs. L. sat there completely still, not a response or word coming out from her.
We all felt her intense pain. Pastor Monica kept holding Mrs. L's hand and spoke with her for more than an hour while Helena went and talked to the two teens. Lily and I sat quietly praying and supporting this family. Finally, Pastor Monica opened her bible and asked for permission to share a scripture passage with Mrs. L. She nodded her head. Pastor Monica read out Psalm 23 to Mrs. L. and proceded to explain what it meant.
" The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He leads me rest down to rest....Even though I walked through the valley of death, I will not be afraid, for your rod and your staff comfort me..."
As soon as Mrs. L heard the explanantion of this particular passage about the Shepherd's protection, her face started to show some emotion and from that point on, she became less stiff. God's word is powerful and is healing to the wounded!
After Pastor Monica comforted the monther with Psalm 23, both Lily and I shared God's work in our lives. Helena joined us with the two children. This was the first time we heard Lily telling her story and it was moving indeed. She talked about her fears and worries about her children and the constant worry about the family's business in Penonome before she believed in Jesus. Now she and her husband have real peace in their hearts after trusting God with their worries.
Mrs. L. listened to Lily's testimony with great interest as Lily is one of the local residents and shares similar background and concerns with her. We sang hymes together and spent some time praying for Mrs.L and her family. This was the first time I saw the daughter and Mrs. L. cried since we came into the house. From what I observed, everyone was trying to be strong for each other and this time they had an opportunity to cry together as a family, an essential part of the grieving process.
After visiting this family for almost three hours, we hugged and said good bye and encouraged them to be at church this Sunday so that they can start worshipping God and building a network of support in the family of God.
It was a very touching visit and my first encounter with the victims of a very violent crime.
We will keep praying and supportinng this family.
R.T.
Juan Diaz, Panama
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