Rev Bill

You probably remember this photo from the Vietnam War. The girl in the middle is Kim Phuc. NPR has published a recent interview with her — and her journey since the photo in 1972.

Here is a potion of what she says about her journey of faith and forgiveness:

I was 9 years old but I still remember my thoughts at that moment: I would be ugly and people would treat me in a different way. My picture was taken in that moment on Road No. 1 from Saigon to Phnom Penh. After a soldier gave me some drink and poured water over my body, I lost my consciousness.

The anger inside me was like a hatred as high as a mountain. I hated my life. I hated all people who were normal because I was not normal. I really wanted to die many times.

I spent my daytime in the library to read a lot of religious books to find a purpose for my life. One of the books that I read was the Holy Bible.

In Christmas 1982, I accepted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. It was an amazing turning point in my life. God helped me to learn to forgive — the most difficult of all lessons. It didn’t happen in a day and it wasn’t easy. But I finally got it.

Forgiveness made me free from hatred. I still have many scars on my body and severe pain most days but my heart is cleansed.

If that little girl in the picture can do it, ask yourself: Can you?

Read or listen to this powerful story of faith and forgiveness here — and thanks to Rob for making me aware of this remarkable story.

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.