Grave Situation
Oil on canvas 4' x 5'
The following paraphrase is based on the details of the testimony recorded on pages 118-119 of Jesus Freaks: Martyrs.
Living in communist Cambodia in the 1970's, it is not known how Haim heard of Jesus Christ and came to address Him as Savior. It is only noted that at one point, he and his believing wife and children were singled out and arrested for their faith. They were considered by the communists to be "bad blood", and "enemies of the glorious revolution." In the interest of communism, Haim and his family were sentenced to be executed.
After their arrest, the young family spent the night tied together on the forest floor, comforting each other quietly as they awaited their last sunrise. When the surrounding foliage was roused by the morning light, the family was untied and forced to clear a small area and dig a grave large enough to hold them all. Upon completion of the digging, they were to be shot by the waiting communist soldiers. Once the preparations for the execution were complete, Haim asked his executioners for a moment for the family to pray together one last time. His request was granted; parents and children knelt together and held hands near the open grave, pouring out their hearts to God. When he finished praying, Haim rose up on his knees and addressed the soldiers surrounding them. One last time, he shared his faith, urging them also to embrace Christ as their Savior. Suddenly, as Haim was speaking, the youngest of his sons jumped up and ran, quickly disappearing into the thick forest. Caught off guard by the unexpected action, the soldiers turned to hunt the boy down. But Haim, surprisingly calm in the middle of such intensity, stopped the soldiers with a request that he instead be allowed to call the boy back. As the family remained on their knees, Haim's voice, confident and compassionate, rang through the forest: "Think my son," he shouted: "Can stealing a few more days of life as a fugitive in the forest compare to joining your family around this grave? Soon we will be free forever in paradise!" For a moment, a tense silence was the forest's only response to Haim's plea; then, weeping, the child returned to his fathers embrace. Turning then the the stunned soldiers, Haim simply said: "Now, we are ready to go!" Moved as they were by all that had just taken place, none of the soldiers present was willing to kill the family. Instead they all waited for another detachment of soldiers to come and carry out the execution. |
Peculiar Graces: Grave Situation. Oh the dear graces of deep and true family unit in unbreakable oneness and stemming from the fruit of eternal love in knowing God through Christ in Holy Spirit together!