Our Stories
When there is no Justice, or so it seems.
By Debbie Hancock | posted 06/12/2008
"Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet." (Ephesians 6:13, The Message)
We live in a world gone mad. That's what I'm thinking this week.
I am writing this as a thankful and grateful citizen of the Kingdom of God. (With occasional crying spells and obsessive thoughts about a trial I recently served as a juror.)
More than before I stand because of the sturdy belt of Truth that surrounds me. God's Righteousness covers me as full body armor. I am fully prepared because I put on shoes of Peace that comes from the Good News. Faith is my shield to stop the fiery arrows that are aimed at me by Satan. With Salvation as my helmet my head and mind are protected. I take up the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. I pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Being alert and always praying for all the saints.
These scriptures (Ephesians 6:13-18, The Message) have helped me these last few weeks. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. I heard and saw things that are so different from the world I live in as a middle class, white, American woman who lives on the Eastside. I served as a juror on the Naveed Haq murder trial that ended last Wednesday June 6, 2008. He is accused of kidnapping a young woman, Kelsey Burkem, to gain entry to the Jewish Federation of Seattle on July 28, 2006. He admits he killed Pam Waechter and shot and wounded five other women; Layla Bush, Carol Goldman, Cheryl Stumbo, Dayna Klein and Christina Rexroad. His guilty plea was not accepted by the court because he has a long history of mental illness; so there was a trial. We twelve Jurors could not agree on 14 of the 15 charges filed against him so there was a mistrial.
I have been traumatized by this experience. And I believe there are three parts to the trauma. The evidence I saw, the testimony I heard, and the eight days of deliberations.
I heard testimony and saw evidence for five and a half weeks. My mind heard inconsistencies in the testimony and helped me form opinion and shape the story of what I believe happened on that horrible, tragic day. I am just now seeing the inconsistencies clearly. I asked my counselor about that because it seemed weird to me. She assured me that this is how we process things when we are traumatized. The inconsistencies are true to the story that was painted for me in my mind. I thank God for that. My mind is protected.
Before the Trial started we were fortunate to have Andy Larson come to Creekside and speak about his ministry to Muslims. Soon after I was made aware of an open house at the Eastside Islamic Center in Bellevue so I went. They held it because they "want to be good neighbors." I am so glad I went because I learned about some of the customs. I even learned what a Khutbah is. It is a Muslim sermon. I needed to know that for the trial I would be hearing because Naveed Haq was raised Muslim.
I learned that Naveed became a Christian four years ago. He stated that he was drawn to Christ by "love he had never known before." He was baptized and attended a Church in the Tri-Cities. He later wrote a Khutbah for his parents Mosque about his battles with mental illness. He shared that he read in the Bible about demons and found his story there. He wrote that his demons were being controlled by drugs and counseling. He encouraged the mentally ill to seek the help they need and not be ashamed.
My heart breaks for the victims of this violent crime and their families. My heart is also broken for the Haq family who have been living a nightmare for 12 years since Naveed was first diagnosed as Schizoaffective with Bi-Polar features.
I love The Message translation of the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13):
Our Father in heaven,
Reveal who you are.
Set the world right;
Do what's best— as above, so below.
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You're in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You're ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.
I am left with more questions than answers about all these things that have come into my world. I submit them all to the one who knows, our sovereign Father in Heaven. Whose Kingdom is near for all who believe, even Naveed.
Can I ask you to pray for these women and their families? They are the ones who are still waiting for Justice and only beginning to heal: Layla Bush, Carol Goldman, Cheryl Stumbo, Dayna Klein and Christina Rexroad.
Debbie
To respond to this message, email Debbie at djh_is@truthrelationshippurpose.com.
