By: Charlotte Van Steenbergen ©2007
A chance meeting with
a young boy and his bravery
in the concentration camp.
Witnessed on a daily basis
for some three plus years
impacted many of us
enduring extreme hardship
systematic starvation
and daily punishments
inflicted by the guards
for all kinds of infractions.
He remained such a source
of joy for his Mama and others
with his upbeat personality
always smiling and whistling
no matter what.
Rumors had it
he has no father
although he himself claimed
God as his heavenly Father.
Being the King’s son
refusing the ritual of bowing
our Japanese captors
insisted on and demanded.
This young boy
was most assuredly
doomed for more hardship
then any of us.
Thus began the daily
beatings and tortures
trying to break him
after every refusal.
But always he came back
seemingly fine, in good spirits
and with incredible grace
though his eyes betrayed
the pain he’d suffered.
Until the day close to the end
of our imprisonment
an announcement came
for all to assemble
in the courtyard
to witness his execution.
Row upon row of women
and children gathered
bowing to their captors
and were told this was a lesson—
then the order to fire.
Upon the young boy was given
and the command
for us to watch.
Several bullets hit his body
yet standing he remained
as if someone was
holding him up.
His Mama and others pleaded
for him to bow
but to no avail.
The soldiers
shot his kneecaps
and down he went
willing himself to keep
his head up
with pain and sadness
mirrored in his eyes
for his captors
he finally succumbed.
Falling to the ground
joy and peace
bathed his face.
As his soul left
the crumpled, bullet
riddled body
rushing to meet the
outstretched arms
of his heavenly father.
Almost immediately
after darkness despair
shock and unbelief
settled around us.
Instantaneously flooding
came a light of pure mercy
piercing the hearts
of many
still standing awestricken
by this miraculous gift
this young boy left
to ponder the meaning
of such uncompromising faith.
For all to either
accept or reject
God’s wondrous sacrificial
gift of the CROSS!!!