A LETTER FROM AN ATPI EVENT ATTENDEE...

This past week I witnessed Heaven on Earth.  I witnessed grandchildren of the offenders come together with the grandchildren of their victims.   They came together not because of politicians.  They came together not because of the idea of humanity.  They came together not because of some philosophy.  They came together not because of societal and community pressures.  They came together not because they were paid or had any kind of incentive.  They came together not because a punitive demand from a human rights court of law. Both groups offered apologies with many tears, embraced each other, forgave each other, and forged friendship that will last for eternity! The Turkish leaders at first felt apprehensive, would the Armenian leaders accept them and their apology?  The Armenians did not know what to think. Without explaining every detail of the meetings, (I wish I could), I will summarize a few key statements that I heard from both sides:

Armenians: 1. “I would have never believed that I would have witnessed something like this in my life-time.”  2. “I hated you and your people, my grandfathers even killed some of you.”  3. “We forgive you, without condition, without demand, we forgive you.”  4. “We were forgiven so much, we forgive you.”  5. “I am in total shock.”  6. “I now want to take my network to the country of Turkey, to their historical villages to meet with the villagers there.”  7. “We love you, accept you as our brothers, and embrace you.”  8.  “How can we partner with you and work together in Turkey?” 

Turks:  1. “What kind of people were we that would cause us to do such horror?” 2. “My grandfather explained that we would put our rifles on the ground, bayonets fixed towards the sky, and run the babies through in their bassinets until the river was flowing with their blood. (In Sivas)” 3. “We committed a genocide.  Please forgive us.”  4.  “As Turks we have faced some persecution, but nothing in comparison to what you as a people went through.”  5. “Because of what our forefathers did there is a curse upon our nation and our people.”  6 “Thank you for accepting us, thank you for inviting us, thank you for forgiving us.” 

At one meeting, there were over 100 Turkish speaking Armenians!  They still remembered the Turkish they had learned from their grand-parents! Our Turkish brothers were shocked. The Armenians shared their stories and offered forgiveness to them in their own tongue!   Both sides believed they were building a bridge between their two communities, both groups have feet to build on their side of the bridge and that this meeting was the beginning. 

A NOTE FROM A TURKISH PASTOR

"ATPI showed us that we are the ones to first reap incredible blessings in our lives, in our homes and families, in our churches and ministries when we take the step to reach out in reconciliation. When we even take further, bolder and deeper steps, we will reap greater blessings as we see the salvation of our peoples and even healing of our lands. Jesus came to make peace, He gave His life to do so, He commanded us to do so and we cannot simply be His followers if we are not makers of peace."

From An Armenian-American

Wow, I am truly speechless! There are no words to describe. The call to "love your neighbor......." (Turks, Kurds and Armenians) came to life, all gathered under one roof from different parts of Turkey and the world, There were many touching testimonials from Turkish, Kurdish, and Armenian leaders and lay people telling us about their journeys in the reconciliation process, all were interesting and touching. Some were asking for forgiveness from Armenians for what their forefathers had done 100 years ago. One brother in particular told us the story about the diamond ring. He resembled the diamond to the Armenians who were deported from their homeland. The ring he said, was the land, and the ring became worthless because it lost its diamond, the diamond needs to be found and returned to the ring. He was happy that these reconciliation meetings were playing a role for the return of the diamond. 

From a Turkish Leader

We are called to be peacemakers, to be healers, to walk in mercy, in justice… to be salt & light to all who have lost the taste of life & walk in the darkness of hopelessness. ATPI has & is putting all these aspects of our call into practice in the maze of a tragic relationship, helping a growing number to walk out of this dark maze into healing & hope. Personally, I believe it will touch more than just the relationships of our peoples.