(Photo courtesy The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)
Colombia (VOMC) — Pabel, a 33-year-old evangelist of the Colombia Para Cristo ministry and an outreach partner of The Voice of the Martyrs Canada, mysteriously disappeared last month.
Eight days after his disappearance in late November, Pabel’s body was located in the mountains of the Paez Indian Territory. The two murderers responsible for his death confessed and are in Indian custody.
In her grief over the tragic loss of Pabel, his widowed wife is responding through God’s grace, which in itself is a very powerful testimony.
Kelly was granted permission to confront her husband’s murderers as she had requested. She explained to the young men that although Pabel had always wanted to be with the Lord, the crime they committed had also caused serious harm to her family. She has been left without a provider, and her two young children no longer have their father.
As a Christian, this grieving widow willingly forgave the men responsible for her tremendous loss, indicating that she would also ask God to forgive them.
“Pabel lived and died for the cause of Jesus Christ,” Kelly explained during a recent conversation with a VOMC ministry contact. “Life goes on,” she says with heartfelt emotion. “And here I am with the flag to continue on with the work. Pabel never preached the Gospel to make friends but to save souls in the midst of such a place.”
Her husband, Pabel, was one of the VOMC ministry team’s dearest friends. He will be remembered as a valiant evangelist who gave his life for the cause of Christ.
“While we don’t fully understand why Pabel’s productive life was not spared, we can be sure that God will keep His promises to now provide comfort and care for this young widow and her two children,” wrote VOMC. “Please join us in upholding Pabel’s recently-widowed wife, Kelly, and their little ones in prayer, asking the Lord to surround them with His love and comforting presence as they work through the shock of their recent loss. May ALL things–even this tragic situation–work together for good in their lives (Romans 8:28) and also in the lives of many others there in Colombia, so that Pabel’s desire to save souls is fully realized.”
May the Lord’s presence be ever more real to Kelly as her husband is now with Him. It is a blessing that she can forgive…..by the grace of God.
May the Lord also become precious to her two little ones as they come to years of understanding. I pray for a deep peace for Kelly over these Christmas days and in the New Year
Saloma
in your grieve, I thank God for the grace to forgive. I pray that this forgiveness will give birth to two new believers. I also know the Lord will comfort you all and provide for all of you in Jesus’ name
Dear Kelly,
Thank you so much for your commitment to forgive your husband’s murderers and to continue in your speaking out for Jesus. Bless you and I will pray for you and your children daily.
Be anxious for nothing, but in all things, with prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your request be known to God, and the peace of God that surpasses understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4: 6,7