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Two elderly missionaries working in Kitale, Kenya were attacked with machettes and clubs earlier this week. John and Eloise Bergen came down a few months ago to work with children affected by the political violence. Together, they started a school in a refugee camp with Hope for the Nations. They plan to stay. John (70) was attacked outside his house, and Eloise (65) in her bathtub. Read the article for all the details (they are very disturbing), but in short, John suffered from multiple fractures of the skull, arms, leg and knee, while Eloise was raped, tied up and beaten. After the attackers left, Eloise freed herself and found her husband in the bushes nearby.
“I wasn’t conscious of overwhelming fear I was just conscious that I must do what they told me to do and I must remain calm and have my mind about me so I would know how to cut myself free and so that I could figure out how to save my husband.” – Eloise
Some of the Bergens children and grandchildren are flying to Nairobi to convince their loved ones to return to Canada. But the couple has already forgiven their attackers.
“Despite this terrifying ordeal, she and John have no plans to return home to Canada. This crisis has given her more strength to help those in need. “When I woke up this morning, I was picturing the time will come when John and I are physically well again,” Eloise said. “It’s in both of our hearts to go to the prison and tell them about our forgiveness.”
What makes two people, brutally attacked and left for dead, forgive? Only one thing. Love. God. Jesus. I know many who would call them crazy and stupid. I don’t. I think their stories are beautiful examples of God’s love. I pray that I will have the courage to make the same sacrifices. They will definitely be in my prayers as they recover and return to work.
