During a JESUS film night in Liberia, a young man named Francis Dukuly rushed forward, crying and pleading with God for forgiveness. The following is Dukuly’s testimony:
“My name is Francis Dukuly. I was only 13 years old when I lost my parents during the civil war in Liberia in 1990. I watched in horror as my parents died before my eyes at the hands of a mob. In that moment, I felt a desperate urge to fight back, but I couldn’t. Eventually, I ran away from my village, Zeakin, and ended up joining a group that led me down a dark path of evil.
I thought that embracing this evil lifestyle would bring me peace. I became involved in all kinds of wrongdoing and have continued to live this way ever since. I often hide in the bushes, avoiding towns. I work for people, especially politicians. I haven’t settled in one place; I’ve been here for more than a month.
I can hardly believe what is happening to me tonight. What I remember from watching the JESUS film is an incident where one of Jesus’ disciples cut off a soldier’s ear while they were arresting Jesus. To my astonishment, Jesus healed the soldier by putting his ear back in place. I couldn’t comprehend how he could show such mercy to those who wanted to kill him.
His words resonated with me, especially when he said, ‘The one who fights with a sword shall die by the sword.’
In that moment, I realised I had been wrong to commit all those evil acts in response to my parents’ deaths. I shouldn’t have sought vengeance against innocent people, and I am guilty of my sins.
Please pray for me. I promise to change my ways from this day forward. I could have lost my life in this process, but I believe that God wants me to serve him. I have made up my mind to work for God until my death, and I believe it is no coincidence that God brought [the JESUS film to my town]. May God bless you all.
I am genuinely happy to become a changed person. I was lost, but now God has found me. Please pray for me, and may God’s mercy and guardianship be with me as I embark on this new life with Christ.”