In the past week or so I have been more than impressed with the poise and confidence of this young woman. The trial has begun and she has spent three days last week on the stand testifying of her ordeal--kidnapping at knife point from her bedroom, being repeatedly raped, forced to drink and smoke, her life and the lives of her family threatened if she tried to run, having to listen to the ravings of a manipulative, controlling zealous lunatic.
In the summer of 2002 she was only 14 years old. All the posters and photos of her that were made available to the public showed a tender, sweet, refined girl. She played the harp, she roomed with her little sister, she loved her family. Nine months of searching, and worrying, and speculating about what happened to her were brought to a close with a miracle--she was alive, she was found and returned to her family.
This month she has proved once again the kind of metal she is made of as she has recalled those months of captivity but has plainly spoke of them before a federal judge, a jury and a courtroom of others who have shared her testimony in the paper. She has spoken of the fear, hurt, and terror she endured. She has recognized that the man accused in this case was not right, but he knew precisely what he was doing to her. She saw that his demands of her in the name of God and religion were merely one man's selfish and sick mind at work.
In the years between her joyous reunion with her family and this week on the witness stand, she has grown up and developed an inner strength that has helped in her healing. I can only suspect that is what it is, as I certainly haven't spoken with her. But just in seeing and hearing her via the papers and news reports, I know there is only one kind of healing that brings with it this kind of strength--and that is the healing that comes from Christ.
I wish Elizabeth well. Her notoriety, at least locally, can't be comfortable. Yet she has family and friends here and much more of her life to live. For now, she has chosen to serve God, as she knows Him, as a missionary in France where she teaches those she meets of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, the only One who can truly understand our pains, sorrows, hurts, and heartaches. She has felt His support and His love and protection. She has a rare comprehension of what that love in her life has done, and can uniquely share her feelings of Him with those she teaches. I imagine she is a powerful voice of testimony.
I think she is one of the most remarkable women I have never met. I admire her determination and poise in the face of what might make another person want to curl up and die. With continued support of her family, some luck, and a full serving of justice, her accused kidnapper will be put away for life and never have to be seen or spoken of by her again. And maybe, with the Lord's help, she can get on with her life--her way. I hope so, for her sake.
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