Nicolas Toma - Forgiveness

Nicolas Toma – Lesson on Forgiveness

I first met Nicolas in 2004 during my first trip to Guatemala. He worked for Agros and was the promoter to the village of Cajixay. In 2003 he had led a team from our church to Cajixay and through his efforts a partnership was formed. Cajixay was where he had been raised. Cajixay is where his father had been a pastor. Cajixay is where he met his wife and was married. Cajixay is where his first child was conceived. And Cajixay is where the brutality of war crashed down upon him.

He looked on and watched as his father was executed in front of his fearful eyes. His village was burned to the ground and memories of the screams of terror were never forgotten. He and his pregnant wife fled to the hills. Hiding from both the army and the guerillas, they survived on tiny portions of food. Without shelter, his wife gave birth to a son – who had no chance to survive in the cold, damp climate. He and his wife were able to survive this terrible ordeal – his father, son and many friends were not as fortunate.  

In my previous blog, I wrote of a recent attempt at justice for those responsible for massacres such as the one that took place in Cajixay. I do not ever remember Nicolas speaking of retribution or justice. But in his life he demonstrated the powerful act of forgiveness. He knew the people who had killed his father and friends, the people who were somewhat responsible for the death of his first son, and he chose the path of forgiveness – not only in words, but in action. He ministered to them. He helped them. He witnessed to them. When I struggle with forgiveness to those I think have wronged me or those I love, I often think of the amazing grace which Nicolas lived out.

 I am not sure how Nicolas would feel about the recent verdicts handed down in Guatemala City. Cancer claimed his life a little over a year ago. I am proud to have known Nicolas as a friend. I missed seeing him on recent trip to the Ixil. But we have remained connected through an amazing sequence of “coincidences” which have led me to an amazing relationship with his granddaughter. I will tell you about Ana Elcy in my next post.

Rich