Radical Grace in Life and Leadership

People of the Second Chance

CAN A WAR CHILD MOVE ON?

Posted by Jud Wilhite:

Emmanuel Jal is a survivor of war in Sudan, a self-proclaimed “war child.” As the subject of a critically acclaimed documentary (War Child, 2008), Jal has known extreme poverty, near death starvation and unspeakable pain. He was only seven years old when his mother was killed by government soldiers. His father abandoned him, he witnessed his aunt being raped, and several of his brothers and sisters claimed by the war as well.

In an attempt to escape the horrors of war, he joined thousands of other children in seeking refuge, but on his way he was captured, recruited and turned into a child soldier.

After spending seven years as a child soldier, he found refuge with an aid worker. Jal now uses hip-hop as a medium for his message of reconciliation, forgiveness, and peace.

What is important about his story is that Emmanuel refuses to hate. In his work, he is full of hope and forgiveness, spreading the message of peace and reconciliation. He campaigns tirelessly against gun proliferation and the use of children in war. Emmanuel fights for peace, forgiveness, and restoration; being a spokesman of a several justice organizations.

Jal, a devout Christian, started making music in 2000. He comments: “[I started singing] in church, because that’s where there was hope. I looked at my life and I said, ‘I’ve been in hell and I’m told there’s another. Why choose that when I have another option?’ So I used to go to church and joined the gospel choir. We put on concerts in church and the school. Then I started to rap.”

When asked the question, “Do you find it ironic that rap music is often associated with guns and violence?” Jal gave a thoughtful and gracious response:

“I’ve seen those people. They have so much hatred and bitterness. A lot of them want to fight an enemy they can’t see, so they end up being violent to anyone around. That’s because they were slaves, in poverty and in a violent place. For me, I had the same violence, the same bitterness, but it changed. I was influenced by the Christian belief that you must forgive your enemy. But also by people like Nelson Mandela, he suffered so much but he still had to speak the word of peace and what he spoke is healing South Africa now. You have to give your enemy security, for them to trust you. Because they’re insecure, they think you’ll take what they have.”

In my life I have a hard time “moving on” with lots of things, particularly when someone has criticized or hurt my family.

What do you have a hard time “moving on” from?

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View Comments to “CAN A WAR CHILD MOVE ON?”

Wow. Here is someone who has earned the right to speak about grace and love!

A friend of mine was asked once…
“What the hell did you go through? Nobody knows God like you do for free.”

 Posted by: Rocco // March 5th, 2010 at 5:55 am>

I can't imagine the life that Emmanual has lived. It is foreign to me. Only something that is shown on the big screen. It seems as though my trials and struggles are nothing in comparison. I've had a hard time moving on from pornography. It can be such a security blanket in a very perverse sense. But this is what I have in common with Emmanual. We've both been loved and forgiven by God through his son Jesus Christ. And only through that love is there freedom and forgiveness. My story is not nearly as captivating as Emmanual's but I'm here to say that your story doesn't have to be to experience this freedom and forgiveness.

 Posted by: kenyongerbrandt // March 5th, 2010 at 9:31 am>

I know about these issue from Sudan. The stories are amazing. The issues these children when through is unfathomable. I am so thankful that God has touched the lives of so many Sudan people. I know 3 of the Lost Boys from Sudan. http://theypouredfire.com/ They have been through so much and they have continued to be guided by God to be able to return to Sudan and help other.

It is amazing how God is using Emmanuel Jal and his music to spread his message as he fights for peace, forgiveness, and restoration.

I also have been given a second chance and I am so thankful for this chance to help other and in turn continue to keep myself accountable. God has truly blessed my life and I am so happy to see he continues to bless others also.

Emmanuel I pray you will continue to reach many as continue spreading the good news of God love and forgiveness to all who take it.

Robert

 Posted by: Robert // March 6th, 2010 at 7:17 pm>

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