KIM PHUC: THE QUEST FOR WHOLENESS

BLOG 173

October 26, 2020

MIRACLES NEVER CEASE

Robert Wise  has interviewed people in many states about their experiences with divine encounters. Because of the virus, he’s been unable to interview people. So, we’ve presented Summer Reruns. Now it’s Fall. But this week I found a story that I’ve not presented previously

KIM PHUC: THE QUEST FOR WHOLENESS

While digging through my files I came across a picture I had saved long ago. One of those Vietnam War depictions that caused many Americans to rethink the war struck me. Children were running from their village that had just been fire bombed. Black clouds of smoke filled the sky. The children screamed and ran to escape the exploding flames. In the center of the picture was a completely naked little girl with both arms extended. The bombing had ripped her clothing away and severely burned her back. Recovery would require seventeen surgeries and fourteen months of hospitalization. The agony in her face while screaming in horror still traumatizes.

Every time I saw that picture, I asked myself why we allow such wars and violence to continue. The plight of Kim Phuc never stopped haunting me. Every time I ran across the picture, I wondered what had become of that poor child. Maybe the war would never be over for her.

While thumbing through a magazine with an article by Emily Werenga, there was that frightening picture again and a story about what had happened to this child.  Her photo had been proclaimed a “National Symbol of War,” but Kim Phuc only wanted to forget the entire subject.  She  struggled with anger and bitterness, hating her life. However, as an adult, Kim stumbled onto a Bible in a public library and started to read.  What she saw fascinated her and she couldn’t stop reading. Never had she heard the story unfolding before her.

Out of curiosity, Kim stopped in a church to explore further. Again, for the first time. She heard the Christian account explained. She said, “The love of God changed my life. I knew that Jesus died on the cross and paid for my sins.” The impact was profound.

No longer was Kim plagued by wondering “Why?” She started asking, “How?”

“My life was like a cup of coffee. Very dark: with hatred, anger, bitterness, sorrow … So, I asked God how can I clean everything in my heart?” The hot coffee was poured out every day until the cup was empty. Then, she asked the cup to be filled with the love of God. While Kim still takes a med for her napalm scars and has diabetes, she credits God with giving her a wonderful husband and children as well as starting over again in Canada.

During a visit to the Vietnam War Memorial in 1996, she encountered one of the   pilots who had actually bombed her village. She assured the shattered man of her forgiveness. For Kim, the story of God’s love and the love of people is more powerful than any weapon of war.

The divine interventions of God’s love continue every day. His love never ceases.

My latest books:

I Marched with Patton: A Firsthand Account of World War II Alongside One of the U.S. Army’s Greatest Generals!

by Frank Sisson (Author), Robert L. Wise (Author)

You can find I MARCHED WITH PATTON on Amazon.

82 Days on Okinawa: One American’s Unforgettable Firsthand Account of the Pacific War’s Greatest Battle!

You can find 82 DAYS ON OKINAWA on Amazon.

by Art Shaw (Author), Robert L. Wise (Author)