In April, I and another missionary attended the Tribunal twice for the court’s ruling on the man (Mr. M.) that was caught during the mayhem (robbery and attempted murder) that occurred at our center last year on September 25, 2012. To read our blog about the testimony of the Lord that occurred that night please click here.
During both the trial and sentencing we learned much about the seriousness of being before a judge. We sat for over 7 hours (on hard, uncomfortable chairs) just waiting for our case to be presented before the judges. We were told that we couldn’t sit with feet crossed, leaning to the side, or with eyes closed (it would appear as though you’re sleeping). No holding any handbags, coats or other similar articles, and we couldn’t leave the courtroom unless we raised our hands and were given permission (of course we were given more rules than these). The other missionary said, “This is like prison.” Well, it’s the courthouse and your rights are limited. Not even one's opinion was guaranteed to matter. It’s not a place where you can take things lightly.
During the trial earlier in April, the other missionary and I testified before the justices and lawyers. We also affirmed our love to the accused man (and his wife who was there listening). I told the judges that I was not there to ensure a harsh judgment, but to testify of how we forgave Mr. M. and the others. I also told them that he has been showing his willingness to have Jesus change his life, and honestly, that there still needs to be deeper repentance in his heart. We stood for Christ, and didn’t hide our faith in Jesus Christ and the gospel. After the court hearing, the Lord graciously allowed me to convey our love and forgiveness for the man to his wife. I know that the Spirit of the Lord was touching her life and those who came with her. She was in the courtroom and heard how we did not try to encourage the maximum sentence or speak bad things about him.
On Tuesday, April 30, we had to return to the Tribunal just
for the verdict. In the morning before
going to the courthouse, the Lord surprised me by telling me how many years Mr. M. would get. In the courtroom,
the wife of Mr. M. sat right behind me.
This time, she got our attention, looked at us pleasantly, and said, "Good morning" to us. Her countenance had
changed a lot from the trial earlier in the month. When the justices came into
the courtroom, the judge looked my way.
I perceived that he was delighted about something. They brought the accused man into the room,
and the judge read the verdict. The judge
told Mr. M. that for his crime the law states that he should get from 8
-12 years (along with a lot of fines that must be paid). But, listen to
what the judge said. He said, “…but because you were forgiven [the
justices remembered when I said that I and our center forgave him], we
reduced your sentence to 5 years.” For me it was a complete
victory! We hadn’t contended for vengeance, neither for a harsh
punishment. We contended to stand in the Lord’s faithfulness, so that the
will of God would be done. The Lord’s will was all
that mattered to me. That morning, the Lord had also told me that he would
get 5 years! I also remembered the prophetic word I gave Mr. M. last year
in October. Last year, when I first talked to him in prison, face to face, the
Lord filled my heart with love for him. As
I chose to love him, the Lord gave me prophetic words for his life. One of the things that I told him was that the
Lord would allow him to spend less time in prison than what he should actually
spend for his crime. On April 30, we saw that part of the word of the
Lord come to pass. I also prophesized to
him that he would preach the gospel, and if he continued in faithfulness, the
Lord would also use him to preach the gospel in nations and deliver people from
bondage and oppression from sin and Satan.
Personally, I pray that while Mr. M. is in prison, he will take the opportunity to receive the Lord's forgiveness, and grow in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.
Many other things happened in the courtroom. The other missionary and I witnessed how the gospel impacted
the judges, their decisions, and even the wife of Mr. M. Many other people
in the courtroom, got to hear the judge explain his decision as well. After the sentencing, we encouraged Mr. M.’s wife and prayed for her (she goes to church
and said she does believe in Jesus the Son of God). 
This is why we are here in Lichinga, Mozambique. This is why we desire to spend our lives for
this nation and others. We have a
growing love for the people, and contend to see them receive an opportunity
though the gospel, to repent and be brought into right relationship with God
through Jesus Christ.
God is clearly
working in Mr. M.’s life and many others through the ministry here in Mozambique. Thank you for believing God, and standing with us for
the testimony of Jesus Christ. If we (who
have the Holy Spirit of God and believe in Christ Jesus) forgive people
(villages, cities, nations), the Lord will forgive them and not hold their sins
against them (John 20:22-23, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21). Simply by forgiving people in Jesus' name, we can open the
door for unprecedented moves of God in areas that we’ve never witnessed them
before. I believe God. Are you willing to believe with us?!
Love,
Tyren"...for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me." Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, "Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?" And the King will answer and say to them, "Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me." (Matthew 25:35-40)
Link to original story of the attack: "Faithfulness of God: Robbed and Attempted Murder"
Link to story of personal meeting with the attacker: "Personal Meeting With Our Incarcerated Attacker"
