July 15, 2011 at Consul's Place, I didn't expect to meet the man who was tortured to death because of a mistaken identity of the crime he never committed but saved in God's time and mercy. His name is Pastor Donnie Lama, a Christian follower and servant of the Lord who went to Iraq to share the gospel of our God but because of imprudence and lack of freedom and justice, he was sent to prison and had a very unforgettable and remarkable, though terrible and excruciating experience that for sure won't be forgotten.
His story is sure to be kept and shared because the overwhelming power of his story will never be bought over-the-counter nor thrown. He said a lot of things I didn't imagine to hear but because of his courage and FAITH in God, I learned one thing.. Those people who are pretending to be powerful and justified their own identity by claiming they have this power are just a small and foolish one because the more they claim they are mightier than the LORD, the more they become feebleminded.
I will share to you his story through this article and for sure, what I have heard in his experience will be laid on your hands and hearts also.
Donnie Lama Story in Iraq as a Christian
"ANGELS SAVED MY LIFE," SAYS DONNIE LAMA, A FILIPINO CHRISTIAN WHO ONCE SURVIVED 70 LASHES IN A SAUDI PRISON
Now he has "miraculously" survived a terrible auto accident in Iraq
BAGHDAD, IRAQ (ANS) -- Donato "Donnie" Lama, a Filipino Christian who once survived 70 lashes in a Saudi Arabian prison as a punishment for his Christian activities in the desert kingdom, has now survived a terrible auto accident in Iraq which took the lives of his three traveling companions. (Pictured: Donato "Donnie" Lama).
In a message set to the ASSIST News Service from Kuwait, Lama wrote, "On July 21, 2003, I was coming out from Baghdad, Iraq, with some friends. Just one hour before we reached Kuwait border, we met with a heavy accident. I do not know how the accident happened. When I regained consciousness somebody, I found a soldier from the US Army was helping me. He told me, "We have called for a helicopter to bring you to the hospital in Kuwait.'
"When I saw the Land Cruiser in which we were traveling, I realized that it had been completely smashed. There were four of us in the vehicle and I was sitting in the back. I was the only survivor. The other three were dead on the spot according to the medical report that I saw.
"God sent his angels to lift me up in order to take charge of me. I thank and praise god for his faithfulness. God is really good; He is alive and He saved my life."
Lama said that it was treated in the Intensive Care Unit of a Kuwait City hospital for four days. "My left arm is badly fractured, but now I am in recovery. Please pray for me for the quick recovery. Thank you and God bless you."
He added, "Pray for the People of the Suffering Church."
CHARGED WITH BEING A "PREACHER OF CHRISTIANITY"
This is not the first time that Donnie Lama believes that God spared his life. He hit the world headlines back in 1995 when five burly Saudi policemen wearing flowing white robes burst into his Riyadh home. At the time, he had no idea what it would lead to, but it soon became obvious that he was being persecuted for his faith. Donnie was repeatedly beaten and tortured. When no confession could be forced out of him, he was charged with being a "preacher of Christianity."
Donnie spent seventeen months in the Al Malaz prison, but constantly shared his faith with the other inmates and encouraged them with Bible studies and prayer. But still his faith was put to a terrible test.
THE LONG WAIT FOR FREEDOM
It was November 16, 1996, more than a year after his imprisonment. The court summoned him again. Their first question to him was: "Have you now become a Muslim?" Donnie Lama, with his newfound courage, answered "I am not a Muslim. I will never be a Muslim."
This angered the judge. "You are bad!" he said. Lama was rejoicing to be counted worthy of suffering for Jesus. In his heart he was saying: "Whatever happens, I will stand up for my Christian faith. I have been imprisoned for being a Christian. My imprisonment will not be in vain."
The judge pressed on: "Where is your license for being a priest?" Donnie, as he had declared over and over again, replied: "I am not a priest." Then the judge turned to him and said: "Okay, we will still study your case." Meanwhile, his American boss from a previous job, who was a brother in the Lord, had learned of Donnie's plight and started appealing his case through the American Embassy which was also supported by the Canadian Embassy. Still, it would be another month before there would be any progress in his case.
On December 16, 1996 Donnie appeared in court again. Again he was asked by the judge: "Are you still a Christian?" Donnie replied "Yes."
The court then sentenced him to prison for one and a half years and 70 lashes. Upon hearing the sentence, Donnie didn't know whether to cry in agony or to cry in joy. He was sad that he had to serve this relatively long and heavy sentence compared to the sentence of three to six months received by others who were convicted of the same crime. But he was also happy that at last the court had set a limit to his imprisonment. He only had to serve for four more months. "Do you wish to appeal?" the judge asked. "No," he answered firmly.
It was during this time that he received letters from all over the world! Unknown to him, his case was discussed by the Open Doors Netherlands office through another Dutch organization which published Donnie's name as among those languishing in jail without just cause. Open Doors Netherlands put him on the roster of Christian prisoners to receive correspondence from their supporters. Some 200 letters of encouragement were received by him in prison. He would receive them opened and screened by the Saudi jail officer. But Donnie didn't mind. The words of encouragement still reached him and he was amazed that they even came through at all despite the screening. There were cards and letters with, Christian messages, Christian images and Bible verses.
It was like fresh rain in the desert land of Saudi which found an oasis in the drier, parched land inside the prison walls. Donnie used the verses in the cards for his exhortations. He carefully read each card and letter and took note of the designs to find meaning in every single illustration. He filled up his lonely nights answering some of the letters. He sent them either through Filipino prisoners who were going home or smuggled them out through his visitors.
At 6:00 a.m. the following day, March 23, 1997 he bid farewell to his friends in prison. He was brought to Deportation Headquarters for five more days before he was finally able go to the King Khalid International Airport.
He was a free man again.
KINDNESS ON FLIGHT 864
Donnie boarded Saudi Flight 864 on March 28, 1997. He was bound for home. As he took his assigned seat, Donnie suddenly experienced difficulty in breathing. He was suffering from high blood pressure. He was shivering and he turned as white as a ghost. He called the stewardess and asked for water. The stewardess immediately gave him water and called a doctor.
The doctor discovered that Donnie's blood pressure was 170 over 120. All the while, his mind was alert and he knew everything that was going on. The doctor began giving instructions for Donnie to be taken off the plane in a wheelchair. "Doctor, you can't!" Donnie explained his situation and what would happen if he didn't leave on the plane. He would be returned immediately to Malaz Jail! The doctor understood and talked to the Flight Captain. The Captain understood and decided on a course of action so that the flight could proceed after a one hour delay. He looked for a nurse on board who could monitor Donnie's condition during the flight. There was a volunteer. Both Donnie and the nurse were transferred to the Business Section of the plane. It turned out that many passengers recognized Donnie and knew of the situation he had gone through. Many were sympathizers to the injustice he had suffered and they wanted to spend time with him. They were, however, advised by the flight attendants not to visit Donnie since he was not feeling well. (Donnie was told of this later.) The stewardess asked him who was meeting him at the airport.
He said "No one." Nobody knew he was even coming home that day so the stewardess offered to take him home. She was being met by her father and she happened to live in a nearby town to where Donnie lived. As he was about to get off the plane after it landed at the Manila International Airport, Donnie was approached by the stewardess who handed him an envelope. It contained money which was a contribution from the crew and passengers for Donnie! They just wanted to give him something. Donnie could only thank them for their love and kindness.
He felt at that very moment that all the suffering he had experienced in Saudi was being replaced a hundred fold with so much warmth and kindheartedness from his own people. And it was only his first day. He was indeed home!
THE DAY BEFORE EASTER
He reached his town in Cavite, a province south of Manila, on March 29, 1997. His wife cried as she saw him approaching their house. It was Black Saturday, but not for Donnie. To him, it was already Easter, the day when Jesus was resurrected and rendered powerless the gates of hell. To Donnie, it was a day of celebration for his own victory over death. All of his family was at home and it was a teary reunion. There was rejoicing in the Lama household. Donnie knew in his heart that it was going to be the first day of the rest of his life. And he is living it for Jesus.
Since then, Donnie has returned to the Middle East one several occasions to bring encouragement to believers there. I suspect that now God has given him yet another chance, he won't stop now in his service of the Lord!
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
