From Enemies To Friends

From Enemies To Friends

She returned to her captors.

JUDY HYLAND grew up in a small town in northern Minnesota. She gave her life to Christ as a high school student and soon made a committment to world missions. On October 5, 1940, she set sail for China with nine other Lutheran missionaries.

Their ship did not reach China but was redirected to the Philippines because of Japan’s war against China. They settled in the mountain city of Baguio and immersed themselves in the difficult task of learning Chinese, still hoping to go to China. They heard rumors that the war was spreading but were not concerned about themselves, as the U.S. high commissioner to the Philippines had assured them of their safety.

Thus it came as a total surprise when Japanese bombers attacked their city on the same day that the news of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor reached them. Shortly thereafter, as the Japanese army marched toward the city of Baguio, the missionaries read Psalm 91 together: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely he will save you. . . . He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge” (vv. 1-4, NIV).

The Japanese captured Judy and approximately five hundred other Americans and held them captive from December 1941 to February 1945. They were held at a U.S. military rest camp in Baguio until May 1942, then in a Filipino camp in Baguio until December 1944, and finally in Old Bilibid Prison in Manila until February 1945. Crowded into austere barracks, they fought hunger and boredom constantly. They were cut off from all news of World War II, and for more than three years they did not know what was happening or whether they would ever be released. It was as if time stood still.

On February 4, 1945, American troops launched a surprise attack on the Japanese in Manila, and the American prisoners were freed! They were unable to return home immediately because the military had to focus on winning the war rather than transporting freed prisoners. The former prisoners used the time to learn about the last three years and to reorient themselves to American life. So much had changed that they were frightened about returning to their old life. They also struggled with feelings of hatred toward the Japanese. Could forgiveness come?

When the announcement finally came that they were going home, Judy was surprised by her lack of excitement. She knew she should be happy but was somewhat afraid to leave the life that had been reality for her for over three years. Resuming normal life seemed impossible. As they left, she later recalled, “There was no sentimental looking back, but there was also no joyful anticipation. We went through it all as if we were sleepwalking.”

When the ship reached Los Angeles on May 8, 1945, and Judy disembarked, a Red Cross volunteer approached her and said, “My dear, you look tired. Would you like some coffee and a doughnut?” Judy’s emotions burst forth like a flood. “Coffee and doughnuts! We had daydreamed about it, and it had been in our daily conversations. And now to actually hold coffee and doughnuts in my hands—and even more to receive the kindness and sympathy—was too much.”

Returning to Minneapolis by train, she was met by her family, friends, and fiancé. With tears streaming down their faces they sang, “Now Thank We All Our God.” She later wrote, “A foretaste of the great homecoming in glory! I went through it all, however, as if it were happening to someone else. But now after 40 years I cannot speak of that homecoming without tears.”

Judy Hyland and her fiancé were married and became Lutheran missionaries in Japan, serving there for thirty years. Those who once were captors and enemies became dear friends.

Reflection

Judy found meaning in her suffering by ministering to the very people who had hurt her. God gave her a forgiving heart. Do you have trouble forgiving others? Judy Hyland’s experience is an example of how through Christ we can forgive the most grievous wrongs.

Forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.

Matthew 6:12