Guest Post by Ross Waugh
I have just finished reading the book “The Edge of Terror, The Heroic Story of American Families Trapped in the Japanese-occupied Philippines” by Scott Walker.
Much of the narrative of this book is centred on the Philippine Island of Panay, where Pastor Jonan grew up, and the story of the Hopevale Martyrs.
Scott Walker weaves together a compelling narrative of life during that time – the fear, the brutality, the shocking awfulness of war, and the faith, hope, love and kindness shown during that time.
Scott concludes the book by reflecting on faith, hope, love and war. I have summarised below the points that Scott makes at the conclusion of the book.
Faith and Hope
The root of the word ‘martyr’ is not primarily ‘one who suffers’; instead, it is ‘one who bears witness’. So what witness was displayed by the Hopevale Martyrs:
- First – they had a shared commitment to make the world a better place through education, medicine, agriculture, social work and spiritual healing. They bore witness that life has an overarching purpose: to love others and meet human needs. The overriding purpose of their lives was to live so that ‘God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven’.
- Second – they bore vivid witness that those who seek to do good are not protected from the dangers, the terrors, and the tragedies of life. Their testimony is that God does not place a protective barrier around those who live loving and charitable lives – there is no promise of reward, special treatment, or safety when you seek to do good. You are not shielded from the sun or storm. Goodness is done for no other sake than goodness. It takes faith to believe in goodness amid a tragic world. And such faith produces a seasoned, tempered, and mature existential hope.
- Third, the Hopevale Martyrs bore witness to the fact that the human spirit, combined with the strength of God, can overcome the worst that life can offer. They bore witness that the human spirit can rise to the most daunting occasion and overcome it.
- Fourth, the surviving children of the Hopevale Martyrs have displayed an incredible sense of forgiveness toward those who executed their parents. Such forgiveness did not come easy. It took years for grief and forgiveness to come to full term. Such forgiveness has brought tears to their eyes but peace to their souls. Forgiveness, too, is built on faith in ultimate hope and goodness.
Finally, the most profound witness of the Hopevale Martyrs is an unyielding belief in God’s existence and goodness – a faith and hope that sustained them beyond human understanding.
Love
Throughout the story, Scott recounts time and again messages of great love shown – across cultures and between friends. In the times of severest trouble, love shines forth. Love that risked all to assist, support, and show compassion in times of great fear and in times of great need.
As Scott wrote the story, he agreed with the Apostle Paul that the greatest human gifts are faith, hope and love. And that the greatest of these is love.
War
War is hell – as the story of the Philippines during World War 2 attests, and the many war memorials dotted around South Canterbury also bear witness.
In the middle of the war, dreadful atrocities happen, and these are never the preserve of one side or the other.
Scott concludes on the war that he firmly believes that those who died at Hopevale would want their deaths to be a violent symbol – a witness – to the perverse lunacy of warfare and a prophetic warning for the days in which we now live.
Conclusion
Scott’s conclusion is thus – What can we learn from this story?
Perhaps we can better understand the truth of the age-old proposition that faith, hope and love are the only forces that conquer all.
Summary
So, why have I shared this brief review of ‘The Edge of Terror’?
The bodies of the Hopevale Martyrs now rest and are memorialised at the Central Philippines University, where Pastor Jonan and Jewel Castillon graduated.
The Hopevale Martyrs’ sacrifice and love continue to inspire new generations of graduates to serve their Lord in the Philippines and worldwide.
Here in New Zealand, in South Canterbury, nearly 70 years later, we too can be inspired by the sacrifice of the Hopevale Martyrs to live our lives in faith, hope and love – and share the love of our Lord with those who arrive in our community from the Philippines, China, Korea, Japan, India and many other countries.
The witness of the Hopevale Martyrs still speaks to us down through the years – that faith, hope, and love are the only forces that conquer all and that love’s the greatest human gift.
To God be the Glory!
I heard the stories about this Japanese atrocity from my grandfather the Rev. Delfin Dianala and my grandmother “Tiyay Atri Alave and from my aunt Leticia. It is a very sad story.
Even until today there is a large segment of the Japanese population that are still warlike and militarists in their mind > but the new internet generation have oscillated away from these thoughts are are so different from the old Japanese.
I wish this will never happen again but when we read stories in Uganda, Mozambique, Eritrea and Angola, they are all coming back like a nightmare. When will people have the level of civility to not kill one another?
Hi Freddy,
Thanks for sharing your precious memories from your Grandfather and Grandmother. From what I read during World War 2 must have been a very frightening and scary time in the Philippines. I found encouragement that in the worst of times love still overcame, and brought out the very best in people.
Engr Ross, thank you so much for your story about the Hopevale martyrs….this story must have to be retold to the next generation…of the horror of war , the destruction…and I firmly believe that peace will only be attained if there is love in the whole world. The Hopevale martyrs….touch the lives of so many alumni including me…getting education. For poor families…the only way to improve our lives is getting good education. CPU provides it for us.
Hi Mauro – thank you so much for your comment. I have only recently become aware of the Hopeville Martyrs through my association and conversations with Pastor Jonan Castillon here in New Zealand. So I decided to buy and read the book to learn more.
I am really pleased that their sacrifice has not been forgotten, and that it does still touch lives at CPU. If the Philippines is anything like New Zealand, many who lived through the horrors of war never told their stories, as they were trying to forget, and get on building a life after the war.
Getting an good education is so important in this world, and it is good to hear that CPU is assisting with this for so many people. I have had a look at the information about CPU on the internet and it seems to be a very good university – God willing I may get to visit there one day.
I tell the story of the impact the American missionaries have in my life to my congregation and other friends in the US. It is amazing that the story of love, sacrifice and service resonates well in many people’s lives, and they are blessed and inspired by it.
The monument to the Hopevale martyrs at the Baptist Assembly in Green Lake, WI is a must see for all of us, a reminder that indeed as Ross stated, that love, faith and hope sends the most eloquent message for all generations and all peoples.
The example that Christ gave for us serves us well in the past, in the present and for eternity. May we always cherish the memory of those who have blazed the pathway for us, and may we act as active witnesses of God’s love and Christ’s sacrifice to our world today.
Hi P.Londres – thank you for your comment here, and taking time to share your heart and wisdom. Thank you also for continuing to tell the Hopevale story. Personally, I have found the Hopevale story very humbling, and it has impacted my life, blessed and inspired me too. I have looked up Green Lake, WI on the internet and found some pictures of the memorial, and the woodland cathedral. It looks like a very peaceful place.
Following the example of Christ in serving, witness, sacrifice and love is a daily challenge. Here in Timaru, New Zealand we are being challenged with ministry to those who have recently immigrated here – from the Philippines, China, India, Korea, the Pacific Islands and many other places. We would value your prayers as we humbly seek the Lords guidance in what to do, and the paths to walk in this ministry.
Indeed this story will strengthen our faith..I am proud of the Baptist heritage.. This is a story we, Capizenos should be proud of. The story of Hopevale Martyrs happened in Hopevale, Tapaz,Capiz.
The book written by Milton Meyer, Letters to Home also inspired us to make a play and has been presented in Filamer Christian University. The play entitled “Tungang Gab-i” speaks the struggle of the Filipinos during the World War and at the same time the courage of the American Missionaries inspite of the tremendous happenings they experienced. Good thing is, most of the casts and the production team were all Roman Catholics and that the story gave them an inspiration about the Baptist faith.
Hi Jett,
I did come across information about the play when I was looking on the Internet. It is really encouraging to hear that the play and the message of Hopevale was an inspiration to many through the play. The courage and love to others shown by Filipinos during the World War has spoken to me, and is a witness all on its own.
Thanks for highlighting this important mission story. The witness of both the missionaries and the Filipino brothers and sisters who protected them is a living testimony to the sacrificial love we experience in the family of God.
Hi Ann,
Thanks for your comment – this testimony of sacrificial love is an inspiration and a challenge to us all each and every day.