Spring 2004/Final Issue




"
...the Lynch’s said in a statement shortly after Jessica’s rescue that it was an answer to not only their prayers, but they were sure the prayers of everyone around the world who had been praying for her after hearing of her capture."






Known as 'Jessie', Jessica Lynch only joined the armed forces because she could not find a job in her farming community home town of Palestine, West Virginia.





"
Jessica Lynch wanted to go to school to be a kindergarten teacher...and it looks like that dream will become a reality, thanks to the kindness of a stranger who was supposed to be an enemy, and the power of an absolutely amazing God!"




 



"I'm No Hero...I'm Just a Survivor"
Reflections on Jessica Lynch

by Charlotte Wilkinson


It was a year ago last month when we first heard of Jessica Lynch's capture and spectacular recovery in the earliest days of the conflict in Iraq. Tragically ambushed, her lost unit suffered dreadful losses . After being beaten and sodomized, she barely escaped with her life. LFCNews Online looks back on Jessica a year later with a story written by Charlotte Wilkinson on the humble Army private who does not view herself as a "modern day hero", but "just a survivor".

The spectacular rescue of prisoner of war Jessica Lynch, 19, from Palestine, West Virginia, is just more proof of how awesome and sovereign God is, and how good can overcome evil—not only for her, but likewise for her family. At the Southern Baptist Fellowship Church, near Elizabeth, West Virginia, the Lynch’s said in a statement shortly after Jessica’s rescue that it was an answer to not only their prayers, but they were sure the prayers of everyone around the world who had been praying for her after hearing of her capture.

Lynch was an Army supply clerk, and was captured March 23, 2003 after her 507th Ordinance Maintenance Company convoy was ambushed in the southern Iraqi city of Nasiriyah. Her rescue was the first ever of a woman in a war, and the first successful rescue of a POW since World War II.

Who led the soldiers to Lynch’s whereabouts that led to her rescue is an even more amazing part of the story. An Iraqi soldier was at the hospital that Lynch had been taken to. He saw a guard slap Lynch twice, and after the man left, the soldier stealthily trekked back into the room where she was and told Lynch not to worry and that he would get help. He then walked 6 miles before he came across a group of U.S. Marines. He approached them and said that he had information on Lynch.

Over the next two days, the Marines sent him back to the hospital to gather more information. He drew rough maps of the hospital by hand for the U.S. soldiers, which they used as guides in their rescue of Lynch, in the middle of the night on April 2, 2003. Lynch was a little hesitant at first to leave, but they told her they were U.S. soldiers and she knew she was safe.

For an Iraqi soldier to go against his country and tell the Americans about a comrade of theirs is truly a miracle–and truly heroic. In the midst of a battle between good and evil, a soldier who knew what he believed and whose heart broke to see a young woman slapped, stood his ground and went to get help, even if his country didn’t want him to. God was present there and I believe was present in that Iraqi soldier. He was willing to risk his own life for the safe rescue of a nineteen year old girl whose life was just beginning.

Since her rescue, Lynch has had many blessings bestowed upon her. Despite suffering from a head wound, a spinal injury and fractures to her right arm, legs, right foot and ankle, Lynch returned to the U.S. with a full scholarship to any school in West Virginia, a trip to Hawaii and a new car waiting for her, as well as scores of flowers and money from concerned citizens who were so thankful for her safe rescue.

Jessica Lynch wanted to go to school to be a kindergarten teacher...and it looks like that dream will become a reality, thanks to the kindness of a stranger who was supposed to be an enemy, and the power of an absolutely amazing God!















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Charlotte Wilkinson is a junior attending school at Colorado Christian University. Charlotte's connection is to the Columbine community transpired in a unique way. A citizen of Vancouver, British Columbia, she was deeply inspired by Rachel Scott and made the courageous decision to give her life to the Lord and move to the Denver area to pursue a degree in youth ministry. Charlotte performs Rachel's famous mime based Ray Boltz's powerful song "Watch the Lamb" to local churches and youth groups in the Denver area. Charlotte has also provided literary contributions to the development of racheljoyscott.com and continues to play a meaningful role in Christian ministry at Trinity Christian Center in Littleton, Colorado.

 
 


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