GIVING. PRAYING. FASTING
32
From Death to Life
Over the next five years, Johnson-Roy and Israel shared their testimony
with other prisoners who marveled at their story-many wishing to be
in Israel’s shoes.
In 2010, Israel was released from prison. Johnson held a “Welcome
Home” party for him with people committed to helping him succeed
and the two continue to share their testimony around the country
as part of an organization Johnson founded in 2005 called From
Death to Life that focuses on ending violence through healing and
reconciliation. The two have become very close – so close that Israel is
Johnson’s next-door neighbor and she now considers him her spiritual
son while Israel considers her his second mother. Johnson has also
reconciled with Israel’s mother.
Johnson likens unforgiveness to a spiritual disease eating at a person’s
spiritual core. She admits that the task of forgiving can only be done
with God’s help.
“…..And the one thing that I learned about forgiveness is that
forgiveness is for me. It wasn’t for O’shea. That forgiveness was for me.
It’s for me so that I can move on and do what it is God has told me to
do. …,” said Johnson.
Johnson doesn’t wrestle with
unforgiveness anymore and
advises those struggling with it
to let God have His way in their
lives and allow Him to take them
through a process of forgiveness –
a process she doesn’t regret.
“I am a free woman of God. I
am free and I’m grateful,” said
Johnson.
For more information about or to donate to From Death to Life,
please visit their website at www.FromDeathtoLife.us.