To My Fellow Compatriots, Let's Forgive!

11/19/2016 , 97 Comments


I remember a part of the Gettysburg Address.

"Four scores and seven years ago our fathers brought forth to this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."

A part of a poetic literature of Shakespeare, and I quote -

"Drink to me only with thine eyes,
And I will pledge with mine;
Or leave a kiss but in the cup,
And I’ll not look for wine."

And a part of a famous Spanish poem of our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal -

"Cada nota que el viento murmura,
cada rayo de luz en el sol,
cada flor en la verde llanura
es un himno a la gloria de Dios."
"Es un mundo una lira sublime
que modula en eterna canción, si suspira,
si canta o si gime, siempre,
siempre la gloria de Dios."

And a poetic farewell dedicated to a beloved country, a family and a presumed wife -

"¡Adiós, Patria adorada, región del sol querida,
Perla del mar de oriente, nuestro perdido Edén!
A darte voy alegre la triste mustia vida,
Y fuera más brillante, más fresca, más Florida,
También por ti la diera, la diera por tu bien...

Adiós, padres y hermanos, trozos del alma mía,
Amigos de la infancia en el perdido hogar,
Dad gracias que descanso del fatigoso día;
Adiós, dulce extranjera, mi amiga, mi alegría,
Adiós, queridos seres, morir es descansar.

I am a witness - a living witness - to what is happening now to my beloved country. Political chaos, discontent in almost all regimes of government, decisions of the highest court being questioned by no less than members of the legislative branch of government, a seamlessly never ending dispute between supporters of former President Ferdinand Marcos and the Yellow Army of the EDSA Revolution, and so on.

I remember an essay as a young man in a declamation contest wherein I won the highest award goes like this. That was several decades ago and yet how very much relevant today. It can only mean there had been no changes in the heart of man, in the heart of the Filipino.

Twenty years ago,
After I have shed the last drop of my blood 
In the gory battlefields of Bataan and Corregidor 
I faced my Creator, 
With an overwhelming pride in my heart.

“God,” I said, 
“I have done my share,” “
I have sacrificed my life so that my people 
may live in lasting peace.”

Now I stood once more at the presence of God, 
“Go back,” He said, 
“Look at your people in your country today,” 
“See how they have made a mockery of what you have died for,” 
“See how they have destroyed the very essence of democracy.”

And so, Ladies and Gentlemen, 
I have to come back, 
Not as a Living mass, but as a Ghost, 
and this is my Story.

My Father, my Mother and I 
Were living peacefully in a small mountain farm, 
Suddenly, a group of Japanese soldiers swooped down on us,

My Father and I, were hog-tied, 
And before our shocked eyes, 
My mother was abused, and was raped…

After their sadistic thirst was quenched, 
They killed her in cold impunity, 
And abandoned her mangled, bloody and lifeless body in the dust.

The next thing I knew, 
I was lifted up by a group of kind Filipino Soldiers, 
They brought me back to their camp alone, Yes alone, 
For my father had already died.

The next thing I did when I felt strong enough, 
Was to ask for a gun, 
And began fighting the enemy, 
Not only to avenge the death of my Father and Mother,

But also to die, if need be for, 
A free, and a democratic way of life.

Yes, Ladies and Gentlemen, 
There in Bataan I fought, 
And there in Bataan, I died.

That was 20 long years ago, 
Now, as I look around me 
I see my people fighting and killing one another,

I see them raping our own women, 
Butchering our own children, 
And destroying our own homes,

What possible power, 
Could have deprived them of this decency, 
That they would now violate 
The sanctity of our own women

What possible power, 
Could have twisted the hearts and the minds of our people, 
That they will now fight and kill each other.

In sheer desperation, 
I tried to blackout all of these things from my mind, 
But they all come back to me in all its painful 
And brutal vividness,

I hastened them to my Creator and cried out, 
“God, forgive them, for they know not, what they do.”

Let me get some excerpts of this essay and relate them to what is happening now. I may sound monotonous to my readers, but as it is, I'm asking myself some questions.

Can we not appreciate what is good? Can we not forgive? Can we not cease from the notion of always blaming others for the failures and guilt of our society?

Our heroes fought in Bataan against our oppressors and colonizers. What bothers me most is, nowadays, Filipinos are the very oppressors of their own compatriots. Can’t we love each other?

And while some have the tendency to join the camp of the enemies of our beloved nation, may God enlighten the lamp of patriotism within us and the love He had imparted to us as a people.

God bless the Philippines.

97 comments:

  1. Mas maganda talaga na hakbang ang magpatawad.
    Yung galit na wala namang kabuluhan na naipapasa pati sa mga nakababatang henerasyon ay destructive lang yun.

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  2. KING JAMES VERSION
    MATTHEW 6:14
    For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
    MATTHEW 6:15
    But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
    very well said!

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  3. God bless the Philippines. Amen!

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  4. Oh Filipinos, love each other. For who can we expect to love us.

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  5. Amen to that Mr. Controversy! May God bless our beloved country.

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  6. A timely blog for young Filipinos of today... Can we not appreciate what is good? Can we not forgive? Can we not cease from the notion of always blaming others for the failures and guilt of our society?-Mr
    controversy

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  7. Thanks be to GOD for another wonderful blog Mr Controversy.

    Though I have not experienced the regime of Marcos, I know how terrible it is to be brutally injured by fellow Filipinos but is it just for us to look into the future not the past.

    Let us therefore forgive and love each other.

    Thanks be to GOD.
    TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!

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  8. Thanks be to God to another wisdom and knowledge that He had given us. More power, Mr. Controversy!

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  9. Truly, may God bless the Philippines... May we learn how to be patriotic and help the president in making the Philippines a country to be respected... not a mockery to other countries. Sadly, it is the latter that is being done by giant media networks and some legislators who only think about their personal interest.

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  10. Name a great President who could have matched the supremacy and popularity of Stalin, Hitler, Thatcher and Gandhi? There has never been one in the Philippines except for President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos.

    If you are currently a college student , and is against Marcos, your best bet is to focus on Duterte's admibistration because your opinion about him will be subjectively based on what you hear and what you're inclined to believe. Analogy wise, your just feasting over the smorgasbord's leftovers , but your taste buds wants to convince you that it's the best A LA CARTE menu you have ever had. Because your monotonous opinion will only be about how the media feed you and how you want to merge with the beatniks - just to look like you know what you're talking about. But in truth, you don't have the preponderance nor the credibility to even say...I HATE MARCOS...because you can't possibly know what you're talking about.

    True, they have the right to rally and protesf to express their grievance. But exactly what are they rallying about? The burial of a great President in the Heroes Cemetery? Is it that really? Is it because it defies the spirit of the Edsa Revolution? Okay....does that mean that the Edsa Revolution justifies Cory's nor Noynoy's Presdency? Or isn't it true that whoever was behind your protest on Marcos burial issue were the same group that was behind protest on the Ramos, Gloria and AQUINO's presidency? Because in reality, the youth rallying today have no idea why they are rallying except for the fact that they were organize to have one , to fight for something they should not even really care about today. That all these is just a propaganda for you know what intention.

    The Philippines have went through enough. And our country have been to too many intricacies and political circus. It's high time we say....let's just let it go and get it over with. Because in truth, Marcos is Philippines hero, just as equal as NINOY was. Because heroism isn't about who...but all about why, regardless of the history they have been tagged with.

    Thanks Bro.Eli for this another unsurprisingly informative and heartwarming blog. It's time to forgive and time to remember that once upon a time there was this great Philippine President, who have screwed up in his last few months of his term but really made our country known for his greatness.

    TO GOD BE THE GLORY

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  11. Definitely make sense. Can't we not just forget and forgive?This should be read by youth so that they can understand more. Thanks be to God for this eye opener.

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  12. It breaks my heart hearing these educated politicians saying that the so-called dictator should be exhumed just to prove that he doesn't deserve to be buried in LNMB. Let's just accept that he is not a hero. But let him be peacefully entombed there! And these priests that is supposed to be teaching forgiveness are the ones leading and blessing these protests.

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  13. Thanks to God for this blog.
    Forgiving is forgetting any act that offended you. Trust God for rendering Justice in His time. Take bitterness off your heart, stay calm, move on. Live your life in peace and good conscience towards our fellowmen.

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  14. May Peace of God reign in our hearts

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  15. Great blog! I hope one day everyone will learn what forgiveness really means.g

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  16. Hi Brother Eli! What's the title of the piece that you presented in that particular declamation contest which you talked about? Thanks be to God!

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  17. FEM has reigned for more that a score, perhaps there was a mishap during the course of his regime, while an apparent development is quite overwhelming as well!.... Let's all forgive so as we will be forgiven.

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  18. God bless the Philippines especially His people! To God be the Glory!

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  19. Amen. Thanks be to GOD for this article

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  20. God teaches us to forgive, as He forgives us our mistakes and sins. As the saying goes, "To err is human; to forgive, divine."

    May we find the courage and power to forgive. Let us forgive so we can move on. Let us forgive so we can appreciate the good in others. Let us forgive so we can become one people. Let us forgive so we can start rebuilding this great Filipino nation. Let us forgive, so we can start to love again.

    #OnPatriotismAndForgiveness

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  21. "To err is human,to forgive is divine".All have sinned,and fall short to the glory of God.So let's forgive so we will be forgiven.To God be the glory!

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  22. Thanks be to God for this wonderful article! May God bless our country.

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  23. The institution that suppose to be the one explaining the essence of Christ's teachings on forgiveness is the one calling not to forget and not to forgive. I'm just sad these institutions mingle with politics.

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  24. I remmember when I was a catholic member when I attend during the midst of the mass the priest would usually say: peace be with, then we will respond "and also with you" after that the priest would say "let us tell one another as a sign of peace", but I realize without forgiveness there is no peace. And then I realize I feel ashame to myself that I am also a hippocrite… May this article guide us also what is hidden in our heart…

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  25. You cannot undo the past. May mga mas importanteng bagay na dapat paglaanan ng panahon ngayon. Forgive, forget, move on, focus on the essentials of the present time and support the government's good cause in making Philippines a much better country.
    A million thanks to God for this blog!

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  26. God will forgive our sins... if we can learn how to forgive those who sin against us.

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  27. kailangan bang may sumakop uli sa ating bansa na mga banyaga? para muli tayung magkaisa at mgatulungan at magdamayan? Nakita ko sa pahayagan, ang ngitngit na hangang sa ngayun ay daladala ng ilang matanda na di umano ay biktima ng rehimeng marcos. opo masakit sa lahat ng sakit ang sinapit ninyu, subalit hindi ba pwedeng ang sarili nyu naman ang pagtuunan ninyu ng pansin paanu naman kayu na hangang sa ngayun ay nagbabaga pa rin ang poot sa inyung mga dibdib? e anu kung ilibing si marcos sa lbingan ng mg bayani,e anu kung hangang sa ngayun buhay pa ang henerasyon nya. e anu kung hangang sa ngayun wala pang nabibigyan ng hustisya, hyaan nyu na! move on na po kayu! mabilis lang ang panahon lahat tayu may hanganan at mamamatay haharap tayu sa may Likha ng Langit at lupa na sya ding may likha sa atin, hindi ba ang mas importante ngayun ay ang mga sarili natin sa harap ng Poong Maykapal? Magpatawad na Please!Hayaan nyu na sila, kanila na ang politika inyu naman ang pag hahari ng DIOS!!! wag kayung magpadaya piliin nyu ang paghahari ng DIOS kasya Paghahari ng tao..

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  28. kung mauunawaan lang ng mga filipino ang tunay nagpapatawad kahit na masama pa ang ginawa ng isang tao mapapatawad mo ito.

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  29. As a Christian, forgiving is part of our daily lives...

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  30. A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.Proverbs 17:22
    #OnPatriotismAndForgiveness

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  31. I agree with Bro. Eli that the dispute between supporters of former Pres. Marcos and the yellow army of the EDSA Revolution seems to be never ending because of what is happening in our country today. In my opinion, political chaos and discontent among Filipinos occur because of the conflict between the law abiding and the non-law abiding Filipinos. The law abiding ones are contented with the implementation of martial law while the non-law abiding ones are not contented may be because their hidden agenda to fight democracy were affected by martal law.

    A Filipino patriot is a Filipino citizen who loves, supports, and defends the Philippines against her enemies and detractors. A Filipino compatriot is a fellow Filipino citizen but not necessarily a patriot if he is not a law abiding one.

    As Filipinos, let us love and forgive one another. Let us love, support, and defend our country against her enemies and detractors. Let us practice genuine patriotism. Let us all be law abiding Filipino citizens. Thanks be to God!

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  32. Sana huwag puro negatibo ang kuhain natin, ang isipin nalang natin kung paano natin matutulungan ang presidente sa mga suliranin na hinaharap niya sa pamumuno sa atin dito sa pilipinas.

    Tsaka matuto sana tayong mag patawaran sa mga kasalanan ng isa't isa, kasi ang tutulong din naman sa kapuwa pilipino ay kapuwa pilipino. hindi dapat tayo nag sasakalan na makakalahi.

    Salamat sa Dios sa blog na ito.

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  33. Cut down hatred and let peace through forgiveness grow.

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  34. God bless the Philippines
    #TheTruthCaster

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  35. As usual, another informative blog...Forgive to be forgiven...
    #OnPatriotismAndForgiveness

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  36. Such an enlightening blog.. forgiving is divine.. love is the key, for us to be free.. free from hatred & heaviness of the heart! Thanks be to God Bro.Eli for being an advocate of love and peace.. making our country a better place to live in. :-)

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  37. An enlightening blog indeed. This could change the hearts of some (if not many) of our fellowmen. I felt Mr. Controversy's sincerity and concern for the Filipinos. Thanks be to God for this piece of wisdom He bestowed upon us.

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  38. Thanks Be To God to this New Blog of Mr. ControversyX

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  39. God bless and heal this land. Thanks be to God for this blog!

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  40. God bless and heal this land. Thanks be to God for this blog!

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  41. Very well said bro. Eli. No wonder we Filipinos always missed the point because we're blinded by our pretentious "holier than thou" attitude taught by false pastors that equates false decisions.

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  42. A very timely blog for people spending and wasting their time in non-sense hatred of the past.Thanks be to God.

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  43. God thank you for forgiving our sins. Please teach us how to forgive those who have sinned against us and live a peaceful life...

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  44. Amen.let us forgive as God forgive our sin.

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  45. Forgiving is healing. May our people heartily learn how to forgive so that we can attain an everlasting peace. Bro. Eli, I believe, you are blessed by someone out there that we called our GOD. Salamat sa DIOS.

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  46. Wow. I love the declamation piece.

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  47. Every action there's always an opposite reaction. Whether physical, social, spiritual or may be in every aspect of life here or in the next life this law is true. I'm thinking of action that doesn't need to have reaction. Biblically there's one I believe, that's the law of love of which it's resting on the pinnacle faith and hope. If we are able to learn this wisdom we might be able to forgive and forget and let GOD makes the way of happiness to each of us.

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  48. May God bless the Philippines, Thanks be to God.

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  49. Kung yung mga Hapon nga eh napatawad na natin, ano pa kaya yung kapwa nating Pilipino. God bless the Philippines!

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  50. Thanks be to God! To God Be The Glory!

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  51. I John 4:7
    Let us love one another

    Thanks be to God!

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  52. Thanks be to God! May God bless my country.

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  53. Humility has no substitiute, to FORGIVE is to sow seeds of peace.

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  54. Thanks be to God! To God Be The Glory! ❤️

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  55. Bro, di nman kptawaran sa marcos issue, dpat ba ilibing dun o hinde

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  56. Forgive and forget. Move on Philippines. We are heading to true change.

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  57. Forgiving is Forgetting Someone Sins,
    God Bless The Philippines

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  58. it may be hard to accept, but forgive then forget

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  59. "Forgiveness & apology is not an option ;it's a commandment, it's a prerequisite for us to merit the forgiveness of our God." (^_^)

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  60. May God bless the Philippines! Salamat sa Dios!

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  61. A timely blog for young filipinos. Thanks be to God

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  62. As humans, we have the obligation to forgive others because we sin too.
    Instead of consistenly fighting, let us be humble and love one another.

    THANKS BE TO GOD for the reminder. Another well-written blog!

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  63. Walang maibubungang mabuti yong galit na galing sa pride,kasinungalingan at bunga lang ng personal interest lng ng iba. Magpatawad tayo mga kababayan para gumaling ang sugat ng bansa natin.

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  64. if you are a true christian you must be easy to forgive because our Lord Jesus Christ got harder experience on His life in this earth far experienced of martial law victims so let us forgive those who sins against us according to the Bible

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  65. No one can be more merciful and more forgiving than God. Let's always try to do what is good. Forgive and move on. Forgive and focus on the good things that we see every day.

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  66. Bakit po tyo di na lang maki ISA doon sino ang leader ng Bansa?At bakit naman I LANG sa inyo mag delta o Maka Sariling gawain?Tingnan mo ung Mabuting ginagawa na majority ang Marikinabang.

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  67. Can we not appreciate what is good? Can we not forgive? Can we not cease from the notion of always blaming others for the failures and guilt of our society?

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  68. Sabi nga sa isang kanta "Free your heart from hatred live a life of love" from the song entitled "God Will Always Make A Way".
    Hindi tayo mas marunong sa Dios . If we really fear God let us obey Him when He said " Vengeance is mine" (Romans 12:19 KJV
    Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.)

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  69. another Wisdom FRom the true Messenger Sent BY God!!!

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  70. thanks be to God!!!

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  71. ...the physician who cannot really forgive people who did him wrong even in his childhood days though he is an excellent student and belongs to the cream of the crop in medicine...he will tend to be a corrupt physician during his medical practice...huhuhu

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  72. ...obviously the person with a hateful heart, is working with us, living with us and even sleeping with us...let us forgive them and understand them...God knows what to do...

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