tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20435522690417249312024-02-24T21:44:56.950+01:00Journey of Hope..Events Diary Blog"The answer is Love and Compassion for all Humanity."
Bill Pelke, founderAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-41888787521812660412015-06-03T22:36:00.000+02:002015-06-03T22:36:23.378+02:00Letter to ClaudiaHi Claudia,<br />
<br />
Thanks for the email.<br />
<br />
I don't know the whole story yet and may never in its entirety.<br />
<br />
It is quite sad.<br />
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She did have good support, but something went wrong and she didn't reach out to the tons of people who would have helped her, including Monica Foster, who was Paula's appeals attorney while she was on death row. Monica was with Paula on Friday at the Indiana's Federal Public Defenders Office and everyone said she seemed to be happy.<br />
On Tuesday morning she killed herself. EVERYONE who knew her and was in contact with her said she was doing well. It is a total shock to everyone who knew her or knew of this case. It has been billed as the case that brought worldwide attention to the United States treatment of juveniles. The United States certainly at that point did not look like the human rights leader they proclaimed to be to the rest of the world. <br />
The United States looked very backward and uncivilized by many. <br />
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That attention and its momentum led to the United States Supreme Court ruling that states can no longer execute anyone for crimes committed under the age of 18. Those same human rights activists have used that same momentum that carried our friend Brian Stevenson to eloquently argue 2 cases on the same day in front of the US Supreme Court about Life without the possibility of Parole for Juveniles. They ordered favorable decisions. I had the privilege of sitting in on both cases. Paula Cooper's case started a lot of that momentum.<br />
Hers was a big case.<br />
Her life was spared, because of millions of people signing petitions, mostly in Italy, but throughout Europe and some from the US.<br />
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Amnesty International got involved. That was important. It was Paula’s case that got our friend Carlo Santoro of the Sant Egidio Community in Italy involved in the issue. As a high school student he signed a petition to spare Paula’s life and he has been involved ever since. He is now a great leader in Italy’s abolition movement. Carlo called me several times the day Paula died. He met Paula once while she was in prison, and once since she was released. <br />
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I have heard from so many people, mostly by Facebook, but it is hundreds and hundreds. And I try to respond to each comment. And a lot phone calls. Two especially heartwarming calls were from Diann and Renny. I was in tears as they talked with me. The beautiful Bishop Sisters both called and scores of others. Sister Helen called…and I cried some more. My breaking heart has certainly been smoothed by many, many people and yet, pain is still there.<br />
<br />
So many dreams: such a great shattering. I just need to find a better dream. I know I will mourn for a while. As a Christian I can picture Nana and Paula together wrapped in the loving arms of Jesus. I think this will help the mourning process.<br />
<br />
I wonder what they would want me to do next?<br />
<br />
I am determined to make something good of this. I believe a person with shattered dreams can dream again.<br />
<br />
We have been friends for many years because of the abolition movement. I have met some of the most wonderful people in the world doing this kind of work including to Nobel Peace prize winners, celebrities and thousands of people I consider friends, like you and Rich, and friends I have met along the journey.<br />
<br />
This is all because the state sentenced a fifteen year to die in the electric chair. Because she was sentenced to death, human rights organizations grew and began to work together. So something good may have happened because of the death sentence. <br />
But what damage did that do to the mind of a person who was already deeply troubled? Damage that led to her last act?<br />
<br />
It was wonderful to visit your home in Colorado last fall. Hope to see you on the Texas Journey of Hope’s World Day Against the Death Penalty Conference in October.<br />
Thanks for letting me vent,<br />
<br />
Since November 2, 1986 it has been a wonderful, remarkable, beautiful ride. And now this. I am still in shock, waiting to hear more about what might have gone wrong. <br />
<br />
Love to you and your wonderful husband Laird,<br />
<br />
Bill<br />
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<a href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/world-day-conference/">https://www.journeyofhope.org/world-day-conference/</a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-27030524519535621342015-06-02T20:36:00.001+02:002015-06-02T20:36:21.391+02:00Forgiveness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-51254468523043870172014-12-18T10:08:00.000+01:002014-12-18T21:50:49.620+01:002014 Africa Journey of Hope<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang=""><span lang=""><span lang=""><strong><span style="font-size: large;"> TEAM AFRICA 2014</span></strong></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang=""><span lang=""><span lang=""> <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Scott Langley Photography</span><br />
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<br />One month ago today I left Alaska, on behalf of the Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing, for a four week road trip. The doors were open for the Journey’s message of love and compassion for all of humanity. On November 5, the day after Election Day I headed to Amsterdam to meet SueZann Bosler and Bill Babbitt. <br />
<br />Bill Babu Babbitt and I looked forward to working with SueZann who is a Journey Cofounder on this African Journey in particular. We knew it would be a life changing experience for her. Babu and I were returning to Kenya and Uganda on the heels of our 2011 visit knew what would be in store for her. <br />
<br />The three of us would be in Kenya from the 6th to the 12th. I had been hoping that Marietta Jaeger would join us. Marietta is also a Journey Cofounder and has one of the most powerful stories on forgiveness I have ever heard. When Marietta maturated off the Journey board several years ago she was given an honorary “Lifetime Board Member” certification. She is the only person who has that distinction. Marietta had a fall about three weeks before we left for Africa and hurt her elbow and suffered several cracked ribs. Her doctor recommended highly that she not go. I had so wanted her to be there for so many different reasons.<br />
<br />Our events in Nairobi were pretty much Christian settings, mainly due to the fact that is where the doors were opened. The impetus of the Kenya trip was to watch Evangelist Martin Ndolo graduate from Diguna Discipleship Training. Babu and I met Martin in 2011 when we were visiting at the home of Pastor George Thiongo. <br />
<br />I had met Pastor George through the internet when he began a search to see what this “Journey of Hope” was all about” George is Pastor of Agape Bible Fellowship in the KWA REUBEN slums of Nairobi. The AGAPE church also hosts a school where students range from 4 years old to 8th grade. We spoke at his school and church in 2011. The Journey had gone to Uganda and while there we had received an invitation from the World Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty to go to Rwanda for an important conference upon leaving Uganda. In order to accomplish that it required up to a three day lay over in Nairobi and since I had an open invitation for the Journey of Hope team from Pastor George we spend three wonderful days with him at the school and church.<br />
<br />On the last day we visited George’s home for a meal with his family. Martin stopped by for a visit and before he left Martin asked Babu if he could pray for him. Martin said a powerful prayer for Babu and you could tell Babu was spiritually touched. They developed a strong relationship and Babu even helped put Martin through Bible School. It was important for Babu to see him graduate and it opened the door for the 2014 African Journey of Hope.</span></span></span></div>
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<span lang=""><span lang=""><span lang="">When my friend Carlo Santoro, of the Sant Egidio Community, found out the dates we would be in Kenya on this trip, he suggested trying to arrange for Kenya to have a Cities For Life conference while the Journey of Hope. The conference was held on the 10th of November to coincide with the Journey’s visit. For the official day of “Cities For Life” is November 30 and it was honored by almost two thousand cities this year. On the 30th SueZann went Rome and Florence, Babu to Madrid, Curtis to Rome and Bari and I went to Barcelona and Bari. </span></span></span></div>
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<span lang=""></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"></span></span><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;"></span></span><a href="http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?ref=SERP&br=ro&mkt=en-US&dl=en&lp=IT_EN&a=http%3a%2f%2fcittaperlavita.blogspot.com%2f2014%2f11%2fnairobi-non-ce-giustizia-senza-vita-per.html" target="_blank">This link is an article about the Cities for Life conference</a><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></span><span lang=""><span lang=""><span lang="">While in Nairobi we were invited by many of the staff to their homes. Diguna’s Director Hans Seppie and his wife welcomed us with a wonderful lunch and several others also provided breakfasts and lunches. Dinner was always available in the schools dining hall. We were truly welcome by everyone at Diguna. They definitely showed us their appreciation for us coming to Martin’s graduation. <br />
<br />During the course of events in an around Diguna, Martin told me he would like to join the Journey of Hope. I was thinking of how expensive it would be to fly him to the US sometime for a Journey. Martin’s story is not the typical abolitionists but one who as an Evangelist endorses the Journey of Hope’s message of love and compassion. Martin had learned from us a new way to look at forgiveness.<br />
<br />It suddenly dawned on me that for about $50 dollars we could get him a round trip bus ticket from Nairobi to Kampala, Uganda. He wanted to come so he became the tenth member of the Journey team traveling to Uganda.<br />
<br />SueZann, Babu and I flew to Entebbe, Uganda on the 12th, where we were met by Ronald Katongole. Ronald is our good friend that we met in 2011. He is Edward’s dearest friend, helper and manager of the Ugandan School project. He was the person I dealt with the most in coordinating the visit.<br />
<br />Curtis, Randy and Martin us over the next several days, and on the 15th Colleen, Rachel, Terri and Scott joined us to make us a team of ten.<br />
<br />Let the Uganda begin!!! </span></span></span><br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-68830084703168696962014-08-31T17:11:00.000+02:002014-08-31T17:11:44.502+02:00Two simple keys!!! <span lang="">The Journey of Hope…<i>from Violence to Healing</i> was published on my 56. birthday September 16, 2003. Although the timing was a coincidence, it was a wonderful gift for me. The book was named in the honor of an organization that I helped found. <br />
I wrote about the night that changed my life in "My personal Chaos" chapter 14 and "The Epiphany in the Crane" chapter 15. <br />
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By keeping two simple keys I have been on a long and exciting Journey. Two simple keys!!!<br />
November 2, 1986 was the night that changed my life and I will never forget it. I share with you from my book, The Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing. That night I felt like a miracle had taken place.<b> </b><br />
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What do you think?</b></span><dir><span style="font-size: small;"><b>
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CHAPTER 14 </div>
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My Personal Chaos</div>
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</b><i>…In the crane that night, I began to think about Nana, and the tears streamed down my cheeks. I had never really broken down and cried about Nana’s death, but now the tears were rolling. I asked God why He had allowed one of His most precious angels to suffer such a horrendous death. Nana was such a good person and she had died trying to serve Jesus. Why, Why, Why?<br />
Why did our family, a good family, have to go through the suffering and the pain, especially my father who still has scars that will never go away? Why, Why?<br />
Then I thought about someone with many more problems than I had. I thought about Paula Cooper. I pictured Paula on her bed, slunk against the wall of her death row cell. I pictured her looking upward, to no place in particular. Tears were coming out of her eyes. She was saying, "What have I done, what have I done?" <br />
She had ruined her life. For what? <br />
I pictured Paula being very much alone. I knew her parents had not come to her sentencing hearing and doubted if they were supporting her now.<br />
My mind flashed back to the day of the sentencing hearing when Paula was condemned to die. I thought about her grandfather being kicked out of the courtroom for wailing, "They’re going to kill my baby; they’re going to kill my baby." <br />
I recalled seeing him led past me on his way out of the courtroom, with tears streaming down his cheeks.<br />
Then I recalled Paula in the courtroom being led off to death row. Tears were streaming out of her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. And I remembered seeing Paula wearing a light blue prison that had dark blue blotches on because of her tears. <br />
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</i><b><div align="CENTER">
CHAPTER 15</div>
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The Epiphany in the Crane</div>
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</b><i>And then I pictured Nana.<br />
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I pictured her in the beautiful photograph that was always included with stories about her in the newspaper. But as I sat in the steel mill crane that November evening, there was one distinct difference between what I was picturing and the beautiful photograph. I pictured Nana with tears flowing out of her eyes and rolling down her cheeks. At first I thought they might be tears of pain, but I immediately realized that they were tears of love and compassion for Paula Cooper and her family.<br />
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</i></span><i><span style="font-size: small;">I knew that Nana would not have wanted the grandfather who wept, "They’re going to kill my baby!" to suffer through having his granddaughter strapped into the electric chair and electricity running through her until she was dead. I didn’t think Nana would want Paula killed for killing her</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">—</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Nana had let Paula into her in the house to talk about Jesus.</span><br />
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I began to think about Nana’s faith in Jesus, and I immediately thought of three things that Jesus had said about forgiveness. The first was His words from the Sermon on the Mount. <b>If you want your Father in heaven to forgive you, you must forgive others. </b><br />
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</b>Then I thought about Jesus talking to the disciples and Peter asking Him about the number of times that we should forgive someone. Jesus answered, "<b>Seventy times seven</b>." <br />
I knew that Jesus was not telling Peter that we should forgive four hundred and ninety times and then cease to forgive, but that Jesus was telling us that forgiveness should be a way of life.<br />
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And as I sat in the crane, I pictured an image of Jesus crucified on the cross. I pictured the crown of thorns dug into his brow. I envisioned His bloody hands and feet and the nails driven through them. I recalled what He said just before they killed him. Jesus said, "<b>Father, forgive them for they know not what they are doing."</b><br />
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</b>I began to think that Paula Cooper didn’t know what she was doing when she killed Nana. Someone that knows what they are doing does not take a twelve-inch butcher knife and stab someone thirty-three times. It was a crazy, crazy, crazy senseless act. I thought maybe the right thing for me to do is to forgive Paula. I told myself that I should try to forgive her.<br />
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Once again I pictured the image of Nana, tears rolling down her cheeks. There was no doubt in my mind that her tears were tears of love and compassion for Paula Cooper and her family. I felt Nana wanted someone in our family to have that same love and compassion. I felt the responsibility fell on me.<br />
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Even though I now realized that forgiveness was the right thing to do, I didn’t have a bit of love and compassion. I thought how brutal Nana’s death was, and I could see no way to come up with any love and compassion at all. But the tears I pictured in Nana’s eyes affected me greatly. I felt that if I didn’t try to generate some sort of love and compassion, then in the future, whenever I would think about Nana, I would feel guilty. <br />
Not knowing what else to do, as I sat in the crane cab, I started praying again. By now my tears were flowing like a river. I begged God, "Please, please, please give me love and compassion for Paula Cooper and her family and to do it for Nana’s sake." <br />
I started thinking about Paula. I could write a letter and tell her the kind of person Nana was and I could tell her about Nana’s faith in God and her love for Jesus. I thought I could tell her about God’s love and His forgiveness. I could also tell her that Jesus loved her and died on the cross for her.<br />
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At this point, things began to sink in. My prayer for love and compassion for Paula was being answered! And at that moment, I knew I no longer wanted Paula to die; I wanted to do whatever I could do to help her. <br />
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That night in the crane, I learned the most important lesson of my life: I learned the healing power of forgiveness. When God answered my prayer for love and compassion, the forgiveness was automatic. I knew I no longer had to try to forgive Paula, because the forgiveness had already miraculously happened. Forgiveness brought a tremendous healing. <br />
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It had been a year and a half since Nana’s death, and whenever I had thought about Nana, it had been very painful, because I always pictured how Nana had died. I pictured her butchered on the dining room floor. This was the same dining room where our family gathered every year for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, birthdays and other special occasions. Picturing Nana’s death had always caused me great pain and sorrow. But I knew that from that moment on, whenever I would think about Nana, I would no longer picture how she died. I would picture how she had lived, what she stood for, what she believed in and the beautiful, wonderful person that she was. I knew a miracle had happened to me and I knew that I would never forget how it came about. God gave me a tremendous peace, a peace that passes all understanding.<br />
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As I sat in the crane, I began to wonder why the change in me was taking place. I thought about the media involvement in Paula’s case. I thought I might do an interview with a journalist some time about forgiveness. I also thought I might write an article about forgiveness or that maybe someday, a Sunday school teacher would tell her class about the grandson who forgave his grandmother’s killer.<br />
I even thought about how Oprah Winfrey might be interested in a white man who forgave the black girl who killed his grandmother. I thought I might even write a book someday and it could be made into a movie to help support my grandmother’s issue of Christian education.<br />
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I began to think about family, friends and coworkers. I knew many would not understand the change I had just gone through. Yet, it was very important to me for my family to understand what had just taken place. I felt that it might take awhile, but since they were all Christians, I hoped they would eventually understand and agree. I knew my family had suffered greatly over Nana’s death and I knew Nana loved everyone in the family. I knew that whatever I would do on behalf of Paula that I would have to be careful and try not to hurt anyone more than they had already been hurt. I knew Nana would have wanted it that way.<br />
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</span><span style="font-size: small;">Before I left the crane that night, I made God two promises. The first promise was that any success that would come into my life as a result of forgiving Paula Cooper; that I would give God the honor and the glory. It wasn’t anything I had done</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;">—</span></span><span style="font-size: small;">it was because God had touched my heart. </span><br />
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The second promise I made was that any door that opened as a result of my forgiving Paula, I would walk through it. I had no idea what doors God might open as a result of my night in the crane, but I knew if one did, I would walk through it. I would deliver God’s message of love and compassion. I would talk about forgiveness. I would talk about healing. God would give me the words to say. He had promised me that in the Bible.<br />
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I had spent about forty-five minutes in the crane that night. The mechanics never did show up for their lifts. I walked down the fifty feet of stairs to the floor below. When I had gone up at the start of the shift, I was a defeated man. When I came down those same stairs forty-five minutes later, I felt victorious. I felt like a<b> </b>man with a mission! Xlibris Corporation<br />
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November 2, 1986 changed my life.</div>
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</b> The two promises I made to God that night I have kept. I give God the honor and glory for any success that has come into my life as a result of forgiveness. He touched my heart with love and compassion for Paula. I can’t take credit for that, I have to give Him the honor and glory. That is how I learned about forgiveness and the healing power that it exudes. I Praise God!!!<br />
God has opened the doors for me to speak to well over 5,000 audiences. I have never said no when asked to speak. <br />
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God has honored me in countless ways, but the organization Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing is a direct result of November 2, 1986. Someday history will reveal the Journey of Hope’s role in the world wide abolition of the death penalty. <br />
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The Journey of Hope is led by murder victim members who promote forgiveness and restorative justice. We reject the death penalty as immoral and inhumane. Death row family members, death row exonerees and other activists join our traveling Journey tours as we strive to put a human face on the issue of the death penalty. The Journey of Hope has gone through all the doors that have been opened to it always proudly carries the message of love and compassion for all of humanity<br />
Please Google or Bing the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing and see what God has done.<br />
Giving the honor and glory to God and going through the doors that God has opened are the keys to any success that I have had. <br />
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The Journey of Hope is going to Kenya and Uganda November 5-24. In Uganda we will help our dear friend Edward Mpagi launch UGANDANS AGAINST THE DEATH PENALTY. I believe this will be our most successful Journey to date<br />
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I just booked airline reservations were booked today for Bill Babbitt, SueZann Bosler and myself for 5 days in Kenya. We are going as missionaries to spread the seed of love and compassion for all of humanity in Kenya to a base of supporters we met on our initial visit in 2011. All three of us are murder victim family members. We will then go to Uganda where we will be joined by others for the Ugandan Journey of Hope. God has blessed the Journey of Hope with lots of love and understanding. When we get together it is like a family reunion. In Uganda we are planning to be joined by Scott Langley who is a professional photographer. Death row family members Terri Steinberg, Delia Meyers and Anne Stendall are planning to come. Curtis McCarty, a death row exoneree will be joining us along with Randy Gardner. Randy and Bill Babbitt (Babu) both lost their brothers to state sanctioned homicide. Marietta Jaeger lost her daughter to murder and Kristi Smith’s father was killed. Colleen Cunningham is taking vacation from her job at EJUSA to help keep us organized. Ron Carlson and his wife would like to come too.<br />
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And it is very clear we are coming to Africa with the message of love and compassion for all of humanity. This time we can take cameras on death row. We will be showing the human face of the death penalty and hope that the desire for love and compassion is stronger than the desire for revenge.<br />
We will help Edward abolish the death penalty in Uganda. <br />
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Thank you God for November 2, 1986, it was truly the night of a miracle.<br />
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Bill<br />
</span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-53945635064221783072014-05-02T00:15:00.001+02:002014-05-02T00:15:52.029+02:00Terri SteinbergTerri Steinberg is on the 2014 African Journey of Hope team. <br />
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I will never forget the day I met Terry Steinberg. It was during our 2002 annual Fast and Vigil (June 29-July 2) in Washington, DC. </div>
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Her 20 year old son Justin Wolfe had just been sentenced to death by the State of Virginia. Justin had been a high school football player and basically a normal, average, all American, suburban kid, and KABOOM, almost as if overnight, was on death row. It was the beginning a nightmare for Terri, her family and friends. When Justin became the youngest person on VA’s death row she cried the mother’s plea for help. A friend of hers told her about a group protesting the death penalty in front of the US Supreme Court in DC. <br />
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The next day Terri drove to DC. She was holding up a picture of Justin as she neared our group of people and tables. I could hear her crying and asking “how could anyone one want to kill her son?” She was beside herself. All of us at the fast and vigil gave her what support we could. A lot of what we did for her was to give her HOPE. She was touched by the people she met at the Fast and Vigil. <br />
She met exonerees. Terri is convinced Justin is innocent and this helped her to have hope and to be able to dream of the day Justin will be exonerated, and join us as a Journey of Hope speaker. What a beautiful dream. We hope it comes true.<br />
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At the fast and Vigil she also met murder victim family members who did not want revenge, but forgave and had compassion the way her Christian Catholic beliefs taught her. <br />
Whether Justin was guilty or not wasn’t the utmost issue to deal with. Terri needed help more than Justin did that day. By helping her we gave her Hope. And we became family.<br />
Each of us does what we do for our own reasons. <br />
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The reason why I devoted my life to the abolition of the death penalty is because of the Terri Steinberg’s of this world.<br />
Terri Steinberg is all the reasons why there should be no death penalty!!!<br />
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You know I believe in love and compassion for all of humanity, so of course it makes sense that I would love and have compassion for Terri.<br />
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Anyone who supports the death penalty is declaring loud and clear to me that they have no love and compassion for the Terri Steinberg’s of this world. This truly bothers me.<br />
I have copied a part of a testimonial Terri wrote recently honoring the Journey of Hope. Please read what she wrote and then I will add something about the terror, the never ending nightmare, the cruel and unusual punishment this thing called the death penalty, has inflicted on her. <br />
If we had compassion for Terri Steinberg there would be no death penalty. The answer is love and compassion for all of humanity. <br />
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With her testimonial you will get both our points of view. <br />
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<em>My name is Terri Steinberg. I live in Fairfax, VA with my husband and I am a mother of four wonderful children. I have worked in Labor and Delivery at the local hospital for the past 30 years. A community and school volunteer, I was your average ‘mom’ driving a minivan. I never gave the death penalty much thought because to me, it did not make any sense to kill another human being. But I also did nothing about it. That was then.</em><br />
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<br /><br />In July 2002, my oldest child, Justin Wolfe was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death for a crime he did not commit. Justin had just turned 20, and was the youngest person on Virginia’s death row. I was in shock and devastated, determined to ‘fix’ this horrible mistake, but I needed help. I did not know where to turn or how to begin to save my son’s life. Two days after he was sentenced, I got a call from a friend who told me there was a group of people protesting the death penalty on the front of the Supreme Court steps. I thought surely someone there would be able to help me, to guide me on what to do next. It was, at least a place to start. Little did I know how much my life would change.<br />As I ran up to the crowd carrying a picture of Justin holding his baby brother, I remember thinking these people must think I am crazy! I remember saying “Please help me. They want to kill my son. Does he look like a monster to you?” It was there in front of the Supreme Court that I first met Bill Pelke. But he did not treat me like I was crazy. He fully understood my pain; my desperation to find help. He embraced me in my pain, and told me about the Journey of Hope, from Violence to Healing. He told me there were many murder victim family members who opposed the death penalty in all situations. He introduced me to a man who had also been sentenced to death, but had been exonerated and I began to have hope that one day my son could be proven innocent and again be free. He told me they would do all they could.</em><br />
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<em>A short time later, Bill called me and asked if I would join him for the Journey of Hope in Ohio. He said he would take care of everything I needed; all I needed to do was to get on the plane and join him. I had children at home that needed to be cared for, so I told him I could not be away from them for 17 days, but he said he would love to have me join them for as many days as I could. <br />What was I thinking? I was going to get on a plane and go to a place I had never been before and sleep with a group of strangers? But I knew I had to open every door that came my way. I had to try everything I could to save my son, so I agreed to go. To be honest, I was not even sure I would recognize this man. I had only met him once. But as I got off the plane, there he was carrying a sign with my name on it, wearing a Journey of Hope t-shirt and a huge smile on his face. I immediately felt safe and among friends. I knew that this trip was one of the best decisions of my life. </em><br />
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<em>In Ohio, I met a mother whose son was on death row in Ohio, also wrongfully convicted. When I met her, she walked using a cane, her head hung low, and she seemed very fragile. During the 4 days I spent with this woman, I watch her begin to stand tall, give up the cane and find the strength to continue to fight for her son. I saw her again a few years later at a death penalty conference and I barely recognized her as she seemed whole again and was actively fighting for abolition, not only for her son, but for all on the row. I knew it was the Journey that gave her that strength. </em><br />
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<em>It is through the Journey of Hope that I, too found the strength and the hope to fight for my son. It is through Bill Pelke that I learned the power of forgiveness, and that love and compassion is the answer to the pain and suffering brought on by violence. Bill and the Journey has given me the strength to carry this cross and hold my family together. Through the journey I am able to give purpose to the pain my family suffers in the fight for their brother. I have been able to share my son’s story and hopefully make a difference in the lives of others so we will not have suffered in vain.</em><br />
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<em>This fight for my son’s freedom wears heavily on me and my family. Though my cross is a heavy one, my life has been richly blessed through my friendship with Bill Pelke. We have traveled together every year since 2003, and my spirit is renewed and at peace after each visit. I have no doubt that I would not be who I am today if not for the support and friendship of Bill. I know that my son would not be alive today if I did not have the strength to fight that comes from time spent with my “Journey family”, and I pray for the day that Justin can join us on a Journey of Hope. Bill gave me the hope that this can happen.</em><br />
<em><br />Sincerely,<br />Terri Steinberg<br />
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Terri shares this painful story over and over and over again. It is a nightmare roller coaster ride and it never ends. Pictures are worth a thousand words. You can see the agony as Terri speaks alone, and with Delia Perez Meyer at front of the steps of the United States Supreme Court during a Fast and Vigil event. Delia’s brother, Louis Perez, is on death row in Texas. Delia is also a member of the 2014 Africa Journey Team and her story will be upcoming in this blog as well as Therese Bartholemew, Marietta Jaeger, Scott Langley, Kristi Smith, Colleen Cunningham and Anne Stedell hopfully in the near future. <br />
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This is a powerful team. Look who has been introduced already. Two men, whose brothers were executed, Babu Bill Babbitt and Randy Gardner have seen the death penalty up close and personal. Curtis McCarty was exonerated from OK’s death row. Hey folks, on top of what all else is wrong with the death penalty, we make mistakes. Curtis will join Ugandan death row exoneree Edward Edmary Mpagi in letting everyone know that as long as human beings are making decisions about who lives and dies, we are going to make mistakes. When it comes to the death penalty there is absolutely no room for mistakes. <br />
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SueZann Bosler’s powerful witness was on the last post. I can’t wait for everyone to meet the rest of the team and to keep you abreast of our progress. Hopefuly scores of abolitionists will be able to join up our core group in Uganda. <br />
It is my belief and that of others that this 2014 African Journey will be a great event. I want this blog to be a history of that success! Of course everyone now knows why Terri is on the Africa Journey of Hope team.<br />
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AZ Death Row Exoneree Ray Krone and Terri joined me on a 22 day Journey of Hope in Germany in 2008. It was on that Journey when Terri got the news that Justin was going to get a new hearing. She was laughing, crying, shaking so much, that I literally had to hold her as she got out of the car in which we had been riding as she talked on the phone with Justin’s lawyer.<br />
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On the nightmare of the roller coaster ride it was one of the rare good turns. Justin’s case goes up and down in the system. As it does so do the emotions of those who love him and want justice. Terri will be in court next Monday on the 28th when they should announce his new trial date.<br />
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<a href="http://www.insidenova.com/news/local/article_730385fa-55f7-11e2-aab7-001a4bcf887a.html">http://www.insidenova.com/news/local/article_730385fa-55f7-11e2-aab7-001a4bcf887a.html</a>. This article highlights another day on the nightmare rollercoaster called the death penalty. Terri and her family were en route to the jail, 45 minutes from bringing her son, their brother home when the stay was issued. “I will never forget the looks on my family's faces.....” Terri has shared.<br />
Don’t we have laws in this country that forbid cruel and unusual punishment? <br />
Is not torture a human rights abuse?<br />
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Could you imagine the terror you would be going through if it was your son on Death Row?<br />
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Could you find yourself then seeking love and compassion? It is the answer.<br />
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Till next time, <br />
Peace<br />
Bill <br />
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We are family; Kathy Harris, Terri Steinberg & SueZann Bosler <span id="goog_1423526184"></span><span id="goog_1423526185"></span><br />
Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-55488769948003029772014-04-15T22:06:00.001+02:002014-04-15T22:06:55.426+02:00SueZann Bosler<strong>SueZann Bosler 2014 Team Africa</strong><br /><br />On December 22, 1986, SueZann Bosler and her father, Rev. Billy Bosler, were attacked in the church parsonage by an intruder. Rev. Bosler was stabbed 24 times. SueZann, in an effort to help him, was herself stabbed in the back and head and left for dead. While lying on the floor pretending to be dead, she heard the intruder ransack the house as she watched her father take his last breath. <br />As a Brethren minister, Rev. Bosler had been an opponent of capital punishment, and had once told SueZann that if he was ever murdered he would not want his killer to receive the death penalty.<br />
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On her father's behalf, SueZann worked for 10 1/2 years to spare the life of his murderer, James Bernard Campbell. She voiced her opposition to the death penalty throughout three trials and two sentencings. Her efforts put her at stark odds with Florida prosecutors and judges, who at one point threatened her with contempt of court if she revealed her views to the jury considering Campbell's fate. <br />
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<br />"Being able to point to him and express my forgiveness, was like having a weight lifted from my shoulders," she recalls. </div>
<br />SueZann devoted many years to seeking commutation of Campbell's death sentence. On June 13, 1996, her efforts were successful and his sentence was commuted to three consecutive life terms. <br />I met SueZann when we were guests on the Oprah Winfrey Show. It was a segment called “Forgiving the Unforgivable. We were in the second set and when it opened I was between Oprah and SueZann. Oprah introduced us to the audience and SueZann told her story. I was amazed as she told it, it was extremely powerful. When it was time for me to tell my story, I almost forgot that I had one.<br />
<br />After the program my cousin Judi and I were able to have lunch with SueZann and do a little shopping before she flew back to Florida.<br />We were reunited on the 1993 Indiana Journey of Hope through the efforts of Bob Gross who organized that inaugural Journey. That is also where she met Marietta Jaeger. In 1994 Marietta’s, SueZann’s and my story were the focus for the Discovery Channel’s documentary "From Fury to Forgiveness" narrated by Susan Sarandon. In 1997 SueZann, Marietta, George White and Sam Reese Sheppard joined me in the founding of Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing as a nonprofit organization.<br />
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<br />Not only is SueZann Bosler a Cofounder of the Journey of Hope, but after a short hiatus SueZann returned to the Board of Directors several years ago. SueZann has traveled internationally on behalf of the Journey and is often a guest speaker for the Church of the Brethren's program "On Earth Peace”.<br /><br />The First United Methodist Church Foundation of Anchorage, Alaska awarded the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing $2,500 for the 2014 African Journey of Hope. In 2013 the FUMC Foundation gave $1,000 for the Journey’s World Day Against the Death Penalty Tour in Indiana. The Pastor of FUMC, Reverend Ronald Myers is a great personal support, for me and for the vision of the Journey’s mission. He, along with other members of First United Methodist Church, knows the power of the Journey’s message of love and compassion for all of humanity. <br />Upon hearing the news of the award I told Pastor Ron about SueZann. He has met different people from the Journey but not her. I told him SueZann’s story. Ron has two young daughters not far from SueZann’s age at the time her father, a fellow minister, was murdered. I know he was touched by her story. I told him SueZann wanted to go to Africa and that the award would go for her travel to Kenya and Uganda.<br />
<br />He was touched, and pleased. <br />SueZann was, and remains elated. <br />SueZann is the first, of what we hope to be 8 more, to be able to join Curtis, Randy, Babu Bill and yours truly for the Africa Team of 13. George White and I have always called her Little Sister. It has stuck and she will always be our Little Sister. Not sure if she will go along with the Papa Bill tag or not. It might just stay at big brother. <br />
<br />I asked SueZann about her thoughts on going to Africa.<br />She told me she has been interested in going to Africa, ever since meeting Edward Mpagi and Ronald Katongole on the Indiana Journey of Hope last year. She told me that she had secretly wished that at some point in time she could go to Uganda and be involved in helping in any way she could. She loves the incredible work they are doing. She also recently reviewed some video of our visit to Edwards’s school in 2011 that is provided by Kathy Chism’s Dream One World. <a href="http://dreamoneworld.org/">http://dreamoneworld.org/</a> Kathy started the Uganda School Project and helped Edward build his school. <br />
<br />SueZann wrote this:<br />
<br /><em>“The images of those beautiful smiling faces I saw on the video was the final straw.”<br />“At first I was excited in sharing what I have experienced; my story, a message of forgiveness and my convictions in which have been strengthened by working with other “victim survivors” in addition to what I have learned about life, humanity, compassion and forgiveness. I quickly realized that I would not be just sharing/educating the Ugandans they will be sharing/teaching me about life, humanity, compassion and forgiveness.”</em><br />
<br /><em>“I not only wantto be there to reunite with old friends/colleagues I am eager to meet new allies. I personally want to be there to expand my inner passion of restoring humanity to those not only on death row, but victims (families & friends) on both sides. To merge worldwide organizations working together (strength sometimes comes in numbers), share our resources, to move toward something we all have in common, Our Universal Goal, to abolish the death penalty, violence, brutality and torture. We are coming closer to renewing life and hope, to those whose souls are being damaged, belief system broken-down, and hope trampled upon, and life taken with a stroke of a pen.”</em><br />
<br /><em>“I will be taking home a heart full of unconditional love, promise and compassion, with help of the humble spirits of Uganda, who will rejuvenate my faith in humankind.”</em><br />
<br /><em>“I already want to thank them for giving us the chance to be involved and empowered with Be the Change and Dream One World , we are truly blessed in assisting this to come true. “<br /> “I am so honored that the First United Methodist Church Foundation of Anchorage has awarded this Africa grant to the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing to help sow the seeds of love and compassion for all of humanity.”</em> <br />
<br />Amani <em>(Peace)</em><br />
<br />As I stated once before, a friend asked me to write how the African team of 13 came to be. I think this is one that needs no further explanation although there are many more reasons I could give. <br />
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<br /><br />SueZann is a hairdresser. If you live in the Fort Lauderdale area contact her through Facebook if you need a do <br />SueZann is the fifth member of the team to be introduced. Terri Steinberg is next. Then we will be half way there.<br />Please feel free to share this blog with others or make a comment in the provided box.</div>
<br />BWANA ASIFIWE <br />BillAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-81342739616551427212014-04-05T22:44:00.002+02:002014-04-05T23:12:05.163+02:00Randy Gardener and Curtis McCarty<div style="text-align: left;">
Today’s blog is about <strong>Randy Gardener</strong> and <strong>Curtis McCarty.</strong></div>
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Randy Gardner: <br />
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Randy’s brother, Ronnie Lee Gardner, was executed by firing squad by the good people of the State of Utah on June 18, 2010 after spending 25 years in prison. About six months after Ronnie’s death, Randy did a google search about the death penalty and called the Journey of Hope office. He told me he wanted to get active in the movement to abolish the death penalty. He wanted to tell people what he seen and what he had heard. He felt that if people really knew what was going on with executions, they would withdraw their support of this barbaric practice. One of the things Randy saw was the bullet holes in his brother’s chest. When he describes what he saw when he viewed the body and the way he forms his fingers picturing the bullet holes in the heart area, like the holes in a bowling ball, he puts himself right back to that moment. </div>
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It is a sight that he will never forget. <br />
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It is a sight that he hopes no other brother, sister or loved one has to see again. Ronnie Lee went through a transformation while in prison. He was guilty of the crime of murder, but he changed and did his best to pass on to Randy what he learned. He encouraged Randy to do the right things and impressed on him the importance of forgiveness. Randy told me he wanted to be able to help make a difference in the abolition movement and asked if the Journey could help him? Of course I said yes.<br />
We talked about the Abolition Action Committee’s Annual Fast and Vigil at the steps of the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC June 29-July2. I have been going since it began in 1994. Randy began to make plans to attend. When Babu Bill Babbitt and I started planning to go to Africa in 2011, I asked Randy if he wanted to go with us. <br />
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At that time, Randy’s daughter worked for an airline and Randy could fly anywhere that her airline or their partners flew. We just had to pay 10% of the ticket, and the tax. The trip to Africa opened a new world to Randy and he made the best of his opportunities. He did make a difference.<br />
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In 2012 I asked Randy if he was interested in joining the Journey of Hope Board of Directors. He was and the board unanimously elected him. I know that Randy has been a bit disappointed lately because of the lack of speaking opportunities. To have a powerful story to and not have a platform to share it can be very frustrating. I knew that a trip back to Africa is just what Randy needed, so I helped give him a boost. I knew that Randy is struggling financially. His daughter no longer works for the airline so we lost that perk too. I told Randy his expenses would be covered through the Journey or by me but that he was covered. <br />
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Another driving force that Randy also hits home with is how it affected Ronnie Lee’s daughter Brandi. Babu Bill and Randy both have nieces whose father was executed. It affected both daughters greatly when the state killed their daddies. Love and compassion for all of humanity applies to Desiree and Brandi too. If you have love and compassion for all of humanity you will not want to see anybody put into the death chamber and their life taken from them. It is impossible. Don’t kill anymore daddies. Don’t kill them; let the daughters visit their daddies in prison, not the death house.<br />
Randy is from Salt Lake City, Utah. One of the high ranking officials in the Mormon Church there took a special interest in his brother’s case. The Bishop’s counseling was a great source of inspiration, comfort and peace for Ronnie Lee. <br />
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Randy has 40 acres of land in a remote part of Utah that he plans a “Back to Basic’s Ranch” for troubled youth in Ronnie’s memory. Ronnie Lee was to say the least, a troubled youth. I hope the Journey will someday see him fulfill his “Back to Basics Ranch” dream.<br />
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I know the thought of going back to Africa has been very stimulating for Randy. He knows the answer is love and compassion for all of humanity. I love his philosophy. <br />
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One of my fondest memories of Randy in Africa at was at Edward’s school in Uganda. We spent one afternoon there and Randy was having the time of his life with all the children. Randy would be sitting in the grass with the kids playing with the kids, grinning ear to ear. The next minute he would be carrying one or two little kids around and showing them each love and affection. <br />
Randy is raring to take his message of love and compassion for all of humanity back to Africa. He knows we can, and will make a difference. <br />
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Bill and I selected Randy as 2014 Team Africa member number three and Curtis McCarty is number four. This is how we became the core of four.<br />
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Curtis McCarty:<br />
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<em> “I am free physically, but mentally I am not. I am always there and I am always with the men I left behind and the men who died there, men whom I am certain are innocent.”</em><br />
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Curtis McCarty was exonerated in 2007 after serving 21 years – including 19 years on death row – for a 1982 Oklahoma City murder he didn’t commit. McCarty was convicted twice and sentenced to death three times based on prosecutorial misconduct and testimony from forensic analyst Joyce Gilchrist. <br />
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When 18-year old Pamela Kaye Willis was raped, stabbed, and strangled in her Oklahoma City home on December 10, 1982, Curtis McCarty became a suspect because he was acquainted with her. Soon after the murder in 1983, forensic analyst Joyce Gilchrist examined hairs from the crime scene and found they did not match McCarty’s. Police interviewed McCarty several times over the next three years, but he was not arrested until 1985. During the three years of Police questioning, Gilchrist secretly altered her notes to declare that the crime scene hairs could have been McCarty’s. Attorneys for McCarty did not discover the change in Gilchrist’s notes until 2000, when she underwent investigation for fraud in other cases. When the defense requested retesting of the hairs, the evidence had either been lost or destroyed deliberately. Gilchrist, implicated in two other cases that sent innocent men to death row, was later fired from her job with the Oklahoma City Police department. <br />
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I met Curtis in San Jose, CA at the National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty’s Annual Conference in January, 2008. It was eight months after his exoneration and release from death row. <br />
I will always remember that conference. It was my fourth and final conference as Chair of the NCADP Board of Directors. They honored me with a plaque for my service to the board as Chair. Many of my Journey friends were present at this conference and it included a number of exonerees. It was there that I got to know about Curtis and the man he has become. Curtis is the first to admit that he had done some terrible things in his life, for which he is very sorry. He is very honest and transparent about his past life. <br />
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When he came to the conference he was amazed and thrilled when he realized that there were so many people in the outside world trying to end the death penalty. He had been unaware of that support while he was on death row. It was a matter of life or death for Curtis. He takes it very serious. Curtis was also intrigued with our message of love and compassion for all of humanity. <br />
Curtis joined us for the Montana Journey in 2008 and Texas in 2010, and we have traveled to Switzerland and Italy and several other ventures in Chicago and Texas together.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Exoneree Curtis McCarty with Angie Agapetus and Green Party candidate Art Browning on Texas Journey</span><br />
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Edward Mpagi and Curtis have a unified message,<em> “No matter where you live in this world, human beings are going to make mistakes, and when it comes to the death penalty there is no room for mistakes.”</em><br />
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Babu Bill Babbitt, Randy Gardner and Curtis McCarty have all been to Alaska on behalf of Alaskans Against the Death Penalty and the Journey of Hope. They have all stayed at my house at one time or another when they were here. They are my friends, I love them all dearly. What a great team to go to Africa with!<br />
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The four of us were the first to commit to going to Africa and we have asked the following nine people to join us: SueZann Bosler, Marietta Jaeger Lane, Therese Bartholomew, Kristi Smith, Terri Steinberg, Delia Perez Meyer, Ann Stendel, Scott Langley and Colleen Cunningham. They all want to come.<br />
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This is the African Team of 13 members.<br />
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Over the next several weeks I will be blogging about each of the nine and why they were asked to join us. If you can’t wait, feel free to google any of them.<br />
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The next blog will be about SueZann Bosler.<br />
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Peace, Bill<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Randy Gardner, Ronald Katongole, Babu Bill Babbitt, Edward Mpagi, Papa Bill Pelke in Rwanda 2011</span><br />
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-61740639592536427612014-04-01T23:05:00.000+02:002014-04-01T23:15:02.262+02:00Members of the Team Journey for Africa; Bill BabbittI was asked by a friend if I would write about how Team Journey for Africa was selected.<br />
When Bill Babbitt and I committed to going to Africa, things began to fall in place very quickly.<br />
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So first of all I would like to tell you a little bit about Bill Babbitt. <br />
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Bill Babbitt supported the death penalty until it came knocking on his door. Bill Babbitt turned his brother Manny over to the authorities when he realized his brother was involved in a violent crime. Instead of Manny getting the mental health treatment he needed the State of California executed him. Bill Babbitt watched his brother die in the San Quentin death house. Bill feels like he has Manny’s blood on his hands. Many have seen the picture of their mother Josephine at the execution vigil. That photo was on the cover of Capital Consequences: Families of the Condemned Tell Their Stories, a book written by Rachel King who was a friend of ours.<br />
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Bill joined us for his first Journey in Texas in 2005 and brought his niece, Manny’s daughter Desiree. In 2008 Bill committed to joining us on the Montana Journey of Hope. He received a phone call from someone inviting him to Jamaica for a speaking tour taking place at the same time as the Montana Journey. Bill had always wanted to go to Jamaica, but because he wanted to keep his word to me, he declined their offer.<br />
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The main reason Bill wanted to come on the Montana Journey in the first place was that David Kaczynski was also going to be on it. David gained international attention when he turned his brother in after realizing that his brother Ted could have been the Unabomber. Instead of getting the mental health treatment Ted needed the government decided to seek death. Ted ended up with a life without the possibility of Parole (LWOP). David befriended Bill and campaigned with Bill unsuccessfully to try and get Manny’s death sentenced overturned.<br />
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Bill and David became good friends and as a team of speakers they are the best. We have always referred to them as the Journey’s A Team. They were also together on several Texas Journeys and this past year in Indiana. <br />
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In 2011 my good friend Dirk Sisson said he would send me to Uganda with his frequent flyer miles when he found out Edward Mpagi had invited the Journey to help him in his lonely battle against the death penalty. In turn, the first person I called was Bill Babbitt and asked him to join me in Uganda by using frequent flyer miles I had accumulated during my travels.<br />
We met Edward’s friend Ronald Katongole in Uganda. Edward had suffered a stroke a few weeks before we arrived but did not tell us for fear we would not come. Edward knew that Ronald would take great care of us as host and he did. <br />
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Ronald is a wonderful young man. On this Journey Ronald will be our host, chief organizer and friend. The Journey of Hope has a special relationship with Ronald. We were able to bring him to Indiana last year to help Edward, who was sent to join us by the World Coalition to Against the Death Penalty at our request. <br />
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The 2011 African Journey also went to Rwanda and Kenya. <br />
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The trip to Africa changed Bill Babbitt’s life. Bill is a Christian man with a strong faith in God. He feels God’s hand is leading him back to Africa. Many in Africa call him Babu, a sign of honor.<br />
Babu feels that Uganda is very close to abolishing the death penalty. It is on the books, but it is de facto, because they have not used it since 1999. Bill feels like with a little nudge from the Journey that the death penalty in Uganda can be abolished.<br />
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Babu is going to Africa with the message of love and compassion for all of humanity. The death penalty is inhumane and if anyone is an eye witness to that fact it is Bill Babbitt. <br />
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Bill told me that since I took him to Africa the first time he would raise money and/or use his credit card to pay for the two of us to go. How could I say no? That is what I call an open door. With Bill and I committed to going, I knew we would have to make it another Journey of Hope. We both knew there would be something special about this Journey.<br />
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I told him I would raise and/or use my credit to bring Randy Gardner to Africa. Randy went in 2011 and it was a life changing experience for him too. Bill was 100% in agreement that it would be great to have Randy go again.<br />
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Randy and Bill have several things in common. Randy’s brother was also executed. Both executions drew wide media attention. Manny had been a hero in the Vietnam War and Randy’s brother, Ronnie Lee Gardner, was shot through the heart by a Firing Squad in the State of Utah.<br />
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A few days later after talking per chance with my friend Curtis McCarty, I told Babu that I would do the same for Curtis as I had pledged for Randy. Curtis is a death row exoneree like Edward. Curtis and Randy have powerful stories that give great witness the need for abolition.<br />
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I knew we had a great core of four to start the Journey with. In my next blog post I will share more about Randy and Curtis and how their powerful stories are an important part of the message we are taking to Africa.<br />
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I know we all have each other’s back. That is such a blessing.<br />
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In following blogs I will be sharing who the other team members and why they were chosen. We will all complement each other on team Africa.<br />
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Peace,<br />
BillAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-87969373997943246852014-03-28T22:29:00.000+01:002014-03-28T22:29:06.532+01:00Time to start blogging again!<span lang=""><br />
Hello everybody,<br />
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I guess it is time for me to start blogging again. Thank Angela Grobben for your blogging help. <br />I will be blogging about the November 2014 African Journey of Hope for everyone interested. <br />Today’s blog is for team Journey<br />
<br />Team Journey has 13 members: <br />Anne, Therese, SueZann, Colleen, Kristi, Terri, Delia, Marietta, Scott, Curtis, Randy, Babu Bill, and me Papa Bill<br />
<br />Colleen is constructing a fundraising page on Facebook and Therese is working on several other fundraising methods. This is for all thirteen of us and will be used on the Journey website, Facebook and other sources. You will be able to share your link with any of your friends. We want each of you to come.<br />
<br />I am convinced we have a great team. I have been asked how this team was selected. The answer is simple. When I put out the notice that the four of us (Babu, Randy, Curtis and myself) were going to Africa, you were the first ones who responded with definite interest in joining us. Most of you indicated you needed financial help. We are going to help you all to try raise the funds you need in order to be able to go.<br />
<br />When Kristi Smith let me know she was definitely interested I was aware that the list was at thirteen people. I said “that is enough. It is a great team, I hope they all go”. That is all I can justify to the JOH Board as far as obligations, for me personally and for the organization. <br />Other people may join us in a second group, but they will be totally responsible for all of their expenses although we will help them in other ways.<br />
<br />Colleen needs your information for the Facebook page. See what she has done with Delia and Therese’s segment. <br />
<br /><a href="https://www.causes.com/campaigns/75414-send-journey-of-hope-speakers-to-africa-november-2014?new_post_id=904483">https://www.causes.com/campaigns/75414-send-journey-of-hope-speakers-to-africa-november-2014?new_post_id=904483</a> <br />
<br />I am a member of the First United Methodist Church in Anchorage, Alaska. Some years ago some of its members began the First United Methodist Church Foundation. The foundation awarded the Journey $1000 for the 2013 Indiana Journey of Hope’s World Day Against the Death Penalty Tour. This year I requested $2500 for traveling expenses for the African Journey of Hope. On Saturday I received a check for $2500. This award was designated to SueZann Bosler to enable her to take her powerful story to both Kenya and Uganda. SueZann is Journey of Hope Cofounder and also a sitting board. We are estimating about $2500 for those going to Uganda and $3000 for those going to both. <br />Here is what we know so far.<br />
<br />Kenya:<br />The reason we are going to Africa in the first place was because Babu wanted to watch Evangelist Martin Ndolo graduate from Diguna Bible College on November 8.<br />I talked with Martin today by Facebook SKYPE. While we are in Kenya, we will stay in college dorm rooms. It is clean and a very reasonable price. I have the name of their director I need to contact about speaking venues. <br />
<br />Pastor George Thiongo was the reason we went to Kenya in 2011. He has an elementary school and church in the slums of Nairobi and we are more than welcomed back there.<br />
<br />Carlo Santoro, a great friend from Rome has informed us that the community in Nairobi also wanted to have a service with us. We expect more events to come up. All Team members that are going to Kenya, will fly to Entebbe, Uganda around March 5. Ronald Katongole will rent a van and drive us to Kenya. We return to Uganda around the 12th where the rest of team will join us. We will be in Uganda until the 24th. A few may stay longer.<br />
<br />Uganda:<br />
<br />I have noticed that on flights to Uganda, JFK New York a round trip ticket was something like 850 for a round trip. For most people going it might be much cheaper to book through JFK when the time comes.<br />
<br />You will need to make sure you have a current passport. For those wishing to go to the death rows in Uganda need to have a copy of your passport that we can send to Edward Mpagi to apply for visits. Because we want to bring cameras they want us to apply 6 months in advance. Please send me an electric copy of your passport ASAP. If you have an idea on how many days you will be with us please indicated that also.<br />
<br />During our Uganda stay the guys will stay at Kathy Nicolas’s home, two with Kathy and her friend (Marietta and SueZann most likely) and the rest at an apartment nearby that Bill Babbitt has volunteered to pay for.<br />
<br />I at least want to try to use this blog to communicate so please feel free to add your comments and we will see how it works.<br />
<br />I am very excited about us going to Africa with a united message of love and compassion for all of humanity. We are going to continue to spread good seed.<br />
<br />I am going to be posting more about Edward Mpagi. He is the hero in all of this. We need to help his voice be heard. We will stand at his side and we will have his back. I would like for us all to know his story well. We will also speak in high schools and colleges while in Uganda.<br />
<br />Thank you for being part of the team.<br />
<br />Have a wonderful day. Bill<br />
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-9902244035058810342014-03-27T21:51:00.002+01:002014-03-27T21:51:40.166+01:00African Journey of Hope<h1>
African Journey, November 2014</h1>
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We are planning a trip to Kenya and Uganda this November!</div>
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After an incredible trip to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya in 2011 we are going back! We will visit schools, churches, and prisons - it is sure to be an amazing experience and opportunity to share the message of the Journey of Hope!</div>
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Support our efforts!</h3>
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More details will be forthcoming, for now, we greatly appreciate your support in terms of prayers, positive thoughts, and if you are able, financial contributions.</div>
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<a class="internal-link" href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/donate-now/" target="_self"><b>Support the African Journey of Hope with a donation today!</b></a></div>
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We have heard interest from many Journey of Hope speakers to attend and expect to have at least a dozen make the trip. Already, <a class="internal-link" href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/bill-pelke/" target="_self">Bill Pelke</a>, <a class="internal-link" href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/family-of-the-executed/bill-babbitt/" target="_self">Bill Babbitt</a>, <a class="internal-link" href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/family-of-the-executed/randy-gardner/" target="_self">Randy Gardner</a>, and <a class="internal-link" href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/exonerated-from-death-row/curtis-mccarty/" target="_self">Curtis McCarty</a> are confirmed to attend. We've been blessed by gracious hosts and accomodations once we arrive, but airfare will be expensive. <b><a class="internal-link" href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/donate-now/" target="_self">Any help you can give is most appreciated!</a> </b></div>
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African Journey blog post from Bill Pelke</h3>
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For more information about the 2011 African Journey, and details about this year's trip, click here to read a <a href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/african-journey/billsletteraboutafricanjour/" target="_self">letter from Journey of Hope co-founder and President Bill Pelke</a>.</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-49490522647963126762013-12-27T22:43:00.001+01:002013-12-29T23:07:57.853+01:00<span lang=""></span><span style="font-size: medium;">The Journey celebrated its 20. anniversary this year by doing an Indíana Journey of Hoe Tour and Conference.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">The first Journey of Hope began at my house in Portage, Indiana in 1993.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">we honored the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty and their Project," World Day Against the Death Penalty."</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">This was the 11. annual World Day Against the Death Penalty. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">We called this year`s Journey of Hope " World Day Against the Death Penalty Tour".</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">It began on October 4 and we journeyed around the state, sharing our stories until October 29.<sup> </sup></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""><sup> </sup></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We did something this year we had never done before as part of the Journey. We organized a World Day Against the Death Penalty conference October 10-13 while we were in the Indianapolis, the state capital. We began with a press conference in the capitol rotunda on October 10 to commemorate World Day Against the Death Penalty. Nick Hess, Producer of WCTY channel 16 news in Indianapolis sent me a link of the entire conference. This is great to have for our archives. <i> </i></span><a href="http://indianapolis.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=cdaf9e55-896c-1031-9706-22318e376968"><i><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">http://indianapolis.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?publish_id=cdaf9e55-896c-1031-9706-22318e376968</span></span></sup></i></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Journey of Hope web site link </span><a href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/on-tour/annual-journeys/2013-indiana/conference/"><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">https://www.journeyofhope.org/on-tour/annual-journeys/2013-indiana/conference/</span></span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> details the weekend long conference in depth.</span></span></sup><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">It was a great conference. Many great people were involved and I had a lot of help with the organizing. Colleen Cunningham, </span><a href="http://ejusa.org/"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Equal Justice USA</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> was the chief organizer and the main reason the conference was so successful. </span></span></sup><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">As I am sure you heard, Paula Cooper was released from prison in June after over 28 years in prison. I did interviews that were aired around the world. </span><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/17/justice/death-row-freedom/index.html"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">CNN</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">, </span></span></sup><a href="http://www.democracynow.org/2013/6/19/sister_helen_prejean_bill_pelke_on"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Democracy Now</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">, </span></span></sup><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/passport3a-american-bill-pelke-on-forgiving-his-grandmother27/5044138"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">A</span></span></span></sup></u></a><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/passport3a-american-bill-pelke-on-forgiving-his-grandmother27/5044138"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">BC</span></span></span></sup></u></a><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/drive/passport3a-american-bill-pelke-on-forgiving-his-grandmother27/5044138"><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> National News Australia</span></span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">, </span></span></sup><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23716713"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">BBC</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">, </span></span></sup><a href="http://www.redletterchristians.org/bill-pelke-wants-the-best-for-his-grandmothers-killer-paula-cooper/"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Red Letter Christians</span></span></span></sup></u></a><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">,</span></span></span></sup></u><span style="font-size: medium;"> a </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-P6bkhApNk"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">YouTube composite</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> and </span></span></sup><a href="http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/06/16/indiana-woman-given-death-sentence-at-16-to-be-released/"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">CBS News Chicago</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> were some of the better ones. Unfortunately I have not heard from Paula Cooper since she has been released. It is almost 6 months now and I am quite surprised and disappointed. I visited with her 15 times while she was in prison and for the last two years we exchanged mails every week.</span></span></sup><br />
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I have heard rumors that she has been taken in by a support group and is doing well. I am happy about that because I was quite concerned about how she would do upon her release. I understand that she wants to further her education. I was told that she wants to avoid media and fears that associating with me would bring unwanted attention. I have been approached by the Piers Morgan Show, Travis Smiley and Cornel West Show, Restorative Justice Groups and many others who want to talk to both us so I understand her fears and concerns about the media. <br />
</span><span style="font-size: medium;">I was in Madrid for the 5th World Congress Against the death penalty June and was able to talk about </span><a href="http://www.worldcoalition.org/bill-pelke-journey-hope-indiana-paula-cooper-death-penalty-abolition-forgive.html"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">love and compassion</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> there. I stopped in Indiana on my way back to Alaska. I had planned for years to meet her at the gates of the prison when she was released, but shortly before Paula got out she told me her mother was picking her up and her mother didn’t want me to be at the prison so I agreed not to go. I was hoping to hear from her as I visited with my children and grandchildren in Indiana the following week, but have not heard from her since. </span></span></sup><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I just finished a 12 day tour in NE Italy for the Community of Sant Egidio and their </span><a href="http://www.santegidio.org/pageID/3/langID/en/itemID/8203/Cities_for_Life_worldwide_cities_with_a_commitment_lights_testimonials_and_the_dream_of_abolishing_the_death_penalty.html"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Cities For Life</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> Project. I often spoke three time a day, cumulatively to more than two thousand high school students; I spoke at prayer services, a </span></span></sup><a href="http://www.triesteallnews.it/index.php/cronaca/5226-trieste-citta-contro-la-pena-di-morte.html"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">press conference</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">, a home for the elderly, at a college, etc. Here are some links from my trip to Italy. </span></span></sup><a href="http://www.oggitreviso.it/node/75440"><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">http://www.oggitreviso.it/node/75440</span></span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">, </span></span></sup><a href="http://cittaperlavita.blogspot.com/2013/11/treviso-e-citta-per-la-vita-e-illumina.html"><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">http://cittaperlavita.blogspot.com/2013/11/treviso-e-citta-per-la-vita-e-illumina.html</span></span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">, </span></span></sup><a href="http://www.oggitreviso.it/no-alla-pena-di-morte-75597"><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">http://www.oggitreviso.it/no-alla-pena-di-morte-75597</span></span></sup></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">, </span></span></sup><br />
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</span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><span style="font-size: medium;">My friend Delbert Tibbs </span><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/08/us/delbert-tibbs-who-left-death-row-and-fought-against-it-dies-at-74.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">passed away</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> from cancer on November 23. Delbert was on the first Journey of Hope in Indiana in 1993. He was a member of </span></span></sup><a href="http://witnesstoinnocence.org/"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Witness to Innocence</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">. He will be missed. </span></span></sup><br />
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><u></u></span></span><a href="https://www.journeyofhope.org/news/past-news-archive/news-archive-details/artikel/edward-and-ron/"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Edward Mpagi and Ronald Katongole</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> were able to come to the Indiana Journey of Hope thanks to the WCADP. After the Indiana Journey the three of us went to visit Kathy Chism of </span></span></sup><a href="http://dreamoneworld.org/"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Dream One World</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">. I am a Global Advisor for Dream One World and Edward’s school is one of their projects. Edward and Ron did not go back to Uganda</span></span></sup><a href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.621435804584683.1073741828.121965021198433&type=1"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang=""> empty handed</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">.</span></span></sup><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I also had an opportunity to travel to Washington DC in November to attend the annual conference for the </span><a href="http://fairsentencingofyouth.org/"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Campaign </span></span></span></sup></u></a><a href="http://fairsentencingofyouth.org/"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">for the Fair Sentencing of Youth</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">. I am also on their advisory board and it was a great highlight that closed the conference. There was a panel of 7 men that were sentenced to life without parole when they were juveniles. Each was released for one reason or another and each of them have become respectable citizens and are doing great things in their communities. It was great to hear each of them speak. </span></span></sup><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">There was a lady there I had met before by the name of </span><a href="http://vimeo.com/32526818"><u><sup><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><span lang="">Mary Williams</span></span></span></sup></u></a><sup><span style="font-size: medium;"><span lang="">. She was with a man, Israel Oshea, who as a juvenile killed her son. Mary forgave him and they travel and speak together now. Their story is very powerful. I told Mary I was jealous. </span></span></sup><br />
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If Paula Cooper would have been there with me, I don’t even know if I could have spoken. I think I would have cried every time I would open my mouth.<br />
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More later, Peace, Bill<br />
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<br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-73357311916093338902013-04-30T11:16:00.000+02:002013-04-30T11:16:04.548+02:00Indiana Tour updates<div class="aktDatum">
Tuesday, April 30, 2013</div>
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Monday, April 29, 2013 16:38 Age: 19 Hours <br />
<a href="javascript:linkTo_UnCryptMailto('jxfiql7ZfiiXGlrokbvlcElmb+lod');" >By: Bill Pelke</a><br />
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Join the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing in Indiana October 4-20, 2013 </h1>
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Monday, April 29, 2013<!-- 16:38 --><br /><a href="javascript:linkTo_UnCryptMailto('jxfiql7ZfiiXGlrokbvlcElmb+lod');">By: Bill Pelke</a></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #00b050; font-family: Pristina; font-size: 22pt; line-height: 115%;">Join the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing in Indiana October 4-20, 2013 as we celebrate our 20 year reunion with the World Day Against the Death Penalty Tour!!! </span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">October 10<sup>th</sup> is </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.worldcoalition.org/worldday.html" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: #00b050;">World Day Against the Death Penalty</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">. The purpose of World Day Against the Death Penalty </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">is to raise awareness on the inhumanity of the death penalty throughout the entire process, from sentence to execution. </span>World Day is a project of the <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.worldcoalition.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">World Coalition to Against the Death Penalty</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">. </span>The Journey of Hope is proud to be affiliated with the <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.worldcoalition.org/worldday.html" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">WCADP</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">whose mission is to mobilize for universal abolition.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty, is an alliance of more than 135 NGOs, bar associations, local authorities and unions. The WCADP was created in Rome on 13 May 2002. The aim of the World Coalition is to strengthen the international dimension of the fight against the death penalty. Its ultimate objective is to obtain the universal abolition of the death penalty. To achieve its goal, the World Coalition advocates for a definitive end to death sentences and executions in those countries where the death penalty is in force. In some countries, it is seeking to obtain a reduction in the use of capital punishment as a first step towards Abolition.</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing will be returning to Indiana in commemoration of the 20<sup>th</sup> anniversary of our first Journey in 1993. It is with great honor we dedicate this Journey of Hope tour to the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty. </span> <br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The Indiana Journey of Hope tour is October 4-20. We will travel the state with powerful Journey story tellers. </span>The Journey tour will lead to Indianapolis, the state capital for an Oct 10-13 World Day Against the Death Penalty conference. After the conference Journey speakers will resume their speaking tour throughout the state of Indiana. <br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The Journey of Hope is very grateful to the </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.indianaabolition.org/index.php/home-page" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Indiana Abolition Coalition</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> for hosting these events. </span>It is our goal to help strengthen the IAC, so that they will continue to grow after we have departed. We will plant the seeds. Everyone is invited to join us for this special World Day Against the Death Penalty Conference and you are also welcome to travel with as we tour. <br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/family-of-the-executed/bill-babbitt/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Bill Babbitt</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/activists/david-kaczynski/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">David Kaczynski</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/bud-welch/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Bud Welch</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.witnesstoinnocence.org/exonerees/randy-steidl.html" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Randy Steidl</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/death-row-family-members/terri-steinberg/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Terri Steinberg</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/family-of-the-executed/randy-gardner/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Randy Gardner</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/george-white/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">George White,</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/suezann-bosler/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">SueZann Bosler</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/pub/therese-bartholomew/39/4a1/701" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Therese Bartholomew</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.witnesstoinnocence.org/exonerees/shujaa-graham.html" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Shujaa Graham</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/ruth-andrews/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Ruth Andrews</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/rev-walt-everett/"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Rev. Walt Everett and his wife Nancy</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">along with many others have committed to joining this reunion tour. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.charlieking.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Charlie King and Karen Brandow</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">will grace us with song, love and compassion once again. </span>Charlie was with us on the first Journey back in 93 and has been on every major US Journey since then,<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.mvfhr.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Murder Victim’s Families for Human Rights (MVFHR)</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.mvfr.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Murder Victim’s Families for Reconciliation (MVFR</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">), </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.witnesstoinnocence.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Witness to Innocence</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.pfadp.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">People of Faith Against the Death Penalty(PFADP)</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">,</span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.ejusa.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Equal Justice USA</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.phadp.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty (PHADP)</span></b></a></span><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">, </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">and<b><span style="color: #00b050;"> </span></b></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><a href="http://www.worldwithouthate.org/" target="_blank"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">World Without Hate</span></b></a></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"> are co-sponsors of the Reunion Tour and Conference. </span>Let me know if you or your organization would like to be a co-sponsor or participant. <br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Conference highlights include a press conference in the rotunda of the state capitol on October 10, , plenary and workshop sessions, a festival of films, great speakers, good music, informational tables <span style="color: black;">and an awards banquet on Saturday evening. </span></span><br />
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<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">The Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing will use the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty’s “World Day Against the Death Penalty” as a highway to deliver our message of worldwide abolition to the state of Indiana. </span></b> <br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Our message is “Love and compassion for all of humanity”. </span>We show and tell that message with real people and real stories. The Journey of Hope is led by murder victim family members who say in unison “N0 MORE KILLING IN OUR NAME”.</b> <br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Forgiveness is the core of Journey members who share the loss of their loved ones. We will continue to promote forgiveness and its healing power. This time around we are going to restorative justice on a pedestal for all to see. </span>It is the alternative to retributive justice.</b> <br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Hope to see you on the Journey.</span></b> <br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Love and Peace, </span></b> <br />
<b><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Bill</span></b> <br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">Bill Pelke, </span>President, Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing <br /> Bill@JourneyofHope.org 877-924-4483 Office 305-775-5823 Cell <br /><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="color: #00b050;">www.journeyofhope.org </span></b></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt;">PO Box 0390, Anchorage, AK 99521-0390 </span></div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-53519473841901340552013-04-25T09:43:00.002+02:002013-04-25T09:43:25.004+02:00The Indiana Tour, Oct. 2013<span class="userContent"><div class="text_exposed_root text_exposed" id="id_5178de32195f05105459861">
The Journey of Hope is going to Indiana Oct 4-20, 2013<br /> Join us.<br /><br /> April 24, 2013<br /><br /><span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show"> Dear Mr. Pelke and Members of Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing,<br /><br /> The Indiana Abolition Coalition is proud to welcome the Indiana Journey of Hope “World Day Against the Death Penalty Tour” October 4 – 20, 2013. We commend you and the Journey on this 20th Anniversary of the first Journey of Hope which took place in Indiana in 1993.<br /><br /> We are also pleased that the Indiana Tour includes a World Day Conference in Indianapolis, Oct 10 – 13, which coincides with the World Day Against the Death Penalty, happening world-wide on October 10, 2013. <br /><br /> Together the listed co-sponsors, the speakers, the films, and workshops promise to offer a very powerful and strong “witness” to the national and international dimension in the fight against the death penalty.<br /><br /> The Indiana Abolition Coalition extends a warm welcome to you and to all who will be attending this critically important event in October.<br /><br /> Yours sincerely,<br /><br /> Doris Parlette, Acting President<br /> Indiana Abolition Coalition</span></div>
</span>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-35016122708967628172013-02-08T14:03:00.001+01:002013-02-08T14:03:59.662+01:00So, everything went just as expected?<span style="font-size: small;">
</span><span style="font-size: small;">February 5, 2013
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<b><br />
So everything for Super Bowl Sunday everything went just as expected.<br />
</b><span style="font-size: small;">Yeah, Right!<br />
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Just as Kathy and I were leaving for church on Sunday morning the phone rang. It was Dirk. Something had come up and it needed his immediate attention and there was no way he and Barb would be able to come. Dirk is a neighborhood activist as well as a leading business man in Anchorage, AK. A neighborhood problem had arisen because of unwarranted cutting down of trees destroying the beautiful landscape that nature has provided for their neighborhood in Stuckagain Heights, one of the most gorgeous places in Anchorage, Alaska. Dirk will not rest until it is solved. <br />
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Since Dirk couldn’t come I decided to keep the Alaskan King crab legs for another time. We had plenty of food without them. Dirk loves crab legs. We will just have to have another party.<br />
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Okay, four for dinner, Dale and Joan, Kathy and I instead of six. I talked to Dale at church and we agreed to start at five thirty instead of five. Right at five the door-bell rang. I was still in my sweatpants. I thought Dale and Joan had come early. It was Rich.<br />
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He left the other party when the lights went out in the Super Dome. He figured that was a good time to leave, since he would not miss any of the game while they were waiting for the lights to come back on.<br />
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Dale and Joan came about 40 minutes later. We watched the rest of the game. It was a close game and the 49ers made a good comeback attempt. Congratulations Baltimore Ravens.<br />
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Reece came after the game was over with a delicious pastry fruit pie.<br />
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Reece and Dale were finally able to meet in person. I am so happy. What a joyous occasion it was to introduce these two wonderful people to each other and to be able to do it at my house, on behalf of the Journey of Hope. <br />
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It is now Tuesday evening and I leave tomorrow for South Carolina where I will be mom sitting while my sister takes her grandson to look at a college in Florida. And she needs a vacation. This was scheduled even before my father died last month. It has been years since Dottie and Frank have had a vacation where they could be away from responsibilities for a while. They both need it.<br />
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I arrive in South Carolina on Thursday, several days before they leave. As fate would have it, I will be in Columbia the same time as the final taping in production of a documentary called "<b>There will be no stay</b>" takes place her in Columbia. It is being produced by Patty Dillon and she has asked me to join them for an interview to talk about the Journey of Hope. Many members of the cast will be in Columbia for the final filming. <b>There will be no stay</b> is "A journey of compassion and consequence through a process shrouded in secrecy. Two executioners’ lives intersect on a path to discovering freedom from their own personal prisons." My interview takes place on Saturday, shortly before my sister Dottie is scheduled to leave for Florida.<br />
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It is exciting to me that the Journey of Hope will get some national exposure from this film.<br />
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Then after about 10 days with my mom, I will leave her once again in the hands of my sister Dottie. <br />
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I will be flying to Paris, France on behalf of the World Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. The Journey of Hope is part of the program planning committee for the 5. Congress Against the Death Penalty conference in Madrid, Spain in June. <br />
I will spend two days in planning sessions for the congress on behalf of the Journey of Hope. <br />
The planning committee is led by Sandrine Ageorges Skinner of France, who has joined us in Texas for the 2010 Journey.<br />
Her husband is on death row in Texas and we are fighting to save his life.<br />
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On Feb. 20 I leave Paris and head to Indiana in preparation for the Feb 22-March 10 Indiana Journey of Hope. <br />
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The Journey planner for these events should be fired. <br />
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Sometimes I wish I could fire myself but …the Journey of Hope must go on.<br />
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We have some really good events, but not as many as I had hope for yet. I have put out a desperate plea for help and know there will be some help in getting more events. There are many who believe in love and compassion for all of humanity and in the healing power of forgiveness and want to help us get the message out. <br />
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Our journey continues.<br />
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I still want to blog about the 20th annual fast and vigil coming up in June, the 5th World Congress in Madrid, the upcoming Indiana Journey and Paula Cooper’s release in July and about my dreams and hopes for her.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Stay tuned, we have a chance to win the $25,000 Fetzer Award </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.tellusworld.org/entry/journey-hopefrom-violence-healing">http://www.tellusworld.org/entry/journey-hopefrom-violence-healing</a> <br />
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Judging for best video ($5000) prize takes place Feb 14-28. We should know by the first of March what nonprofit group win both the $25,000 for the <b>Tell us world </b>award and the most loved video.<br />
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Say a prayer and keep your fingers crossed. <br />
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Peace, Bill</span><br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-70476959219674345692013-02-06T20:58:00.000+01:002013-02-06T20:58:23.763+01:00Life goes on for the living...<span lang="">February 2, 2013<br />
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And life goes on for the living. <br />
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It is not really a Super Bowl Party, but friends are coming over tomorrow during the Super Bowl game. In fact when they come the game will be halfway over, the set will be on and but I am not so sure about the volume. I don’t most of my friends coming over even care about the game. The two who do care about the game will start out watching it at other venues. They both have traditions of going somewhere else on Super Bowl Sunday and watching the game. Journey of Hope board member Reece Roberts will be watching the game with friends and is coming over after the game and meal with desert. We wanted her husband Michael to come to but he with his son in Arizona this weekend. Rich Curtner, Federal Public Defender for the State of Alaska will be here too. He is also coming a little late because he watches the game with a group of friends each year at another friend’s house. <br />
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I know that Reece is a long time San Francisco 49er fan and is really pulling for them.<br />
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When the 1985 Chicago Bears won the Super Bowl I knew that it would probably be the greatest sports thrill of my life. I continue to cheer for the Bears even though my heart has been broke a few times. Again this year I had high hopes for the Bears and as the season progressed my hopes got higher. I was in California when the Bears played the 49ers on a Monday night football game. I was able to watch it on a huge movie screen for free in the theater room of our timeshare. When I went into the room, the game was about to start. There were less than ten people in the room so I had a great choice of seats. This was the first time I ever watched a football game on a movie screen. It was beautiful, the game was so much clearer than the small screen I am used to. I felt like I was in football heaven. <br />
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Heaven did not last long that Monday night. The Bear’s let me down again. Not only did they lose to a new and inexperienced quarterback; they lost in a horrible fashion. At that point the Bears went from a shoe in for the playoffs, to not even getting there. When the Bears missed getting into the playoffs on the last day of the season, head coach Lovie Smith was fired. <br />
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I liked him. He was a popular coach. He was a good coach and well respected. He had a winning record, and even took them to the Super Bowl once. <br />
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So right now football is not all that important to me but I would like to see San Francisco win. I actually picked the 49ers at the start of the season to win the Super Bowl. Then the Bears came on strong, oh well, we have been through that.<br />
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Another thing the 1985 Bears have been and will always be: Healers<br />
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So why would I have a Super Bowl Part on Sunday?<br />
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I want Reece Roberts and Dale Kelley to meet. Dale is one of our newest board members. She recently retired as a pastor of a neighboring church here in Anchorage minister and moved to the Seattle, Washington. I think she spent about 17 years in various cities here in Alaska as a pastor. She was the director of Alaskans Against the Death Penalty before I moved here. In my 13 years here I have only known her as a preacher. <br />
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Dale is failing her retirement. She was called by the Alaskan United Methodist Church Conference to come back to Alaska for 3-4 month to fill the pulpit as interim pastor at First United Methodist Church of Anchorage, AK. <br />
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That is my church. <br />
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Dale Kelley is coming to my city and to my church. What an opportunity this is for the Journey of Hope. From the moment I heard Dale was coming I have been overjoyed. I pray a lot a lot over the years and I think Dale is an answer to many of those prayers. <br />
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What is one man’s blessing can be another man’s pain. <br />
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Our pastor, Ron Myers was in a horrible car accident a few weeks before Christmas. It happened on the second Sunday of Advent.<br />
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I will always remember that because Ron had asked Kathy and me to light the candles and do a reading during the morning service. After the service Ron gave two homeless people who had been hanging around the church, a ride to Girdwood, a beautiful 45 minute drive from Anchorage. They asked Ron for a ride, where they claimed would be on the way to a new start. <br />
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Ron, who is a Good Samaritan, tried to help the people, gave them a ride and as a result was involved in a horrific head-on collision. Ron is lucky to have survived. It took a long time to extricate Ron from the totaled car. He broke his right hip in two places and crushed the bones in his right leg. I didn’t know about the accident for about four days. <br />
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It was mentioned in the paper but no names were given. . I went to see Ron the next day the hospital and he was a real mess. I called Kathy as soon as I walked into the hospital lobby. Telling her what I had just seen brought tears to my eyes. But each time I see him now he looks much, much better. More about Ron later. <br />
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Dale Kelley, new Journey of Hope board member gets a call from headquarters, and now she is my interim pastor. I have been trying to get Dale and Reece together for the last month. For one reason or another each of the three previous attempts always found someone not being able to make it, usually last minute stuff.<br />
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I leave Alaska for 5 weeks on Wednesday and I wanted them to meet before I left. I asked my great friends Barb Hood and Dirk Sisson to join us too. They are the greatest. They are the greatest Journey of Hope supporters in recent years. We are going to have great company and great food. Since I will be gone from Alaska for so long I am making it also a bit of a bon voyage gathering. Chilled Jumbo Shrimp, Alaskan king crab legs, filet mignon, deviled eggs, smoked salmon and other culinary delights, not to mention my famous macaroni and cheese. <br />
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It will be a royal meal for royal people. I love them all. <br />
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Super Bowl night highlight will be when Reece meets Dale. Two wonderful people, who are Journey board members, will meet each for the very first time. I want that moment to be memorable occasion for all of us. <br />
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The Journey of Hope is getting ready to spring forward and we have in place the board we need to keep us on course. Dale and Reece are part of that team.<br />
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I can’t wait till tomorrow, not for the game, but for the Journey. </span><br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-1331929631840422482013-01-31T09:49:00.001+01:002013-01-31T09:49:21.496+01:00Fetzer Awards to NGO`s Furthering Love and Forgiveness<span lang="">Friends, in the last blog I mentioned exiting days ahead for the Journey of Hope.<br />
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One of the most exciting things about the Journey of Hope for me began when I came across an article called:<br />
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Anybody that knows me or the Journey knows that would get my attention. The article can be found at: <a href="http://www.fetzer.org/our-work/projects/fetzer-awards-ngos-furthering-love-forgiveness"><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang="">http://www.fetzer.org/our-work/projects/fetzer-awards-ngos-furthering-love-forgiveness</span></span></a><span style="font-size: small;"><span lang=""> and I have copied it here.</span></span><br />
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The Fetzer Institute is creating a tangible incentive and recognition for non-governmental organizations whose work furthers love and forgiveness--a pair of $25,000 awards and exposure via a global, web-based competition. Asking, "What in the world are YOU doing?" the program will honor an NGO within the United States and one from elsewhere in the world. <br />
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The purpose of the activity is much broader than just identifying a pair of recipients, said Fetzer Board Chairman Rob Lehman. "There’s a whole invisible community that’s already doing the work," Lehman said, "and part of our role is to make that community visible."<br />
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Philanthropy defined means "love for humanity," so there’s certainly no shortage of worthy candidates. The event seeks nonprofits who demonstrate "the joyful giving of oneself to transform other people’s lives."<br />
</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Information on the international, web-based awards is available at </span></span><a href="http://www.tellusworld.org/"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang="">http://www.tellusworld.org</span></span></span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang="">.</span></span></span><br />
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The competition is part of the Fetzer Institute’s broader effort to build awareness of the power of love and forgiveness in the emerging global community. As such, organizers hope submissions will demonstrate the connection between love and action by these groups, and the fostering of forgiveness by the work itself. Entries will be displayed online in a Global Gallery of videos, photos, and other information for the perusal of web visitors and judges.<br />
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Deadline for submission is Jan. 31, 2013, with public voting open from Feb. 1 until Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14. A panel of judges from the Fetzer Institute and its NGO Advisory Council will select the winners of the $25,000 awards to be announced in March 2013. A third prize of $5,000 will go to the entry that receives the most love from the online voting process.<br />
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"I think they can help us round out our understanding of love and forgiveness in ways that we could not dream in a million years," added Fetzer CEO Lawrence E. Sullivan.<br />
</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">This is a project of the </span></span><a href="http://fetzer.org/our-work/projects/fetzer-advisory-council-non-governmental-organizations"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang="">Fetzer Advisory Council on Non-</span></span></span></span></u></a><a href="http://fetzer.org/our-work/projects/fetzer-advisory-council-non-governmental-organizations"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang="">Govermmental</span></span></span></span></u></a><a href="http://fetzer.org/our-work/projects/fetzer-advisory-council-non-governmental-organizations"><u><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang=""> Organizations</span></span></span></span></u></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang="">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">Journey of Hope board member Anne Feczko wrote the application explaining the Journey philosophy of love, compassion and forgiveness for all of humanity. Emmy award winning Micki Dickoff produced an excellent 5 minute video with the concept of love, compassion and forgiveness cleverly woven throughout. </span></span><a href="http://www.tellusworld.org/entry/journey-hopefrom-violence-healing"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang="">http://www.tellusworld.org/entry/journey-hopefrom-violence-healing</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span lang=""> </span></span></span><br />
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I would like for the Journey of Hope win the award of $25,000 dollars and I think we have a chance, but you could help us win the third prize $5000 for the entry that receives the most <b>love</b> from the online voting process.<br />
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Could you share this with your network friends? $5,000 would be such a wonderful blessing.<br />
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Info on the upcoming Indiana Journey of Hope Feb 22-March 10, the 5 th World Congress in Madrid, June 12 - 15, the annual Fast and Vigil, June 29 -July 2 in front of the US Supreme Court and so much more, hopefully soon.<br />
</span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">I would like to give a public thank you to Micki Dickoff and Probono Productions for presenting the Journey of Hope when we were at our best. We are at our best when we are talking about love, compassion and forgiveness. Micki, YOU are the Greatest, and I know that you are most loved. I hope your film is too. NESHOBA is one of Micki’s works </span></span><br />
<a href="http://neshobafilm.com/">http://neshobafilm.com/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">And friends, please help us win the most loved award.<br />
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Please share this with your friends. <br />
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Till next time, <br />
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Love and Peace, <br />
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Bill</span><br /></span><br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-50408983521105168912013-01-27T11:33:00.004+01:002013-01-27T11:33:59.270+01:00<span lang=""> January 22, 2013<br />
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Hello again,<br />
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I had a goal of doing a lot more writing for the blog this year but it has been some days since I have written. <br />
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My father, Robert C. Pelke joined his personal Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ on January 10<sup>th .</sup><br />
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He is now a part of that great host of witnesses in Heaven above.<br />
I offered an eulogy at his funeral. I have copied it here.<br />
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I am on an airplane headed from Alaska to South Carolina. My father is dying. He had a major stroke about 12 hours ago and is in a coma and they say he will not come out of it. He is 93 years old. I hope I get to South Carolina and see him before he dies. But it is more than likely he will be in Heaven with his creator by the time I arrive. I want to see mom and I want to see my sister. Dottie has been the perfect sister in my eyes, helping take care of mom and dad these many years. I am so grateful for everything that Dottie and her family have done for them. <br />
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I always knew that someday I would get that call, but I wasn’t ready for it. When I saw my niece Kim had called I was hoping it was about my scheduled upcoming trip to Prosperity, SC next month when I was to parent sit for mom and dad because Dottie and her daughter Kim are taking Sean, Kim’s son to Florida to look at a college he is likely to attend next year. I often expected bad news when I would see Kim’s number, esp. if it was unexpected call. Kim is the one who always passes on to me medical news about mom and dad.<br />
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The message was that dad had a stroke.<br />
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Kim’s brother Scott is a family doctor in the Columbia area. I talked to my nephew about six hours ago and he told me that it was just a matter of time.<br />
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So, I have been thinking a lot about my dad the last few hours. My dad has been good man. He loves his family and he loves his God. He will soon be in God’s presence. I will soon be saying Father, into thy hands I commend my father’s spirit<br />
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I was so looking forward to parent sitting. I have so enjoyed the visits I have taken to see my mom and dad. The added bonus is that they live with my sister Dottie and her husband Frank and all her kids and grandkids live nearby, except Andy who lives in California. <br />
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My dad loved to listen to books that were on tape. He especially loved mysteries and Parry Mason was one of his favorites. I used to just sit on the couch and listen to them with him for hours at a time. <br />
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He could not see well. He only has peripheral vision. He would tell people that he could see everything but what he was looking at. For football games he would sit in a wheel chair that sat ride to the side of the TV. He could see the different colors of uniforms and see them moving. He really loved to see the movement and hear the announcers describe the plays.<br />
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My dad was a faithful man. I don’t know for sure but would bet my dad was at church last Sunday. He was always there. I am sure that whenever his pastor saw dad wasn’t there, he knew that something was wrong. My dad has been extremely faithful to every church he has attended. <br />
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I was so proud to post on facebook back in September how my parents had celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary. I didn’t think or want it to be their last. I have had so many thoughts of my dad today it would be impossible to recall them all.<br />
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But he is a good man, and his father Oscar was a good man before him. Both men were highly respected at work, church, community and in the family. Granddad and my dad were two excellent examples that God placed in my life. I thank Him for that.<br />
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On a terrible day in 1985 my father found my grandmothers body the day after she had been brutally stabbed to death. I watched my father during the wake and the funeral. He greeted people, talked with them and prayed with them. He was the son that my granddad raised him to be. I don’t know how he was able to do it but I was never so proud watching how he carried himself during that horrible time. <br />
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I do know the last thing I said to my dad was "I love you dad." That is how I ended every phone conversation. On this occasion it was on Christmas day. He responded by saying "I love you honey". <br />
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There is so much I want to say to him. I had planned on filming conversations with my dad on my I-phone and spending hours talking about his life history. I mostly was looking forward to hearing stories from him, but there were a few things I had wanted to talk about for years and thought I would get that chance next month.<br />
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When I arrived to the hospital in Columbia my father was still alive. I was able to spend the last two and one half hours of his life with him. I am so grateful to have made it there before he died. <br />
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I did find out that my dad had attended church the Sunday before he died. In fact he attended the morning and evening services. Yes, that was my dad, a faithful at the age of 93.<br />
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On Monday night he watched the National Championship Bowl game when Alabama Crimson Tide beat his long time Purdue rivalry Notre Dame. He enjoyed the game immensely, went to sleep that night after the game and never woke up again.<br />
</span><span style="font-size: small;">Dad was greeted by the words of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, "Well done thou good and faithful servant:" E</span><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;"><span style="color: #001320; font-family: Arial; font-size: small;">nter you into the joy of your Lord."</span></span></span><br />
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I thank God for the hundreds of prayers and best wishes that were sent my way. I felt your tremendous support and gathered strength that was needed to get through those extremely difficult days.<br />
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I will end this with full intention of writing much more soon about the Journey of Hope and what we are trying to accomplish in the near future. It is very exciting. At this moment I am very encouraged and I will be sharing with you why.<br />
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Peace, Bill</span><br /></span><br /></span><br />Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-91782986423262731672013-01-06T20:22:00.000+01:002013-01-06T20:22:48.450+01:00Cruel and Unusual<span lang=""><strong><u><span style="font-size: large;">Cruel and Unusual</span></u></strong><br />
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I met Terri Steinberg in front of the US Supreme Court during the 9 th Annual Fast and Vigil against the death penalty in 2002. Terri’s 20 year old son Justin had just been sentenced to death by the state of Virginia. Terri was beside herself. She did not know what to do.She read about a group of people protesting the death penalty at the US Supreme Court and came to us looking for help.<br />
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We are doing all we can to help her, and Terri has become a valuable member of the Journey family.<br />
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Terri joined us for her first Journey of Hope tour in Ohio in 2003. She has participated in Journeys in Texas, Montana, Kentucky, Virginia and even Germany.<br />
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She has become a leading spokesperson for abolition of the death penalty. Virginians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (VAADP) has taken on Justin’s case and is working with Terri in her efforts to save Justin’s life.<br />
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Could you imagine having a son on death row even if he were guilty? We are convinced that Justin is innocent.<br />
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Justin was convicted of murder for hire. A young man named Owen Barber admitted that he had committed the murder, but was told he could escape the death penalty if he testified that Justin hired him to commit the murder. To save his own life, Owen testified against Justin. Owen was sentenced to 33 years in prison and Justin was sentenced to death. Justin has always maintained his innocence.<br />
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Cruel and Unusual<br />
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It has been a terrifying roller coaster ride for Terri. Ups and downs and ups and downs!!! A few years back Owen Barber admitted he lied in court against Justin but they could not get a court hearing to get the new evidence introduced. These were dark days.<br />
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I was with Terri in Germany on the day she saw a full ray of sunshine that brought her out of the depths of darkness. She received a phone call from Justin’s lawyers saying Justin’s appeals would be heard in court.<br />
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The hope I saw in Terri that day was more than wonderful. It was such a high for her. She cried and laughed and shook for about a half an hour. I am glad I was there to hold her. It had been so dark but she was seeing things in a much clearer light. Ray Krone, Terri and I were doing an 18 day tour in Germany in 2008 for Susanne Cardona and the German Coalition Against the Death Penalty.<br />
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On Christmas Eve a Federal Judge ordered that Justin be released by 5:00 pm on January 3, 2013 and banned prosecutors from trying him again. Terri’s response when asked how she felt about that news, said "the best Christmas present ever".<br />
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On Wednesday the 2nd the Chantilly Patch headline was "Judge: Justin Wolfe to be released Thursday" When a reporter asked Terri what would she do first with Justin? She said "feed him". Go mom.<br />
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I have never met, written or talked to Justin but I am aware that he loves the Washington Redskins. One of the few joys he has had on death row is when the Redskins win. I have come to find myself cheering for the Redskins so Justin can have some joy. The Skins have had a good year.<br />
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Terri was ready to have Justin come home. At about 3:00 PM on Thursday I saw this message sent out by VAADP.<br />
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UPDATE: Justin Wolfe Expected to Be Released Thursday at 5 p.m.<br />
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Once sentenced to death row, Chantilly man may soon be freed from custody.<br />
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The U.S. District Court and the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals have denied the Commonwealth's appeals regarding Justin Wolfe.<br />
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Without intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court, Wolfe is expected to be released at 5 p.m. today By Dusty Smith Chantilly Patch 2:40 p.m. Jan. 3<br />
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What wonderful news this had to be for Terri. She always has maintained that she will not get too excited until she walks away from the prison arm in arm with Justin. She knows the system has let her down before.<br />
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Two hours to go. When I received this news I was very happy for Terri. I began to check on Google for a link on this story to copy for our facebook page. Then I saw this headline.<br />
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Justin Wolf’s release halted after appeals court intervenes.<br />
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Terri was 2 hours away from holding Justin in her arms. You can read more about it here.<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Cruel and Unusual<br />
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What Terri and her family are going through is cruel and unusual punishment. If any member of the US Supreme Court had a mother in the same situation the death penalty would be declared no longer legal. They would recognize that it is cruel and unusual punishment for the family. What did Terri do wrong? Does she love her son too much?<br />
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When will this barbaric act come to an end?<br />
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The eighth amendment to the constitution PROHIBITS the federal government from imposing cruel and unusual punishment. Someone should take this case to the US Supreme Court in Terri’s Steinberg’s name. To put a mother through this can only be described as cruel and unusual.<br />
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Terri has become a leading spokesperson for the Journey of Hope. She is pictured at a Journey of Hope event in Virginia last year hosted by VAADP and emceed by their ED Steve Northrup.<br />
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Today, January 5th is Terri’s birthday. She did not get the birthday gift she dreams of, Justin’s freedom. The state of Virginia is still trying to kill her son. Happy birthday Terri, we wish Justin could have celebrated it with you.<br />
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-9904714061603121962013-01-01T17:33:00.002+01:002013-01-01T17:33:32.481+01:00Happy New YearJanuary 1, 2013<br />
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Happy New Year,<br />
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Most of my waking moments are spent thinking about the Journey Of Hope. <br />
This year I am making a resolution to write more about the Journey of Hope.<br />
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The Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing will have an interesting year. <br />
We are applying for a prize from the Fetzer Foundation that I think we have a good chance to win. There will be one twenty five thousand prize grant given to a nonprofit in the USA. If we win that the<br />Journey will go to places we have never been before.<br />
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In December the Journey of Hope expanded its board to eleven members.<br />
Prior to 2012 we had 7 members. With our board election the Journey now has in place the most powerful board of directors in our history.<br />
Ans speaking of History, 2013, is the twentieth anniversary of the Journey of Hope.<br />
In 1993 the Journey of Hope traveled through the state for 17 days on its inaugural events.<br />
The Journey isreturning to Indiana, February 22 to March 10. We are looking to returning to Indiana again in October with even more speakers and events.<br />
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For me, my work began in Indiana in 1985, when my grandmother was killed by high schools in Gary, Indiana.<br />
Paula Cooper, who was 15 years old at the time of the crime, was sentenced to death becoming the youngest female on death row in this country.<br />
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On the night of November 2, 1986, my life was transformed. <br />
I went from supporting the death penalty sentence to campaigning to have her death sentence overturned. <br />
It was commuted in 1989 on the automatic appeal that is given to all death row sentences. <br />
I learned the lesson of the healing power of forgiveness. It became my mission to spread the seeds of love and compassion.<br />
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I have spread the seeds of love and compassion in 15 countries and about 40 states.<br />
2013, will be different for me, in that Paula Cooper gets out of prison on July 17. I intend to be at the gates of the prison when she gets out.<br />
I believe in restorative justice. I want to help restore Paula to her place in society.<br />
I have friends that want to help.It will be a very interesting year.<br />
I have been told in places I have spoken the last few years like Germany, Belgium and Italy that they want Paula an I to come to their countries and organizations.<br />
It will be interesting to see what Paula wants to do when she gets out.<br />
Paula is not the same person who committed that terrible crime in 1985 and I want people to see that she has changed.<br />
The people in Europe worked hard to save Paula`s life.<br />
It would be so cool to be able to go with her and let the people who worded so hard, see what their work has accomplished.<br />
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The Journey of Hope has been asked to be one of the organizations on the working committe for the 5th World Congress Against the death penalty. <br />
The conference will be in Madrid, June 18 -20. Just yesterday I was asked by a friend and Journey supporter if I needed help to get to Madrid.<br />
When I said yes, he offered to fly me to Spain. Happy New Year!!!<br />
<br />
2013 also brings us the 20th annual Fast and Vigil June 29 - July 2. If we get the grant I mentioned earlier I hope that all of our board members can attend a face to face board meeting in DC and do some work stategizing on how the Journey can be an even bigger impact on worldwide abolition of the death penalty.<br />
This would be fantastic and much needed.<br />
The grant is Fetzer Compation for NGO`s working on Love and Forgiveness, Call for Entries ( Win 25,000 dollars, open to orgs around the world)<br />
I think we have a good chance.<br />
<br />
We are about love and forgiveness.<br />
We will know on February 14, who the winner is. We have a five minute video prepared for this and we are working on a 500 word synopsis. We would appreciate your prayers.<br />
Award winning producer Micki Dickoff prepared the video and Anne Feczko, one of our new board members is working on the written part.<br />
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In January I will head to Omaha, Nebraska for an interview on a documentary called:<br />
"There Will Be No Stay"<br />
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It looks to become an exciting year.<br />
<br />
Bill Pelke<br />
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<a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/">www.journeyofhope.org</a>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-36386010665599525852012-11-19T22:01:00.000+01:002012-11-19T22:01:56.948+01:00Indiana Journey of Hope 2013<h1>
Back Home Again In Indiana</h1>
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Monday, November 19, 2012 <!-- 20:45 --><br /> By: Bill Pelke</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 24pt;">“Back Home Again In Indiana”</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> </span></b><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">By Ballard MacDonald and James F. Hanley, 1917</span></b></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Verse One</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> I have always been a wand’rer<br /> Over land and sea<br /> Yet a moonbeam on the water<br /> Casts a spell o’er me<br /> A vision fair I see<br /> Again I seem to be<br /> <br /> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Chorus</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> Back home again in Indiana,<br /> And it seems that I can see<br /> The gleaming candlelight, still shining bright,<br /> Through the sycamores for me.<br /> The new-mown hay sends all its fragrance<br /> From the fields I used to roam.<br /> When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,<br /> Then I long for my Indiana home.<br /> <br /> </span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Verse Two</span></b><b><span lang="EN-US" style="color: #00b050; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><br /> Fancy paints on mem’ry’s canvas<br /> Scenes that we hold dear<br /> We recall them in days after<br /> Clearly they appear<br /> And often times I see<br /> A scene that’s dear to me</span></b></div>
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Dear Folks,<br />
The Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing will be back home again in Indiana for our 20th anniversary in 2013. <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/on-tour/annual-journeys/1993-indiana/" target="_self">The Indiana Journey of Hope in 1993</a> was the inaugural event in our quest for worldwide abolition of the death penalty. On February 22-March 10, 2013 we will be conducting a <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/on-tour/limited-journeys/" target="_self">limited Journey of Hope</a> with a group of speakers traveling throughout the state of Indiana and into the Chicago land area. <br /><br />This Indiana Journey will be very personal for me. I was born and raised in Indiana. I retired from Bethlehem Steel in Northwest Indiana. My kids, grandkids and great grandkids all live in Indiana.<br /><br />My uncle Laverne used to take me to the Indianapolis 500 time trials when I was young. Jim Nabors has opened race day festivities for many years now with his rendition of <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdLBLwk0V94" target="_blank">‘Back home again in Indiana’.</a> I appreciate his sentiments more and more each time I hear him sing it.<br /><br />I moved to Anchorage, Alaska in 1999 and I love it here. I have met some of the most wonderful people in the world right here in Anchorage. Members of <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.aadp.info/" target="_blank">Alaskans Against the Death Penalty,</a> First United Methodist Church, Alaska’s Amnesty International Program to Abolish the Death Penalty, the Alaska Innocent project, the Alaska ACLU and others have been very appreciative and supportive of the Journey of Hope. I love them all. But when I travel to Indiana I am back home again.<br /><br />These Journey friends will be joining me in Indiana.<br /><br /><b><a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/family-of-the-executed/randy-gardner/" target="_self">Randy Gardner</a></b> is the vice-chairman of the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing Board of Directors. Randy’s brother Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed by firing squad in Utah about two and a half years ago. Randy will be sharing his family’s story. The Journey has provided a platform for <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/death-row-family-members/" target="_self">Death Row Family Members</a> since 1993.<br /><br /><b><a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/death-row-family-members/terri-steinberg/" target="_self">Terri Steinberg</a></b> will be there. Terri’s son Justin was sentenced to Death by the State of Virginia under the ‘murder for hire’ law. I am convinced that Justin is innocent. But innocence aside, I cannot understand why our society insists on inflicting this kind of pain on mothers like Terri. The Journey totally supports Terri as she campaigns for worldwide abolition of the death penalty. The state of Virginia wants to kill her son and we want him to live. <br /><br /><b><a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.witnesstoinnocence.org/view_stories.php?Randy-Steidl-22" target="_blank">Randy Steidl</a></b> will be joining the Journey of Hope for the first time. Randy was sentenced to death by the State of Illinois and was eventually able to prove his innocence. Randy is active member of <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.witnesstoinnocence.org/" target="_blank">Witness to Innocence</a> and as a resident of a neighboring state, Randy said he would be happy to be part of this Indiana Journey. The Journey of Hope has enabled many <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/exonerated-from-death-row/" target="_self">exonerees </a>to share their stories. These stories have inspired thousands upon thousands of people around the world. Juan Melendez, Shujaa Graham, Curtis McCarty, Ray Krone, Randall Dale Adams, Delbert Tibbs, Greg Wilhoit, Sunny Jacobs and many other exonerees have shared the Journey stage.<br /><br /><b><a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/bess-klassen-landis/" target="_self">Bess Klaussen-Landis</a></b> will be back home again in Indiana too. In 1969 Bess’s mother, Helen Klaussen, was murdered in Elkhart, Indiana. Bess will share the journey that she and her sisters have been on. She will talk about the private fears that this sort of unsolved crime creates. She has served as a board member of the Journey of Hope and has spoken at Journey events around the country. Bess is a school teacher in Vermont and has written and recorded two albums, <i>Beauty So Close</i> and <i>Way up in Vermont.</i> Bess says that the Journey of Hope helped her find her voice. It is a powerful voice, a voice of love.<br /><br /><b><a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/george-white/" target="_self">George White</a></b> is a cofounder of the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing and recently rejoined the Journey of Hope board of directors. George and his wife Charlene were shot in 1985 at George’s place of business in Enterprise, Alabama. George survived, Char died in his arms. In this country, do we convict people for crimes they didn’t commit? Ask George what his family thinks about that when he joins our weekend events. George is now living in northwest Indiana and works for CR England.<br /><br />
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The Purpose of this Journey is Threefold</h2>
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<li>Help support the growth of the <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.indianaabolition.org/" target="_blank">Indiana Abolition Coalition.</a> We will raise the awareness of IAC, help increase their data base, and to help them in their mission to build consensus to end the death penalty in Indiana through education, collaboration and activism.</li>
<li>To raise support for a major Indiana Journey of Hope event October 4-20, 2013. We would travel the same trails we blazed so successfully in 1993. The dates would coincide with the <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.worldcoalition.org/?sel_lang=english" target="_blank">World Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty’s Annual World Day Against the Death Penalty</a> October 10, 2013. <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/on-tour/limited-journeys/2011-uganda-rwanda-kenya/" target="_self">The African Journey of Hope to Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya</a> took place during World Day activities in 2010. With world-wide support we can do this major event in October and it is our goal that the limited events in February and March bring about the needed attention and support for this to happen.</li>
<li><b>Seize the Day.</b> The time is definitely right. We are starting to win. What just happened in California a few days ago was remarkable. 47% voted to end the death penalty. The percentage was much lower during the California Journey of Hope in 1995. It shows what a huge role education plays in abolishing the death penalty.</li>
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The Journey of Hope has a great board of directors. Cofounders <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/george-white/" target="_self">George White</a> and <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/suezann-bosler/" target="_self">SueZann Bosler</a> join with me to serve with <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/murder-victim-family/jo-berry/" target="_self">Jo Berry,</a> <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/activists/esther-brown/" target="_self">Esther Brown,</a> <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://aadp.info/aadp_board.php" target="_blank">Reece Robert,</a> <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/activists/rais-bhuiyan/" target="_self">Rais Bhuiyan,</a> <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/activists/rick-halperin/" target="_self">Rick Halperin</a> and <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/family-of-the-executed/randy-gardner/" target="_self">Randy Gardner.</a> These dedicated abolitionists are all making this world a better place to live. <a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/who-we-are/activists/jasmin-jenni/" target="_self">Jasmin Jenni</a> is our webmaster and lives in Switzerland. Jasmin’s contribution and that of her predecessor <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/operalab" target="_blank">Gilles Denizot</a> has been greatly appreciated. Thanks to you both for making the Journey stories more visible with a first class web site. Your volunteer work has been very important to the Journey’s success.<br /><br />George White and I had the opportunity to meet with Doris Parlette and the <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.indianaabolition.org/" target="_blank">Indiana Abolition Coalition</a> board of directors in Columbus, Indiana on October 13. We presented the Journey of Hope’s vision of the major event in October 2013. The death penalty has been on decline in Indiana. In the late 1980’s there were about 40 people on death row. Now there are 14. Indiana doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to kill, unlike a few states I could name. There are dedicated people in Indiana who are organizing for abolition now.<br /> <br />As president and cofounder of the Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing, you can rest assured I am an abolitionist. I have served on the board of directors of the <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://ncadp.org/" target="_blank">National Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty (NCADP)</a> since 1996, the board of <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://mvfhr.org/" target="_blank">Murder Victims’ Families for Human Rights (MVFHR)</a> since 2005 and the board of <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://aadp.info/" target="_blank">Alaskans Against the Death Penalty</a> since 1999. I am on the advisory board of the <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.fairsentencingofyouth.org/" target="_blank">Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY),</a> <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.dreamoneworld.org/" target="_blank">Dream One World</a> and <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://phadp.org/" target="_blank">Project Hope to Abolish the Death Penalty (PHADP).</a> I am a cofounder of the <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://www.abolition.org/fastandvigil/" target="_blank">Abolitionist Action Committee (AAC).</a> The Journey will once again be a sponsor as the AAC hosts the 20th Annual Fast and Vigil in front of the United States Supreme Court June 29-July 2, 2013. I have never missed a day of these events since we began in 1994. I hope to see you in DC next year.<br /><br />It was the State of Indiana that sentenced Paula Cooper to die in the electric chair on July 11, 1986 for the murder of my grandmother Ruth E. Pelke. <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1987-05-04/news/8702030184_1_chief-judge-sentencing-nonviolent-crimes" target="_blank">Judge James Kimbrough’s decision</a> that day changed my life. I didn’t realize how much until <a class="external-link-new-window" href="http://theforgivenessproject.com/visitor-stories/bill-pelkes-journey-of-hope-after-the-brutal-murder-of-his-grandmother/" target="_blank">November 2, 1986.</a> On this day, in a miraculous way, I learned the lessons of love and compassion and about the healing power of forgiveness.<br /><br />I was able to visit with Paula last month after meeting with the Indiana Abolition Coalition. Paula will be released from the Rockville Correction Facility on July 17, 2013 and I will be back home again in Indiana to greet her at the gates of the prison when she is released. I believe in restorative justice.<br /><br />Yes, Indiana is a special place to me. It is where I grew up. It is where my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends lived. It was in Indiana that I that I got to know my grandmother, whom we all affectionately called Nana. It was through Nana’s life and death that I learned about love and compassion, I learned about healing power of forgiveness and I learned restorative justice should be our goal.<br />
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<li style="color: #009900;"><b>Love and Compassion for All of Humanity</b></li>
<li style="color: #009900;"><b>The Healing Power of Forgiveness</b></li>
<li style="color: #009900;"><b>Restorative Justice</b></li>
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The Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing has also adopted these tools for our abolition work. The Journey of Hope needs your help to help to spread these seeds of love and compassion for all of humanity. Because of you the Journey of Hope has been sowing this seed for over 20 years. We have seen this precious seed grow, mature and bring forth fruit. Can you help us sow more seed?<br /><br />
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We need your help</h1>
Can you make a donation?<br />Can you organize some events?<br />Can you host a fundraiser for the Journey?<br />Would you like to be a Journey intern?<br />Can you think of something you could do to help make a Journey a success? <br /><br />Please call me at 877-9-24GIVE (4483) toll free USA or 907-929-5808 for international calls. You can also email me Bill@JourneyofHope.org. The Journey has no staff, we are all volunteers. We have no major funding. We need your help!<br /><br />We know we will be successful but the degree of our success in Indiana and around the world is up to you.<br />I can’t wait to get back home again in Indiana.<br /><br />
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Back home again in Indiana</div>
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And it seems that I can see</div>
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The gleaming candlelight still shining bright</div>
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Thro' the sycamores for me</div>
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The new mown hay sends all its fragrance</div>
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From fields I used to roam</div>
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When I dream</div>
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About the moonlight on the Wabash</div>
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Then I long for my Indiana home</div>
<br /><b><a class="internal-link" href="http://journeyofhope.org/news/newsdetails/artikel/a-new-journey-to-indiana/donate-now/" target="_self">Donate Now. </a></b> Thank you for your support. God Bless You!!Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-13251161838694147802012-10-05T15:03:00.000+02:002012-10-05T15:03:16.797+02:00A life and legacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A life and legacy</div>
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Pelke's devotion to family, faith resonates decades after murder</h1>
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by Sarah Tompkins</div>
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Ruth Pelke's family has fond memories of holidays in her Gary home, complete with crocheted gifts, colored cookies and "Nana salad," Pelke's macaroni salad mixed with watermelon pickles.<br />
But in 1985 four teenage girls turned their stepgrandmother's dining room into a crime scene, leaving Pelke dead with more than 30 knife wounds piercing her 78-year-old frame.<br />
"It went through her body, through the carpet, through the padding on the floor," said Pelke's stepdaughter, Ruth Weyhe, now 88. "There were marks in the floor."<br />
In an infamous case that made national headlines, 15-year-old Paula Cooper, 16-year-old Karen Corder, 14-year-old Denise Thomas and 15-year-old April Beverly were arrested and charged as adults in relation to the murder.<br />
"Christmas has never been the same, that's for sure," said Pelke's now 64-year-old grandson, Bill Pelke.<br />
<strong>'I just loved her so, so much'</strong><br />
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Ruth Pelke grew up and worked on a farm in Peru, Ind., doing manual labor as well as helping her neighbors with chores as the women recovered from childbirth, according to her family. She was a second or third cousin to Weyhe and Robert Pelke's mother, and they said the family would see her during trips to the countryside.<br />
Robert, Pelke's stepson who is 92 and living in South Carolina, said he always would remember how much faith Pelke had in him. And how she once trusted him to drive a wagon full of hay as a teenager – which he accidentally flipped over after turning a corner too sharp.<br />
"She didn't hold it against me," he said. "She treated me very good. It was just one of those things she took in stride. She was very cool. She took everything calmly."<br />
Weyhe, who now lives in Porter County, said she recalled farm trips dating back to when she was 4 years old.<br />
"I used to go with her out to the pasture and bring in the cows and stand there and watch her milk," Weyhe said. "I just followed her everywhere. I just loved her so, so much."<br />
A year after her mother died from leukemia, she said her father and Pelke became an item. But before Pelke would marry Weyhe's father, Pelke said he had to first ask his children if they would be OK with it.<br />
Weyhe said they were thrilled.<br />
"I remember her and granddad having a wonderful relationship," said Karen, Pelke's 47-year-old granddaughter. "They would joke around and he would tease her and smooch with her. He was always very loving and she was very loving back to him."<br />
It was Pelke's first marriage, and she never had any biological children.<br />
"She took on a whole family," said Pelke's 51-year-old grandson, Jon. "She was the only grandmother any of us had."<br />
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The family threw her a joint 70th birthday party and "Nana's Day" in May shortly after Mother's Day, donning Pelke with a queen's robe and crown. Bill said one of the reasons for celebrating her was because she didn't stand to be honored at a Mother's Day service.<br />
"I guess because she didn't have any kids of her own, she didn't feel like she was a mother," Bill said. "And that bothered me."<br />
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Pelke opened her arms to her nonbiological family, as well as her church family. Her relatives said she was an active member of her Baptist church and volunteered as part of a child evangelism program in her neighborhood. For about an hour sometimes five days a week, she would meet with youths and share Bible stories ranging from David and Goliath to Noah's ark.<br />
She was known for using vibrant flannel graphs to tell those stories, her family said, sticking figures made of flannel and paper against unique flannel backgrounds propped on an easel.<br />
"She was just a loving, caring person and she spoke positively of people," said granddaughter Dottie McKay, 67, of South Carolina. "She loved the Lord."<br />
McKay said Pelke was killed shortly before McKay's daughter's high school graduation party, and they found the card she had prepared for her daughter after Pelke's death.<br />
"If you had a perfect grandmother or mother, she would be the one," McKay said.<br />
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<strong>That day</strong><br />
Pelke had been living alone since her husband, Oscar, died in 1983, and her family members said they had been trying to get her to move as Gary's crime rate started to rise.<br />
The day before her murder Robert had gone to visit Pelke to talk about getting the Adams Street home in Gary's Glen Park neighborhood fixed up and ready to sell. Weyhe, also a widow at the time, said she had been considering trying to buy a place with Pelke to help get her out of the area.<br />
"She wasn't afraid to stay where she was," Robert said. "She said she'd stay there until she went to heaven."<br />
And on May 14 when Robert went to pick up Pelke for some errands, he found her body on a blood-soaked floor with a towel over her face.<br />
"The first thing I did was lift up the towel and I saw she was dead," Robert said. "I grabbed the telephone, and it was jerked out of the wall, and then I had to run up and down the street. I couldn't find a neighbor home or nothing."<br />
Bill said his father flagged down a car and asked to use their phone because his mother had been killed.<br />
"I know he had never referred to her as his mother, and that was the first time I heard him do that," Bill said.<br />
Karen said she found out after coming home and watching it on the news, as cellphones were rare in the 1980s. Her brother, Jon, said he listened to a radio broadcast as the news broke.<br />
"I remember hearing it on the radio and not knowing and just feeling this feeling," Jon said. "And then when I was told when I got home what had happened, you're talking about shock. It was heinous."<br />
Karen said it was a blessing to find out who did it so soon.<br />
"I think hearing about it and not knowing what happened, you have terrible thoughts in your mind about who did this," she said. "You don't think young girls. You think men, and what else did they do to this helpless woman?"<br />
Bill said he remembers showing up to the house, seeing his father and another relative trying to scrub stains off the wall and carpet.<br />
"(I) visioned her butchered on the dining room floor and it would just tear me apart," he said. "I couldn't stand to think about it.”<br />
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<strong>What's in a sentence?</strong><br />
Cooper was sentenced to death at age 15 for the murder of Pelke.<br />
But through a series of events where Indiana law increased the age a child could be put to death to 16, the state Supreme Court ruled putting Cooper to death would be unconstitutional.<br />
Her sentence was commuted to 60 years, and through credit for time served, a day off for each day of good behavior and credit for educational programming and certificates, she is scheduled to be released in 2013.<br />
While Pelke's family members said they agree on the principals of mercy and forgiveness, they did not all have the same view of what justice is.<br />
Bill, once a supporter of the death penalty, later became one of Cooper's biggest advocates. He said he forgave her and has seen how she's changed through their letter exchanges and visits over the past several decades.<br />
"If she was somebody who was 30 or 40 years old, I might not have the same sentiment," Bill said about giving her a second chance because of her youth. "I figured it was up to the state of Indiana to decide when she would be eligible to get out ... so I had no problem that she would get 30 years."<br />
Robert said that while he was a supporter of the death penalty, he was not upset that Cooper's sentence had been commuted and that she would be released in a little less than a year.<br />
"In other words, there was nothing I could do about it," he said. "She was gone, the people were found guilty and punished according to the law. I was satisfied and that's were I left it. … If you hang onto it, it tears your life apart."<br />
Others said they did not think the punishment fit the crime.<br />
"At 15, you know it's murder," Weyhe said. "And (Pelke) was murdered with such force."<br />
Jon said he would want to ask Cooper why she had to stab Pelke so many times. When told his question, Cooper said she would want to have that conversation with Jon, and that she was "very, very remorseful."<br />
The disparity between the 60-year sentence and the less than 30 years of actual time served was frustrating for some family members, Karen said.<br />
"You're gullible and think 60 years, she's got to be 75 when she gets out ... but that's not what they really mean," Karen said. "It's a sleight of hand in our justice system."<br />
Randolph Stone, a clinical professor of law at the University of Chicago, said the state system does not make sentencing very clear, and that there is a movement to have more truth in sentencing where a year means a year — or at least more than six months.<br />
"That's one of the things that needs to change about the system, is the transparency of the sentencing process," Stone said. "It's very complicated for lawyers, let alone the public."<br />
He also said having a carrot to dangle in front of prisoners as an incentive to behave while behind bars helps wardens control the population.<br />
For those who don't think she should be getting out next summer, Cooper said they are justified in whatever they feel, be it positive or negative.<br />
"They are not going to understand it no matter what I say," she said from Rockville Correctional Facility. "That's just the way they feel. People are entitled to the way they feel."</div>
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Sentence breakdown</h3>
Paula Cooper was sentenced to death in 1986 for the murder of Ruth Pelke. In 1989 her death sentence was commuted to 60 years behind bars. Here is the breakdown of her sentence calculation resulting in a 2013 projected release date:<br />
60 years minus about 29 years for good behavior with day-for-day credit = 31 years<br />
31 years minus 4 years for time served before 1989 = 27 years<br />
27 years minus 3 years for educational programming = 24 years served<br />
SOURCE: Indiana Department of Corrections</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-5317324771001825022012-10-05T14:29:00.000+02:002012-10-05T14:29:32.815+02:00A second chance at life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A second chance at life</div>
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Paula Cooper: Convicted of murder at 15, a Gary woman prepares for her 2013 release</h1>
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by Sarah Tompkins</div>
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ROCKVILLE, Ind. | Paula Cooper mixed no-bake cookies, creating balls of sweet coconut and baking cocoa the size of a fist.<br />
The 42-year-old woman was preparing meals for more than 100 prison staff at Rockville Correctional Facility -- where she has spent most of her life.<br />
“I take great pride in what I do,” she said of cooking. “People have to trust you to eat your food. That's the most personal thing that they could do -- is taking something out your hand and believing you've done nothing to it.”<br />
In 1985, Cooper was convicted of fatally stabbing an elderly Gary Bible school teacher 33 times with a butcher knife.<br />
She was 15 years old.<br />
The murder involved three other teenage co-defendants from Gary's Lew Wallace High School and left the region shaken.<br />
Cooper was the only one sentenced to death -- a sentence eventually commuted after international attention and new state legal precedent.<br />
Initially facing the electric chair, Cooper's sentence was commuted to life in prison.<br />
Now, more than 25 years later, Cooper says she is a different person, tutoring inmates in the culinary arts while she is counting down the days to her 2013 release. And a second chance at life.<br />
“Seven, eight years ago, I couldn't say I was ready to go home, and I wouldn't tell anybody that because that was a lie,” Cooper said about her rehabilitation. “My time is coming and, you know, I just hope that people give me a chance out there. That's it -- because people do change.”<br />
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<strong>The crime</strong><br />
It was a spring day when Cooper and three other teenagers decided to rob a house.<br />
“We just had got really bored,” Cooper said. “We had started burglarizing people's houses, and that's basically got us to the point where we were at.”<br />
April Beverly, whom Cooper said she met in person for the first time that day, lived behind a 78-year-old grandmother's house and suggested that house be their target.<br />
Ruth Pelke lived alone in her Adams Street home in Gary's Glen Park neighborhood. Family members called her “Nana,” and she took interest in sharing Bible stories with children, including Beverly, in the Gary neighborhoods.<br />
While accounts differ as to what exactly happened inside Pelke's house on May 14, 1985, Cooper describes the crime as a “robbery gone bad.”<br />
“It was a murder,” Cooper said. “And it wasn't one that was planned or premeditated. It just happened.”<br />
Cooper said the other burglaries were done at various vacant homes, and this one was different because, unbeknown to them, Pelke was there.<br />
And she invited the girls into the house.<br />
According to records, the teenagers pretended to be interested in taking part in Pelke's Bible classes. When Pelke let them in to write down the information, she was hit over the head and then stabbed dozens of times with a 12-inch knife.<br />
“Once we got inside, it was like, 'What do we do now?'" Cooper said. “And everything just started happening ... It was a long time ago, and there are some things I can remember about it and some things I don't, but it just was never the intention, we just never had the intention of hurting anybody.”<br />
While records place the knife in Cooper's hands, she said it was in everyone's at some point. The girls ransacked the house, stole about $10 and Pelke's car keys and drove away.<br />
Cooper said they were “panicking, and then just one thing is leading to another, and everything is just moving really fast.”<br />
Bill Pelke, the victim's grandson, said his son turned 15 the day his grandmother was killed.<br />
“At first I thought, well, it was probably some 30-, 40-year-old drug addict, you know, trying to get money for a fix or something,” said Bill, now 64. “When we found out several days later that it was ninth-grade girls, it was just a real, just a real shock.”<br />
Denise Thomas, then 14, Karen Corder, then 16, and April Beverly, then 15, later received sentences ranging from 25 to 60 years in prison. Thomas was convicted of murder, Corder pleaded guilty to murder and Beverly pleaded guilty to robbery in connection with the murder.<br />
Beverly was pregnant and Corder a young mother at the time of the crime.<br />
Cooper said she felt like they conspired against her to get favorable sentences, and that she, in turn, took the biggest fall.<br />
“I think one of the misconceptions is that I was some ringleader of this big murder; that's not true,” said Cooper, who had no prior criminal record. “What I want people to know is that all four of us were guilty, and that's the bottom line. There was no innocent person in that house.”<br />
After pleading guilty in April 1986 to murder, and murder while committing a robbery – without the benefit of a plea deal – Cooper was sentenced to death.<br />
Indiana legislators later changed the law to make 16 the minimum age someone could be sentenced to death. But the law was written to exclude Cooper. International media attention and petitions for clemency on Cooper's behalf poured in from around the world, including from Pope John Paul II.<br />
In 1989, the Indiana Supreme Court ruled it was unconstitutional to sentence someone younger than 16 to death, and the high court commuted Cooper's sentence to 60 years in prison. It was the second harshest sentence for murder at the time.<br />
“This is a difficult conclusion to reach because of the gruesome nature of Cooper's acts,” wrote Supreme Court Chief Justice Randall Shepard in the court's opinion.<br />
And with a day knocked off a state sentence for every day of good conduct, Cooper is scheduled to be released July 17, 2013.<br />
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<strong>The time</strong><br />
Cooper wears a maroon T-shirt over khaki-colored pants, her daily prison garb, with a yellow I.D. clipped below her left shoulder. She has short, black hair, wears white and brown eye shadow and is soft-spoken. She describes herself back in the 1980s as “horrible.”<br />
“I'm the type of person that I don't like to be fake,” she said. “I don't like to pretend with people. I mean, I was a very troubled person years ago. I was very troubled, had some very serious issues with myself and people, period.”<br />
According to reports and Cooper herself, she was originally from Chicago, physically abused as a child, ran away from home starting at about age 12 and had regular contact with the Juvenile Detention System.<br />
One report describes how Cooper was beaten with an extension cord and how a family member placed Cooper and another young relative in a car and started the engine in a garage in a murder/suicide attempt.<br />
After years of being bitter in prison and falling into the negativity that hovers over many in that environment, Cooper said she has changed.<br />
“If I never have hope, if I never have faith, if I never believe in anything, and I'm just sitting here moping around all day long, my life is just one ball of misery,” she said. “You have to learn how to deal with your own bitterness and anger and the things that's going on inside.”<br />
Cooper credits her growth to God's intervention and her taking advantage of Rockville's programming after transferring nine years ago to the facility about three hours south of Gary.<br />
Cooper was previously involved for discipline issues, but is now a leader among inmates, tutoring many in culinary arts. She said she felt like she had a lot to prove to people, and she was proud to be instructing fellow inmates on how to properly prepare meals.<br />
“There's a lot of people in there that's never cooked before," Cooper said. “Ever.”<br />
Her first job after arriving at Rockville was for Prison Enterprise Network, known as PEN Products, a division of Indiana's Department of Correction that manufactures various products for the state prisons and has some joint ventures with private companies as well.<br />
Cooper said the woman in charge told her she originally never had any intention of hiring her. But after Cooper explained her past and shared her present, she was hired.<br />
“That was my first chance, and I didn't want to let her down because I felt like she was the first person I encountered here at this facility, and if I had've disappointed her, then I was never going to be able to redeem myself,” Cooper said.<br />
Cooper said she ended up a valued employee, pressing more than twice the daily quota of metal parts used for doors and ice machines.<br />
And while she said she's grateful to count her mother and sister among her supporters, she has found another source of strength in an unsuspecting place: Bill Pelke, the murder victim's grandson.<br />
“He's my -- he's my biggest encouragement,” Cooper said.<br />
Bill Pelke, who once agreed with the judge's death-penalty ruling, became one of Cooper's strongest advocates in having that sentence commuted. They have written each other almost weekly for decades, and have in-person visits when possible.<br />
Pelke said he realized his grandmother would have wanted compassion for Paula, and that God made forgiveness in him possible.<br />
“We're supposed to hate the sin but love the sinner,” said Bill Pelke, who wrote a book about his experience and helps victims' families through the nonprofit Journey of Hope, From Violence to Healing. “Paula has changed. She's not the same person that committed that terrible crime in 1985.”<br />
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<strong>The future</strong><br />
With just about a year left of her sentence, Cooper is looking forward to giving back to society and getting a job.<br />
But she said she is worried society will not give her the opportunity because of her past.<br />
“We should pay for our crimes and we should, you know, take our punishment,” Cooper said. “But everybody deserves a second chance.”<br />
That ability to find work is one factor in whether inmates return to prison, according to various studies. In Indiana, about 40 percent of the prison population released in 2005 went back behind bars within three years, according to the DOC.<br />
“I mean, I don't care if I have to sweep floors, wash dishes or flip hamburgers, I'm going to take what I can get, you know, just to get on my feet and show people that I deserve a chance. Because I've done my time,” Cooper said.<br />
During her decades in prison, Cooper has earned her GED, received a bachelor's degree, completed an apprenticeship program in housekeeping and collected various certificates. She said she hopes it helps her find steady work, and that regardless, she wants to talk to troubled youth and help them avoid making her mistakes.<br />
“You know, I have a real story,” she said. “And there's somebody out there, even if it's just one kid, that will listen. And I'm hoping to get them.”<br />
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Timeline of events</h3>
<strong>May 14, 1985:</strong> Bible teacher Ruth Pelke is murdered.<br />
<strong>May 15, 1985:</strong> Stepson Robert Pelke discovers her body.<br />
<strong>May 1985:</strong> Four Lew Wallace High School students arrested for the murder of Ruth Pelke -- Karen Denise Corder, 16; Paula Cooper, 15; April Beverly, 15; and Denise Thomas, 14.<br />
<strong>Nov. 7, 1985:</strong> Denise Thomas convicted of felony murder/murder on Dec. 4, 1985; Sentenced to 35 years in prison.<br />
<strong>March 26, 1986:</strong> Karen Corder pleaded guilty to murder of Ruth Pelke on May 29, 1986; Corder sentenced to 60 years in prison.<br />
<strong>April 21, 1986:</strong> Paula Cooper pleaded guilty to the stabbing murder of Ruth Pelke.<br />
<strong>June 23, 1986:</strong> April Beverly pleaded guilty to robbery in connection with the murder of Ruth Pelke.<br />
<strong>July 18, 1986:</strong> April Beverly sentenced to 25 years in prison.<br />
<strong>July 11, 1986:</strong> Paula Cooper is sentenced to death.<br />
<strong>July 13, 1989:</strong> Indiana Supreme Court finds Paula Cooper's death sentence unconstitutional and commutes her sentence to 60 years in prison.<br />
<strong>July 17, 2013:</strong> Paula Cooper's scheduled release from prison.<br />
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May 14, 1985: Bible teacher Ruth Pelke is murdered.<br />
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May 15, 1985: Stepson Robert Pelke discovers her body.<br />
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May 1985: Four Lew Wallace High School students arrested for the murder of Ruth Pelke -- Karen Denise Corder, 16; Paula Cooper, 15; April Beverly, 15; and Denise Thomas, 14.<br />
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Nov. 7, 1985: Denise Thomas convicted of felony murder/murder on Dec. 4, 1985; Sentenced to 35 years in prison.<br />
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March 26, 1986: Karen Corder pleaded guilty to murder of Ruth Pelke on May 29, 1986; Corder sentenced to 60 years in prison.<br />
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April 21, 1986: Paula Cooper pleaded guilty to the stabbing murder of Ruth Pelke.<br />
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June 23, 1986: April Beverly pleaded guilty to robbery in connection with the murder of Ruth Pelke.<br />
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July 18, 1986: April Beverly sentenced to 25 years in prison.<br />
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July 11, 1986: Paula Cooper is sentenced to death.<br />
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July 13, 1989: Indiana Supreme Court finds Paula Cooper's death sentence unconstitutional and commutes her sentence to 60 years in prison.<br />
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July 17, 2013: Paula Cooper's scheduled release from prison.</div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-24372714946511275302012-09-05T10:23:00.002+02:002012-09-05T10:23:32.021+02:00Two new board members<div class="activity_content activity_type_note nonactionable complete">
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Journey of Hope adds two new board members </h2>
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SueZann Bosler, Journey of Hope...from Violence to Healing cofounder has rejoined the Journey boards of directors after a 5 year break while she pursued her college education. Joining SueZann on the Journey board is Reece Robert. Reece is the coordinator for Alaskans Against the Death Penalty. Reece is from Anchorage and SueZann is from Hallandale, Florida. We welcome these two fine people to the Journey board of directors. </div>
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Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-34636016766769973682012-05-09T10:19:00.000+02:002012-05-09T10:19:04.552+02:00Washington DC area Journey of Hope<div class="activity_title">
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Washington DC area Journey of Hope June 22-July 2 </h2>
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Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing <br /><br />Washington DC area Journey of Hope June 22-July 2 <br /><br />Journey of Hope speaker will be touring the DC area June 22-July 2, 2012. <br /><br />Speaking events are being planned for Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and Maryland. The Journey of Hope will culminate when we join with the Abolitionist Action Committee’s 19th annual Fast and Vigil June 29-July 2 at the US Supreme Court. The Journey of Hope has been a big part of the Fast and Vigil since it began in 1994. <br /><br />If you are interested in hosting a speaking event for your church, school, college and/or community group during these dates, please contact the Journey at info@JourneyofHope.org. <br /><br />The Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing is led by murder victim family members who are opposed to the death penalty. We travel around the country and around the world sharing our storiesce to Healing and talk about how the death penalty has nothing to do with the healing that murder victim family members need when a loved one has been killed, but how in fact it continues the cycle of violence and creates more victim family members. We say stop the killing. We have seen enough. Death row family members, exonerated and other abolition activists join our Journey speaking teams to help put the human face on the issue of the death penalty. <br /><br />Speakers include Shujaa Graham, Terri Steinberg, Charity Lee, Randy Gardner, Scott Langley, Art Laffin, Bill Pelke and others. Speaking events are free, although love offerings or honorariums are welcomed. The Journey of Hope is a 501 c 3 non-profit organization. <br /><br />Events will be scheduled on a first come, first serve basis. <br /><br />Rachel Lawler has volunteered to help coordinate the DC Journey. Please contact Ann Feczko for possible DC events, John MacDiarmid for Northern Virginia or Rachel for Maryland and all other general questions. Brian Evans has offered to help with Amnesty groups that might want to organize an event. <br /><br />In addition to telling our stories we will be promoting the fast and vigil and encouraging attendance of our audiences to visit our actions at the court. June 29th is the 40th anniversary of Furman V. Georgia, a decision that temporarily halted executions in the US until the July 2, 1976 Greg V. Georgia decision that allowed executions to resume. June 29th is an important landmark and it is a day that will be widely observed. There will be a rally that day at the court plus speaking teach ins at the court each evening. <br /><br />5 states have abolished the death penalty in the last five years. California voters can replace the death penalty with life without parole in the upcoming November election. Since the Troy Davis case media has given a lot of attention to the abolition movement. It would be helpful to our cause if media would be invited to Journey speaking events. <br /><br />Please let us know what we can do to help make the Journey of Hope a success in your area. <br /><br />Bill Pelke, President Journey of Hope…from Violence to Healing <a href="http://www.journeyofhope.org/" target="_blank">http://www.journeyofhope.org/</a> <br />Cell phone 305-775-5823 a</div>Angelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2043552269041724931.post-37882718938114107802012-04-26T08:27:00.004+02:002012-04-26T08:34:11.971+02:00Trusting in God`s plan....by Terri SteinbergTrusting in God's plan<br />
By Terri Steinberg, <br />
Mother of Virginia Death Row Inmate Justin Wolfe<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WysquX6yYe9pjKCyObYhPeJuf7eXxoXm7YCqj2eD-C3a4Ou83ra9KhNZ98p6IpK7MRYBtVVTCW2n3NC0OhQeR52YIyDjtU1eDgRs10D9MvsvuafBH0rSTtn-7eAutP1P-NXlApk0Dfs/s1600/terri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2WysquX6yYe9pjKCyObYhPeJuf7eXxoXm7YCqj2eD-C3a4Ou83ra9KhNZ98p6IpK7MRYBtVVTCW2n3NC0OhQeR52YIyDjtU1eDgRs10D9MvsvuafBH0rSTtn-7eAutP1P-NXlApk0Dfs/s1600/terri.jpg" /></a>I knew that we had a death penalty in this country, but being a busy mom, I never did anything about it or gave it much thought. I was raised to believe that all life was sacred. Our Fifth Commandment says "Thou shalt not Kill" and there were no footnotes or exceptions. I knew that the two greatest commandments were to love God and love your neighbor, and I believed that meant I could not kill them. The death penalty just did not make sense to me. Then one day, the death penalty came into my home and threatened the life of my oldest child, and destroyed the childhood for his siblings. </div>
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My oldest son, Justin Wolfe, had gotten involved with selling marijuana when he was in high school. He bought marijuana from a young man named Danny and sold to another named Owen. One night, just before Justin's 20th birthday, Owen shot and killed Danny. Owen was arrested in California three weeks later and brought back to Manassas, where he was questioned every day and threatened with the death penalty. At the end of two weeks of questioning, he was convinced that the only way to save himself from the death penalty was to say that someone asked him to do it. So he blamed Justin.</div>
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When Justin called to tell me he was turning himself in, I collapsed to the floor. I have to admit, I respected him for accepting responsibility for his actions in order to clear his name of this horrible crime. He assured me, “Mom, they think I had something to do with Danny's death, so I am going to turn myself in. Now, I may have to face some drug charges, but it will be a first offense marijuana charge. I should be home in a few days. I just have to clear my name of this murder. Please, don't worry.” We trusted the system and believed the truth would set him free. But after a trial that lasted three weeks, the jury deliberated just one hour and found him guilty of murder for hire. Justin was sentenced to death. </div>
I could not go out of the house for many weeks. I was devastated, exhausted, embarrassed and so very sad. As a mother, I had failed to protect my children. I couldn't face anyone. I went to different grocery stores, a different church. The murder trial was all over the local papers, which said horrible things about my son. It seemed like there was no place that I could turn where I wasn't bombarded with it. Before the arrest, I had always been very active with the kids - volunteering, coaching, room mom, and whatever else needed to be done. Now my job as mother is consumed with protecting my children from the horrible truth that our state is working really hard to kill their big brother, a brother they love and looked up to; trying to help them grow up to be normal” when the death penalty has stripped "normal" from their lives. <br />
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My time is consumed with saving Justin's life, and the fight to end the death penalty. I travel often with a group called the Journey of Hope, from Violence to Healing; a group consisting of murder victims' family member who oppose the death penalty, family members of the people on death rows from across the country, and men who lost years of their lives to the death penalty - exonerated of their crimes and now finally free. We talk about how the death penalty does not bring the healing that someone needs after losing a loved one to murder, and how the death penalty only creates more victims. </div>
We have many in the community that support us; yet it still hurts that there are those former friends that no longer want anything to do with us. We were not welcome at some neighborhood functions and some people blatantly looked the other way as we passed. In some ways, I understand. It was hard for me to talk about it, so I can imagine it would be hard to know just what to say. But I always felt a simple "hello" would have been nice. <br />
Last July, a Federal court judge finally recognized that Justin is innocent of this crime and vacated his sentences. Unfortunately, the state is appealing this decision, so he still sits on death row, in isolation, where he has been for 11 years now, and will celebrate his 31st birthday on March 17. The Fourth Circuit Court hearing is scheduled for May 17, and we continue to hope. <br />
I know God has a plan for Justin and our family. I pray every day that I can follow His lead and do as He asks, to be His servant with this cross He has given. Each day, I pray the Our Father and focus on and sometimes struggle with the words – "Thy will be done." Those words carry so much meaning and responsibility for me. But I have to believe that God will carry us as we carry this cross. I know that one day Justin will come home; he will be free of that place. What I don't know is who will he come home to - me, or our Father in heaven. I hope he will get another chance at life here with us, but I know I have to trust in God's plan, whatever that is. <br />
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I know that we do not need to become the murderers we lock up to protect ourselves. People who commit crimes need to be held accountable, and society deserves to be protected. But our prisons are capable of doing that without taking another life. Justin's story is a prime example of how the system does not work. There are many days I stop and wonder how this happened in our lives. I know this cross was given to us for a reason and I pray I carry it well. I hope we can use our situation to help other young people make better decisions for themselves. I hope somehow we can help demonstrate the flaws of our system and prove that the death penalty is cruel, unnecessary and only creates more victims of violence. We can only hope somehow we can make a difference. </div>
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Maybe His plan is for Justin's story to make a difference in the lives he touches. I know he has made a difference for the men on the row, as he tries to make the best of each day, positive and upbeat and is always looking out for the weaker ones there. As we head into the feast of the most famous execution of the innocent, may we reflect on the death penalty, and the lessons Jesus came to teach us: "Love one another as I have loved you" and "Whatever you do to the least of our brothers, you do to me." </div>
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I have stood in the field, holding hands with the mother or family member as their loved one is being killed by our state. No family should have to endure that pain. I have looked into the eyes of "the least of my brothers," and I know the person I see is more than the person who committed a horrible crime. He, too is a child of God, loved by God, and his family. And the question should not be "do they deserve to die for what they did," the question is "do we have the right to kill them?" I believe we are called to do better, and I pray you will join me in the fight to end this cycle of violence we call the death penalty. </div>
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Please let your legislators know that you respect life - all life - and we do not need or want a death penalty in our beautiful state. Let them know you would prefer your tax dollars to go to supporting life, not death, to supporting victim's families, not creating more victims. And I ask you to please keep my family in your prayers, along with our lawyers, the students and professors at The Innocence Project at UVA and the judges that hear his case on May 17.</div>
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In hope, </div>
TerriAngelahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06643817915005044959noreply@blogger.com4