Thomas Wesu's story in some...
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Thomas Wesu's story in some ways parallels Jesus' parable about the unrighteous steward, using questionable tactics to his own purpose. One major difference is that Wesu was not unrighteous, even though the state authorities branded him so.
Wesu lived in an African country going through violent racial tensions. A government official, Wesu had several friends who were part of the ethnic minority that was termed the enemy. As the civil war heated up, Wesu helped his friends escape the country to safety and maintained telephone contact with them. It wasn't long before Wesu was warned by the chief of police about his association with his "rebel" friends. Wesu unwisely ignored the warning.
One day, soldiers came to his home, threatened to shoot his wife and children, beat him, and then dragged him off for questioning. He was tortured during interrogation, yet he refused to give any information about his friends. He was released, but was soon informed that the police had "documentary proof" against him proving that he had committed treason.
Wesu knew his life was basically over. So, using connections he had made over the years in his government job and bribery, which was common, Wesu made his escape to the United States. He was awarded asylum and is now working to bring his wife and children to America.
Wesu's story can be read at the Physicians for Human Rights website, www.phrusa.org.
Wesu lived in an African country going through violent racial tensions. A government official, Wesu had several friends who were part of the ethnic minority that was termed the enemy. As the civil war heated up, Wesu helped his friends escape the country to safety and maintained telephone contact with them. It wasn't long before Wesu was warned by the chief of police about his association with his "rebel" friends. Wesu unwisely ignored the warning.
One day, soldiers came to his home, threatened to shoot his wife and children, beat him, and then dragged him off for questioning. He was tortured during interrogation, yet he refused to give any information about his friends. He was released, but was soon informed that the police had "documentary proof" against him proving that he had committed treason.
Wesu knew his life was basically over. So, using connections he had made over the years in his government job and bribery, which was common, Wesu made his escape to the United States. He was awarded asylum and is now working to bring his wife and children to America.
Wesu's story can be read at the Physicians for Human Rights website, www.phrusa.org.
