1. Kristine Peterson paints forgiveness at Mission Days 2009

  2.     Using a large brush Kristine first created a wash which would serve as a fitting background for both the images of death and life. She then sketched the hill of Calvary with three crosses.  We all thought that the focus of the painting would be about the crucifixion. All the while people sang.  Worship was led by a Latvian group, ‘Your Space’.  There were also periods of quietude as the people watched with great interest.

  3.     Suddenly, with a few big and bold strokes Calvary’s hill was transformed into the Stone Table from CS Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. I was so taken by the moment I forgot to take photos for a few minutes. Blood-stained walls were broken into two;  chains were shattered and the overwhelming, forgiving power of the resurrection was depicted through strong knife strokes of brilliant yellows and white.

  4.     In a flash, that which was dark was transformed into hope.  The Latvian word, ‘PIEDOTS’ (forgiveness) was inscribed above the doorpost of the prison.

  5.     I cried again.  And so did many others.

  6.     By Chuck Kelley

  7.     29 April 2009