SANFORD, Florida (Aug. 3, 2004): "I'm glad
I did it," Gracia
Burnham said, referring to her recent trip to the Philippines to
testify against the Abu Sayyaf.
The Philippine government had asked Gracia to return many times,
but she took her cues from those dealing with her case in Washington,
DC. This time they agreed "it's time for you to go
back, and you're done," she said. "I don't
plan to go back and testify ever again."
Gracia saw God's grace throughout the trip. A stopover in Honolulu provided
the unexpected treat of watching a sunset and sunrise on Waikiki beach.
Four FBI escorts met her, and one attended church with her before they boarded
the plane for Manila. From the outset, everyone's goal was her safety. "Everybody
treated me with lots of kindness," Gracia said, "and acted like they
really cared about my safety."
Two days to prepare
Two Philippine prosecutors helped her for a couple of days before the hearing
so she knew what kinds of questions to expect on Thursday when she was to testify.
"I laid out the ground rules," Gracia stated. "I wouldn't
talk to things that didn't pertain to testimony against the Abu Sayyaf.
That's not what I went to do; I went to testify against the Abu Sayyaf." She
would be asked to identify captured Abu Sayyaf members; she determined she would
not discuss the possible collusion of Philippine military with the terrorists.
Gracia had already answered such questions under oath earlier this year. Ms.
Ma. Merceditas N. Gutierrez, Under-Secretary of the Philippines Department of
Justice, "came to my house in Rose Hill several months ago," Gracia
stated, "and under oath I answered all those collusion questions. She asked
all she wanted, so I felt I had already answered those questions to the highest
authority."
Determined to do her best
Gracia determined to stay focused on testifying against the Abu Sayyaf. But the
Abu Sayyaf also wanted attention. "They needed their moment in the press," Gracia
said, "so Solaiman, [a leader who is still at large] called a radio station
and talked to one of the guys, basically to say that my testimony would have
no bearing on the men held in custody.
"I beg to differ," she said.
"On the day of my testimony, we sent a decoy group a different route to
the courthouse," Gracia explained, "and I went with the FBI escorts
in another group." The ruse worked for a time. The press got pictures of
Gracia entering the back door of the courthouse, and the female FBI agent going
in the front door. "Soon they figured out who was who," she chuckled.
Eight detained Abu Sayyaf were in the court room. "At first I didn't
look at them, for I wasn't sure how I'd feel," Gracia said. "I
looked at the judge. I was very careful to listen to what was asked me. I decided
I was going to make sure my testimony was the best I could give."
When the crunch came
Because Gracia was able to stay so focused, "by the time it came time to
identify the men it wasn't a big traumatic thing for me. I didn't
feel a surge of fear," she said. "They were cuffed behind their backs
and there was security all over the place."
Gracia identified six of the eight detainees. "I knew six of them well," she
said. "Two I couldn't identify."
She was also asked to identify a familiar object. "They showed me the chain
[the Abu Sayyaf had used to chain Martin with] as evidence and I identified that,
but the blue boots I'd worn in the jungle were never shown to me; the prosecutors
showed the boots after I left the courtroom," Gracia said. Then with a
chuckle she added, "If they had showed them to me, I probably would have
asked, ‘Can I take those home with me?'"
Gracia attributes the smoothness of her testimony to God answering the prayers
of His people. "I was surprised at how quickly I was able to give my testimony
and leave; the prosecutors were well prepared," she stated.
Make the world a better place
Gracia read a prepared statement to the Philippine media audience before her
departure. In essence she conveyed her love for the Philippines and her desire
that the country and the world be free of terrorism. Giving her testimony was
one thing she could do to maybe help fight terrorism, she said.
She also encouraged everyone that there's always something you can do to
make the world a better place. Gracia paraphrased her comments, "You don't
need to have a big name, or a spectacular story like I have, or be a politician;
you can raise your children with integrity and honesty; as you live right you
can see the world change."
She assured everyone that her children are fine and sent their greetings. They
were disappointed not to be able to come along. As for her, Gracia said she is
trying to figure out what life is all about. The last few years have been difficult
at times but that's when you fall on your knees; that's when you
learn to trust God; it's another opportunity for God to show His faithfulness
and goodness.
Not taken for granted
The return journey crept slowly into 48 hours. What joy and relief to be reunited
with Jeff, Mindy and Zach.
"I really, really prayed that I'd get to come home to my kids," Gracia
said. "I don't take it for granted that it's going to happen.
I'm so happy to be here with my kids. It's a special gift from God."
Gracia is exhausted, but she is very grateful for your prayers.
Gracia's second book is scheduled for release by Tyndale House next
spring. She and her co-author Dean Merrill have met the manuscript deadlines.
We'll update you on the book later.
