The Editor, Sir:

I am blessed and gratified at your report 'The miracle and the missing bullet' published today (March 1): gratified because one does not often see such coverage in the secular media, especially reporting the confession of medical experts that something miraculous has occurred.

Please allow me space to also congratulate those doctors who conceded as much to your reporter and to the 'victim' (who by his faith has proven himself victorious with Christ).

Your article contains wonderful encouragement to Christian parents (and I daresay, teachers) to emulate the Duhaneys and heed the scriptures - training the children entrusted to their care, in every aspect of "the way they should go" (Proverbs 22:6). One aspect of this 'way' is Holy Ghost self-defence and the use of spiritual weapons. I am sure the Duhaneys and their home church are now proud of how that 'younger son' made use of his training.

Mr. Duhaney said that in retrospect he thinks his actions were foolhardy. However, I believe they were not. Christianity does not require us to be wimps, and the strong protective instincts that are seen in the sometimesdaring actions of mothers should be equally evident in the actions of loving fathers, despite the fact that men more often react from the head than from the heart.

Praising the self-defence methods

More important is the fact that in Mr. Duhaney's boldness (which some might perceive as temporary insanity) he was covered by the blood of Jesus which his son was invoking, and I postulate that consciously or unconsciously his response of 'fight' rather than 'flight' was determined by this fact. Please note, I am praising the self-defence methods used by Mr. Duhaney and his family - not retaliation of violence for violence. It was a 'hold him down, restrain him' scenario, not one of 'now that we have the gun let's kill him'. Apparently the block dropped on the gunman's head as a last resort has left him with another chance to repent, as a bullet might not have.

Aren't miracles glorious?! Is it not a joy to have confirmation that God is alive and well JA? And is it not comforting and encouraging to see such demonstrations of His power in the midst of those who serve Him? As Zephaniah 3:17 says, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is Mighty!"

I am, etc.,

M. EVANGELINE ANDERSON

meanderson@rogers.com

Ottawa, Ontario

Canada

Via Go-Jamaica