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Sycamore Tree Project®

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Reconciliation Under the Sycamore Tree

The prisoner had just admitted that he was in prison for killing a man, but he said he saw no reason why his victim’s survivors would want to meet with him. One of the listeners, herself the mother of a murder victim, leaned forward and said, “I can think of many reasons. Tell me, how long did it take for your victim to die? Did he suffer? Did he know he was dying? Did he ask for his mother? Did you feel joy as his life slipped away?” As she asked each question the prisoner answered, and at the end of the five minute dialogue the entire group was moved. “It was a Holy Spirit moment,” one observer remembered.

Meeting at the Sycamore Tree Part 2

We did interviews to get extensive assessments from both the victims and offenders, and their words offer a stronger and more objective endorsement that I ever could. Noted one victim whose daughter was murdered some 20 years ago, “The past 12 weeks have nurtured and matured me emotionally, spiritually and mentally. I have learned so much that could never be found inside a book, a schoolroom or even a church.” Said another, “I can finally drive by “men in white” [prisoners] working on the roadside, and not see each one as the man who killed my daughter.” The inmates were no less moved. “I think that it was beneficial for the men because it helped us move toward reconciliation with those we have offended. In many cases, this was the first time the men had made steps in that direction. It was awesome to watch the victims take steps toward recognizing our humanness as well.” This project has allowed us to see the depth of God ‘s desire to heal the broken lives of those injured by crime. It opened the doors toward the Church moving forward to stand in the gap between the victim and the offender, and offering God’s love to heal. It was just a start. But what a start and what a blessing! There is still much more work to be done as God continues to guide us.