Bleeding hearts (dicentra spectabilis), Author Wildfeuer (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)
WARNING: Graphic Images
Most parents want a good life for their children.
Good parents want their children to grow up in peace and security; want them to express their personalities, and develop their talents; want them to become fine young men and women, capable of loving others and contributing to the world.
Siraj Ibn Wahhaj was not such a parent. Authorities in New Mexico have found eleven malnourished children in rags, at a derelict compound in the desert [1][2].
The makeshift compound, surrounded by tires, had no electricity or running water. Wahhaj though was heavily armed. Evidence suggests that he and another man, Lucas Morten, were training the children to conduct school shootings [3].
There were, also, three women present at the compound. Preliminary indications were that the women had been brainwashed.
The children, themselves, range in age from one to fifteen. What are thought to be the remains of Wahhaj’s four year old son were found buried nearby. Evidently, Wahhaj had believed the boy (who was physically and mentally handicapped) possessed by demons.
It is difficult to process evil on this scale. Tragically, the situation is not unique. Over a decade ago, a California man, Marcus Wesson was convicted of killing seven children and two adults, their bodies casually piled in a back room [4]. Wesson had convinced 20 family members that he was god, controlling them in a cult-like manner and conceiving several children by incest.
As the victims of childhood abuse, our hearts bleed for these children. We have had to fight and struggle for our own chance at a good life. We know firsthand the enormous challenges involved.
But we know, too, that such a life is possible.
“Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1: 9).
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[1] The Guardian, “New Mexico compound taught children to commit school shootings, lawyers say”, 8/8/18, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/aug/08/new-mexico-compound-taught-children-to-commit-school-shootings-lawyers-say.
[2] ABC News, “11 children rescued from filthy compound with little food or water” by Mark Osborne, 8/6/18, https://abc7chicago.com/11-children-rescued-from-filthy-compound-with-little-food-or-water/3886080/.
[3] Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC), “DA: Georgia man, others trained kids to do school shootings in desert” by Joshua Sharpe, 8/8/18, https://www.ajc.com/news/local/georgia-dad-due-court-new-mexico-officials-try-boy-body/tkuab0XLsqToGu0Ws8i2YK/.
[4] ABC News, “Family Brainwashed by Dad Struggles to Heal” by Jay Schadler, Harry Phillips, and Elissa Stohler, 7/6/10, https://abcnews.go.com/Primetime/marcus-wesson-mass-murder-surviving-family-speaks-abuse/story?id=11089648.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 
Such a challenging and loving word… looking forward to catching up sometime soon, sister. I pray you are well. Praying for you.
Your brother,
D
Thank you, David. I hope things are good w/ you and your family, as well. God bless you.
Your sister,
A.
We all are good here, Anna. A bit too busy for my taste lol but its all part of serving. All our love in Him to you as well. and thank you for your encouragement as always. 🙂
D
It is always good to hear from you, David. I’m glad to know you are doing well. 🙂
There really is no “bottom” that man will sink to living his life apart from God. Whether a cult in New Mexico where children are being exploited to commit atrocities, or a maniacal despot consumed with the eradication of an entire race of people, the grip of sin can only lead to suffering and death.
Well said, Ron.
Reblogged this on justiceforkevinandjenveybaylis.
Such a sad and shocking story. The evil that men do is hard to comprehend.
You are so right, Chris.
It is hard to imagine someone could harm children..
Their hearts must be hardened along with a seared conscience..
Possibly the parents worship Santa Muerte, the god of death that is so popular in Mexico.. I pray the children will receive a loving home.
As you say, Mary, it is difficult to grasp. But the Bible tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jer. 17: 9). There have since time immemorial been cults that worshipped false gods and sacrificed children. Ron Whited, I think, expressed it best. Sin leads to death.
Amen-Amein Sister in Christ-Messiah Jesus-Yeshua Anna ❤
May our ONE TRUE GOD THE HEAVENLY FATHER who art in Heaven Above Bless all my Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and my Messianic Jewish Sisters and Brothers in Christ Jesus-Yeshua and Your Families and Friends!!
Our ONE True GOD the HEAVENLY FATHER who art in Heaven Above and HIS LOVE💕💜 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore!!
I Love you all Everyone through Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua, because HE LOVED 💜💕 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love ❤ Always and Shalom, YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Unspeakable evil such as this is why we must be mindful of giving the best of ourselves to the good fight…our efforts, however seemingly insignificant, are never in vain…and, cumulatively, we are powerfully transformative. Thanks for sharing, my friend…
That is it exactly!
It says a lot when even hardened criminals consider those who harmed children scum.
No kidding.
Thanks always dearest Anna for educating us all about these tragic events that occur. It seems that no matter where we look something ugly lingers to take innocents away. If it were not for those who look after and work with people to process this stuff, what would happen? So many more would die. Amazing article, sad but very educational. Love you Anna, Joni
It breaks my heart to come across such stories. I try not to focus exclusively on them, in order not to discourage abuse survivors. I write about such travesties b/c I believe the victims deserve a witness to their suffering, and b/c awareness on society’s part is a weapon. We must not close our eyes to such evil, or it will continue to flourish. Thank you for your love and support, Joni. You are a dear friend. ❤