Courage Ablaze: Sabrina’s Nightmare

Behind the Artwork

Faith, Pamela Alderman, Watercolor on paper, Study painting, 12x16 inches, 2013

Story told in Sabrina’s own words

In Eastern Congo, we heard shootings of rifles and some great detonations. Then the quiet was felt, and we saw emerging soldiers armed entering our house and coming into the living room where we were, my husband and I. Our five daughters were in their rooms.

There was a detonation inside the house, and we lay down on the floor as they asked us. When our girls heard the voice of their dad beg the soldiers to leave us, they started to shout. Four soldiers moved towards the room of the girls.

I heard blows and cries of our daughters. They shouted very extremely. I could not move. A soldier killed my husband. My husband died without any rescue—by the hand of his enemy who was unknown—while our daughters were raped.

I cried but GOD alone knows if I was heard.

Heroes in Our Midst

Congolese women, women like Sabrina, have suffered. Murder. Rape. Genocide. But their enemies couldn’t destroy their tenacious spirit. The atrocities afflicted upon them have only strengthened the flames of bravery in their hearts. And these flames have burst into a roaring fire: their Courage Ablaze.

Note: Sabina’s story is a composite story that has been shared in the news or reports. Real names and some of the details have been changed.

Jetta: A Real Life Champion

Behind the Artwork

Resilient - part of the Courage Ablaze watercolor painting seriesBefore retiring my Courage Ablaze Collection—a collection of twenty-five paintings highlighting the Democratic Republic of Congo’s genocide and massive-scale rape—I would like to introduce you to a dear Congolese friend whom I’ll call Jetta. Jetta and her children fled into Uganda as gunfire broke out near their home. Trying to save the lives of her children, she was separated from her husband for the three years—not knowing if he had survived or died.

But while fleeing, Jetta encountered soldiers raping women. So Jetta took a detour. She put aside her own safety long enough to march into a commander’s office to deliver this message: “Tell your soldiers to stop raping the women.”

Jetta’s story is an amazing story of courage. In the middle of war and chaos, she risked her life and her children’s safety—because she cared about innocent women and children.

After colliding with Jetta, I asked myself, “What would you do, Pamela? Would you care enough to risk your own safety to help others in need?”

Let Go Thank You

From the Heart

Hand written statement to let go of hard to be softer and gentle

Let Go exhibit viewed from aboveThank you to the thousands of visitors for successfully helping us to complete our ninth year of ArtPrize. It has been an amazing journey! Over 70,000 Let Go notes were added to our interactive healing installation—an artist/visitor collaboration.

I would like to thank the one hundred twenty-six courageous individuals and third graders from Lone Pine Elementary School who pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences. I would also like to thank over fifty exhibit volunteers, including the Girl Scouts, Young Life, and the Blue Star Mothers, for helping greet and serve our ArtPrize audience.

A special thank you to the following friends, co-workers, and businesses for helping make Let Go possible. You are fabulous!

Volunteer coordinator Jan VanderWal
Creative project manager Marijo Heemstra
Calvin College intern Melissa Burgess
Carpenter Mark Scholma
Install/uninstall team—Louie Vanderwal, Greg Shepherd, and Kelvin Kronemeyer
Exhibit supporter Patty Alexander
Encourager Kathy Pluymert
A committed group of financial supporters
PlexiCase Inc and Moonlight Graphics for generously donating supplies

A huge thank you to the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel for hosting my work for the sixth year. We also are grateful to all those who shared their Let Go notes during ArtPrize (#LetGo). And, lastly, I would like to thank Leon, my husband and life companion, for his faithful and loving support throughout the last nine years of ArtPrize. He’s my champion!

Photo credit: Tom DeVette

Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.

Let Go Promotes Healing

Behind the Artwork

Close-up of hand written Let Go statements

It is surprising, in a way, how I could have written almost all of the one hundred twenty-six Let Go letters or sentences that were submitted. Though the details of our stories may differ, our struggles are often very similar. And these common experiences of pain and loss connect us like a dot-to-dot drawing.

Throughout ArtPrize Nine, new friendships have been formed and old friendships have deepened. The opportunity to support one another through interactive healing art continues to link us together and strengthens us to face the future. This letter about challenging relationships highlights yet another healing and hope-filled journey.

Dear Surrender,

My life is a mess. Over the past two years, I have hurt more than ever in all my life. I have felt so lost and lonely.

My heart says I need help, but logic says I need to protect myself from more hurt. Drink and eat more. Shut down. But the physical pain of overeating will not bring me peace. It only drives me towards more isolation and shame.

But it’s time to turn a corner. It’s time to reclaim my life. So here’s to surrender:

I am letting go of my perception of what a husband should do.
I’m letting go of a daughter’s choice to focus on sex and shallow relationships.
I’m letting go of self-judgment over my parenting.
I’m letting go of a dad who manipulates.
I’m letting go of a mother who has no clue.
I’m letting of a sister who stays silent.
I’m letting go of a brother who disappoints.
I’m letting go of a co-worker who has no right.
I’m letting go of insecurity and self-hate.
I’m letting go!

Sincerely,
Called to Surrender

Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.

Let Go Inspirational Sentences Vol. 4

Behind the Artwork

Close-up of hand written Let Go statements

Let Go statements from the ArtPrize participants:

I’m letting go of all the hate.

I am letting go of my shame.

I’m letting go of expectations.

I’m letting go of regrets about things I’ve said.

I’m letting go of the fear of never being enough.

I’m letting go of my failure in a broken relationship.

I’m forgiving my friends. I’m letting go of the judgments and grudges against them.

Let Go and Healing

Many participants wrote Let Go statements about difficult relationships. Interactive healing art invites honest reflection. And as a result, many ArtPrize visitors are experiencing a new level of freedom as they begin to Let Go of the things that weigh them down or drag them under.

I am letting go of all the hurt my husband has put me through. I know he doesn’t mean it. But it still makes my heart bleed.
Signed, Lindsay

Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.

A Heart Surrendered

From the Heart

Heart rate at 300 beats per minute

“Mrs. Alderman, your new-born baby’s heart rate is 300 beats per minute.” He explained that a baby’s heart rate should be around 120 beats per minute. But our son’s heart rate raced almost three times faster. I bit my lip and fought tears.

Over the next several days, doctors or nurses surrounded our baby, Grant, in the cardiac unit every time his heart monitor went off. A few days into the crisis, a doctor admitted, “Mrs. Alderman, your baby is very sick.” What he meant was, “Mrs. Alderman, your son could die.” For the next 16 days, a team of doctors worked to find the right medication level to stabilize our son’s heart.

Physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion threatened me. Would our baby live? Would he play sports like the other boys? Why couldn’t I have a healthy baby like other mothers?

Desperate, I knelt on the floor in children’s hospital chapel and pleaded for a miracle.

The process of letting go was one of the most difficult things I had ever done. How does a mother surrender a son? For my own mental health and emotional survival, I needed to give up control—to lay down my hopes and dreams. In the end, I could do nothing to save our son’s life.

But after 16 painful days, my miracle actually came. Grant’s heart stabilized, and the doctors obtained the right medication level. That Christmas I received a precious gift: my son’s life.

Let Go and Peace

Behind the Artwork

Close-up of a section of Let GoThe threads of past exhibits continue to be sewn in and out of my current artwork. During ArtPrize 2011, Metro Health Hospital invited me to portray Kara’s cancer story. So I created Braving the Wind which tells Kara’s remarkable story of determination and hope after her reoccurring battles with cancer.

This letter from “Warrior of Hope” is from another friendship that resulted from ArtPrize 2011. A friendship, like Kara’s, that has been woven into my life. After meeting these brave survivors, I have a tremendous respect for their enduring spirits.

Dear Life,

One day my life came to a screeching halt. I had a massive collision with my status quo. My sense of “comfortable” suddenly became very uncomfortable—even terrifying. My divorce and cancer diagnosis shook me up and left me in complete despair—fragmented, bruised, and scarred. Thoughts of “What’s next?” or “Where do I turn from here?” frequented my mind.

Over time, I began to realize that life is not all about me, so I asked myself: “What can I learn from my circumstances?” One thing I learned is this: “Never give up and to keep on fighting!” There is ALWAYS hope. Real life miracles really do still happen.

I have now survived two cancer diagnoses and defied the odds; I still get to celebrate life. I may be permanently disabled according to the doctors. However, I have a lot of life and hope still left. My journey has reminded me of how precious life really is. And as a result, I’m learning to have a great appreciation for everything.

So I’m letting go of my fear of the unknown. I’m letting go of my fear of cancer. And I’m letting go of my fear of being alone.

Letting go and resting peacefully,
Warrior of Hope

Note: One hundred twenty-six participants pre-submitted Let Go letters and sentences to be collaged into the painting. The names and some details have been changed to protect identities.