One of the girls who died in Pennsylvania's Amish schoolhouse massacre asked the killer to shoot her first in an apparent bid to save the younger girls, a woman who spoke to the victim's family said Friday.

Rita Rhoads, a nurse-midwife who delivered 13-year-old Marian Fisher as well as another victim, said Fisher appealed to Charles Roberts to shoot her first because she thought it might allow younger girls to survive.

Fisher's 11-year-old sister, Barbie, appealed to Roberts to shoot her next, Rhoads said. Barbie survived and was in Children's Hospital of Philadelphia recovering from shoulder, hand and leg injuries.

"Barbie has been talking and she said Marian said, 'Shoot me first,"' Rhoads said. "Apparently what she was trying to do was to save the younger girls."

"It was very courageous of the girls to offer themselves," Rhoads said. "God was really present to give the girls that kind of courage."

 

In the midst of a world overcome with the darkness of unforgiveness, violence, and bitterness, a glorious light has been made to shine. But oh the cost! No, it will not change the world. But then, that is not the goal; for the world stands condemned. However, such a pure testimony has surely lead multitudes into the light of God's grace. And that is our calling.

 

Mat 5:14 *You* are the light of the world; a town cannot be hid if built on a hill-top.

Mat 5:15 Nor is a lamp lighted to be put under a bushel, but on the lampstand; and then it gives light to all in the house.

Mat 5:16 Just so let your light shine before all men, in order that they may see your holy lives and may give glory to your Father who is in Heaven (WNT).

Rev 12:11 But they have gained the victory . . . . because of the blood of the Lamb and of the testimony which they have borne, and because they held their lives cheap and did not shrink even from death (WNT).

 

Oh Lord, pour out a spirit of consolation to those who grieve over the loss of such precious young children. Give strength to your people - that they may continue to bear this testimony for the sake of those who have no hope. And let us bow our thoughts yielding to the knowledge that:

 

Rom 8:28 . . . . . for those who love God all things are working together for good--for those, I mean, whom with deliberate purpose He has called (WNT).