A story of pain, healing and restoration

MANILA, Philippines – On the night of February 7, 1995, while her parents were at a Bible study session, Joy Tan-Chi was left at home with her younger siblings and two friends. It was then that the unthinkable happened – several armed men broke into their house, tied them up, looted their belongings, and raped her.

The men took turns abusing the 15-year-old as they ransacked each room in the house. She later found out that her two friends were also raped. “I tried not to scream because I feared they would kill my brother and sisters,” she recalled. It seemed like a nightmare that would never end.

After the incident, Joy was left with nothing but questions and doubt. She grew up in a Christian family with the values any parent would want in their teenager. She studied well, had no boyfriend, and served in church.

“I stood at an important crossroad in my life. Would I allow this tragedy to define my faith? Or, would I allow my faith to define this tragedy?”

Joy chose the latter. “I came to God in desperation. My only option was to trust Him,” she said.

In the midst of inexplicable pain, her family chose to turn to God for refuge. “We made a faith-decision to believe there was a purpose and a reason for allowing something so horrifying, though we couldn’t see it back then.”

That choice to trust God and forgive her abusers marked the beginning of healing and wholeness.

“I prayed, ‘God, you are sovereign. You love me. You are good. I don’t need to understand everything now, but I will hope in who You are.’” Slowly, she understood that her story would serve as a testimony of hope and restoration.

Some 20 years have passed and Joy’s story has touched thousands of lives. She has since shared it on television, in articles, speaking engagements, and women’s counseling groups.

“We all understand human tragedy. We all know what it is like to feel sorrow, loss, disappointment, and pain. And while bad things may happen to good people, it shouldn’t define who we become. We can still choose to believe that God has a divine plan. We can still choose to love and forgive,” she shares.

Last Sept. 15, she launched her first book with OMF Literature publishing entitled, “When a Good God allows Rape”, an autobiography detailing her journey from pain, to healing and wholeness. The book hopes to give hope to the wounded and broken-hearted. 

“When we heard about Joy’s moving and compelling story of pain and restoration, we knew it had to be in a book to be able to touch more lives. OMF Literature is extremely honored to be a part in the making of this milestone,” said Aleks Tan, OMF Literature chief executive officer.

Now married to news anchor Edric Mendoza, Joy has five beautiful children. She also maintains a blog entitled “Teach with Joy”, where she chronicles her life as a wife, a mother, and a homeschooling parent.

Nowadays, she reminisces about how the circumstances in her life finally fell into place. “When I look back on my life, I have been the recipient of much good. I am happily married to a wonderful, godly man. I am enjoying my children and the joys of parenting. I am now a stronger person.” 

She is the daughter of Peter Tan-Chi, senior pastor of the Christian mega-church, Christ’s Commission Fellowship, where she also serves alongside her husband.

“Like me, many of you have gone through personal tragedy. But I want to encourage you by saying that God purposes to write each person’s life story. The question is, will we let Him hold the pen? It is His authorship that makes a life beautiful,” she said. 

When a Good God Allows Rape is available at all OMF Literature bookstores, National Bookstore, and Philippine Christian Bookstore.

To know more about their books, visit www.omflit.com.