Nearly 20 years ago...

You may or may not be familiar with Rwanda’s history, but if you’re like me (up until a few years ago) I actually had no idea that one of the worst genocides in history had taken place there.  In 1994, nearly 1 million people were killed in less than 100 days.   That is truly hard to believe, right?  To put it very simply, one tribe built up the idea that the other tribe needed to be eliminated.  A civil war of sorts had been raging for quite some time, but on April 6, 1994, the unthinkable began.  Militia and rebels tore through the small country killing men, women and children, leaving complete devastation.   I encourage you to do a quick search if you aren’t familiar with the history.

At the Kigali Genocide Memorial...built on a site where 250,000 victims are buried.

This is Jane, who at the age of 5 witnessed her mom being killed in the genocide.

Jane shared with us that she fled to the Congo, and was gathered up along with other orphans by the Red Cross and was brought back to Rwanda.  They lined up and families picked them one by one to take them in, but Jane did not get picked by anyone.  She ran from the Red Cross and hid, sleeping in the fields at night.  She began hearing dogs and was afraid to stay in the fields so she found a house and slept behind it.  She intended to wake up early and leave so they wouldn't find her there.  However, she was so tired from many sleepless nights that she didn't wake up early.  When she finally awoke, there were several people standing over her.  She was overcome with fear as the memory of how her mom was killed flooded her mind.  She thought they were going to kill her.  But one woman reached out and said she would take her in.  She brought her home and told her they were going to worship at New Life Church.  Now she is thriving and full of HOPE! 

When I met Jane in November 2012, she was in the sewing program with Africa New Life.  70 women a year learn tailoring, giving them a chance for future employment and an opportunity to escape the cycle of poverty.  They also have weekly devotionals and daily discipleship, transforming their lives in so many ways.

Everyone over the age of 20 in Rwanda has been directly affected by the genocide.  Even some younger are still being affected, as they were born to HIV infected mothers (a tragic, intentional war crime by the rebels).

Despite the mark of pain and loss in their history, the people of Rwanda have been able, through forgiveness and what seems like impossible grace, to move forward in unity and rebuild their country in peace.  

If you’d like to learn more about Rwanda, here are some books that Africa New Life recommended to me before traveling there:

About the genocide-

*Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust

by Immaculee Llibagiza

*We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from

Rwanda

by Philip Gourevitch

Lead by Faith: Rising from the Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide

by Immaculee Llibagiza

 

About Rwanda-

*Land of a Thousand Hills

by Rosamund Halsey Carr and Ann Howard Halsey

A Thousand Hills: Rwanda’s Rebirth and the Man Who Dreamed It

by Stephen Kinzer

*books I was able to find at our public library

  

We also read When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Yourself  by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert.   I highly recommend this book for anyone who does any kind of outreach.  Even if you aren’t involved in outreach to the poor, this is a great read.  It will get you thinking about our own country and how our own welfare system is affecting our society.  What I love about it is the idea that sustainable change for those living in poverty has to come from the inside (not from the outside).  While temporary handouts in times of emergency are vital, people in the cycle of poverty have to be empowered to help themselves.  That is one reason why the ability to receive education in countries like Rwanda is key.  

I'll be writing more about how you, yes YOU can be a part of that kind of change and empowerment for someone in Rwanda, so stay tuned!