It has been an exciting weekend. Valerie, who will be one of our first full time workers while in Rwanda just left this morning. We were happy she could participate in our drama on Sunday and the board meeting last night.
God gave me a wonderful drama and added to it as I kept listening to the song "I Can Only Imagine". We have been blessed by our home church to present the work in Rwanda for the next four weeks. God gave us the drama to help visualize what happened in Rwanda and the contradiction of what part the Body of Christ did and what God wants us to be to the world.
As the song played " I Can Only Imagine" we silently acted out the measuring and examination of people, separating them to symbolize three tribal people of Rwanda. Tutsi, Hutu and Twa. The colonist and white missionaries took part in this most discriminatory event. The Tutsi people became favored with gifts of money and education; the Hutu people became sub servant and the Twa historically have been despised.
No, not all missionaries took part. No, not all of the Body of Christ participated in the genocide. Many say those who did take part in the killing could never have been born again. Never the less, these deeds were done, just as many others in the world today --- in the Name Of Christ." These are the deeds as a Church we can no longer deny. We must recognize people who do not know the Lord personally, blame the Church ( His Body) for many events. These events occurred using the name of Jesus or verses from the Bible to validate supremacy of a race. It is time for Christians to rise up in faith and prayer believing strongholds of all prejudice will be broken. But it must be broken in our own hearts first.
Thankfully, Rwanda no longer has identity cards stating which tribe a person ethnic identity has come from. All people are considered 'Rwandans", even the white man who live among them. Normally our name is Muzungu, meaning white person. However, we have heard testimonies this is not something the President of Rwanda desires. The country is working hard to make sure any kind of "genocide ideology" is rooted up and spoken out against. Any type of ideology of one person's ethnic background specifically if found in larger groups or public manners is attempted to be defused immediately.
As missionaries we recognize the importance of this history. In repentance, forgiveness and reconciliation. God has given us the vision for the Spirit of God to work deeper in all our lives; to provide a safe place for healing. Healing from events lived through with the hope only the Lord Jesus Christ can give us for our future.
It is our hope this blog will represent the ministry God has called my husband and I to do, along with a team of Rwandans and others from America. Many have followed our journey through my weekly email updates. In these updates I share my heart. The struggles, journey, hardships and joys of missionary life. However over time they can get a bit confusing with names and programs. I am trusting I can write the beginning of this blog in a way to give some sort of order for people to follow.
May it encourage your heart. Dare to dream God's dreams. Ask Him for HIS dreams to dwell in your heart. He will bring them to pass.
