Reflections of April

I’ve served in Africa for more than 10 years now…7 of those have been in Rwanda. Each and every April I am reminded of the pain and trauma so many endured during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.  For most in the western culture, it is easy to dismiss as a time they would rather not think about. However, for a very significant Rwandese population…they will never  forget.

I can hear the individual stories yet I cannot begin to imagine what it must have been like for them. I pray that True Vineyard Ministries continues to be a safe place that provides a steady income, healthcare and individual counseling for these women.  Most of all, my prayer is that we provide a conduit for their healing along with spiritual council that will lead each of them to a deeper relationship with Christ

When we hire a new woman, she is given an opportunity to share prayer requests and her story with us.  Sometimes we are not prepared for what we hear.  Such was the case last week with Edith who was 17 years old in 1994.

Edith was one of 8 children. Her parents and 6 of her siblings were murdered during the genocide.  Edith spent 3 days lying unconscious in a heap of dead bodies where killers had thrown her body. They believed she was also dead after hacking her body multiple times with a machete.  By the grace of God Edith survived.  Her physical wounds did not heal until six years later in 2000.

We have been enormously blessed with a remarkable staff in Rwanda who cares deeply for our women and are committed to counseling those who have suffered so much. I never imagined that God would use this ministry to bring about healing for so many who have experienced unimaginable things.

All of us are grateful for the opportunity to know and love these women.  Mostly, we are honored to serve God in such a unique and special way. 

Please join us this month as we pray for our management staff and the 44 women we employ. God is doing great things through this ministry

Blessings,

Diana