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
