Pray for Rwanda

The Rwandan genocide transformed the people there. Heavily shaken by the horrors of hatred, Rwandans began to look past the ethnic differences that defined them and began to see each other’s humanity. Today, Rwandans are working together to move beyond their dark history and rebuild. On the last Saturday of the month, every adult in Rwanda gathers in their towns and villages to participate in “Umuganda.” During this community work day, people clean streets, plant trees, and repair roads and buildings. Even presidents roll up their sleeves and get to work! Rwandans in the capital, Kigali, look forward to monthly car-free days, where streets are blocked off and people gather outside to enjoy each other’s company. Rwanda has made great improvements to people’s income, education, and health. Though it is one of Africa’s smallest nations, it now is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.

In 1994, a plane carrying the president was shot down, and Hutu extremists in the government blamed Rwanda’s Tutsi minority for the attack. In three months, Hutu radicals murdered 800,000 people. By the time Tutsi forces captured the capital and stopped the killing, 75 percent of the Tutsi population was wiped out. Following these horrible events, a new government was established, ordering people to refer to themselves as Rwandans and not as Hutus or Tutsis. Though the government helped bring unity to the broken nation, it silences those who challenge its power, monitoring journalists and censoring disagreement. While the economy continues to grow, conflict with the Democratic Republic of the Congo undermines stability. Moreover, land shortages and harsh weather cause 40 percent of Rwandans — those who rely on agriculture — to live on three dollars a day.

Tragically, a nation that claimed Christianity allowed the 1994 genocide to ravage its people. The atrocities of the genocide and war caused people to turn from their faith. Trust in the Catholic Church was especially impacted. Gospel-centered evangelical churches have seen significant growth, but so have churches that teach prosperity theology or Christian legalism. Other Rwandans have turned to Islam, which now makes up 5 percent of the population. Still, 90 percent of Rwandans claim Christianity, and the faithfulness of many believers is encouraging. Numerous victims of Rwanda’s dark past have shown God’s love through forgiveness. Jesus continues to make Himself known to a generation in great need of healing.