Forgiveness

Forgiveness

Imagine your sister slain by her own husband

It’s the hardest thing to give away
and the last thing on your mind today
it always goes to those that don’t deserve

Forgiveness

Imagine you are hiding in the marshes with your precious 6 month strapped to your back. Her cries alert them to her whereabouts. The baby is killed while you are left to bleed out. The perpetrator’s machete has marked your face and removed your hand while you are left to die.

It’s the hardest thing to give away
and the last thing on your mind today
it always goes to those that don’t deserve

Forgiveness

In 1994, 800,000 Rwandans were killed simply because of their lineage. Women, men and children brutally attacked, maimed and murdered. 800,000 killed in 90 days.  Most families obliterated leaving one or two family members alive to tell and left to FORGIVE.

Now imagine you have to grant the perpetrators FORGIVENESS. This is happening throughout the land of Rwanda. Groups of people coming together to work with those who hurt them. Killers helping the survivors, constructing homes for those they wronged. Helping them cultivate their crops. Helping build orphanages for those left orphaned.  We met a group of 4 people in a peace and reconciliation group. Perpetrators and survivors sitting side by side.  The accused told us that survivors are now there best friends.  The survivors told us you have to grant forgiveness or it’s a heavy burden that will imprison you.

Francois found forgiveness while he was in prison.  Prison was his blessing where he had time to pray and to hear the voice of God and ask for forgiveness

It’ll clear the bitterness await can even set a prisoner free

there is no end to what its power can do

FORGIVENESS

So, let it go and be amazed

By what you see through eyes of grace
the prisoner that it really frees is you

FORGIVENESS

I kept thinking about this song by Matthew West called Forgiveness as these people spoke. I have distinguished the lyrics in orange. The only way I believe this nation could move forward is through forgiveness and truth. Fittingly this groups name is Ukuri Kuganze which translates LET TRUTH TRIUMPH.  Then you will know the truth and the truth WILL set you free. John 8:32

FORGIVENESS

A new year of sacrifices

Last year I started this journey of giving something up every month to enable myself to share more with others in need. This year I wanted to try something different. I read about this in Donald Miller's book Blue Like Jazz. One of his friends decided not to purchase any new clothing for a year. I really wanted to attempt this in 2013. This is a sacrifice because I am not only going to give up clothing for me but my nieces. If you knew me that is huge. I buy 5 beautiful little girls an outfit every birthday, Easter and Christmas. I haven't figured out the numbers yet of what type of savings that translates into but with just giving up the girls outfits that's about $300 per year. Look for more posts to where that money will be poured into. What are you giving up this year to help others in need?