Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust On a scale of 1-5:The title sounds catchy and intriguing but with a sub-title of "Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust" it suddenly sounds heavy. It is hard to wrap your mind around why this all occurred. It's not racial because the Hutus and Tutsis are all the same color. It's not sexist, it's not age discrimination, it's none of the basic tenents of Diversity and protection against discrimination that we usually think of. The best I could understand is it would be like Democrats and Republicans declaring an all out war against each other and fighting to the bloody death. Gruesome: 4 Suspense: 3 Morality: 5 Yet at other times it seems like faith would be easy - like when she goes back to her dorm room. After months of war, destruction is everywhere. yet she finds a letter from her one remaining brother and an envelope with her high school diploma, her college grades and $30. And what she accomplishes with that money sounds incredible - $1 for a cab ride, clothes, and groceries for a family for one month. Like the loaves and the fishes multiplied! Even though it is a fantastic blessing it is clear that as much as these small incidents are appreciated and praised, they do not undo the horrific suffering that she incurred. Instead it is an incredible determination, strong will and deep faith that get her through. I was repeatedly amazed that she knew what to pray for. In the midst of grief - I don't know many people who would have the presence of mind to ask God to release them from it. Or in the middle of a war to have the wisdom to ask God to show you how to forgive the enemy. Immaculee though is continually and incredibly insightful. I absolutely loved the first paragraph of the Epilogue: "It's impossible to predict how long it will take a broken heart to heal. I was blessed, though: with God's help, my heart was strong enough to love another after two years." I love this because it is encouraging and non-judgemental - and so true! Everyone heals at their own pace. This book can provide a lot of encouragement, direction and inspiration for all types of healing - but everyone's journey is their own. Questions Question: Can you imagine all family members with different last names? What last name would you have given your children? Discuss: The book includes a quote from Victor Frankl, a WWII holocaust survivor, before the Foreword, "When we are no longer able to change a situation - we are challenged to change ourselves." How ca you apply this to your life? How does prayer factor in? Question:
Immaculee's dad would sometimes come home late and get all four kids
out of bed to sit with him while he ate dinner. What breaking-all-the-rules memories do you have from your childhood or with your own children? Question: Do you agree with the parents' decision to shelter their children from the history of racial (tribal) tension? Question: Now that you know the outcome, what do you think about the psychic's prediction on p. 29, "...The storm will last for three months and many will die. Those who escape will find no one to turn to - every friendly face will have perished." Question: If you were Pastor Murinzi, how would you chose who to hide and who to turn away? Discuss: The key to fighting the war was within herself - to survive she had to keep hold of her faith. Yet she had every reason to give up and feel God had abandoned her. What determines the crossing of that fine line or not? Question: When you think about experiencing such a war zone with killings all around, do you also consider daily life like headaches and menstrual cycles. Would that add to your suffering or be a distraction and a hope for a return to a normal life? Discuss: Immaculee struggled with asking God for protection while she felt such hatred in her heart for the killers. How can this situation be reconciled? Tell of a time when your prayers were answered. Discuss: p. 114 "...God never shows us something we aren't ready to understand. Instead, He lets us see what we need to see, when we need to see it. He'll wait until our eyes and hearts are open to Him, and then when we're ready, He will plant our feet on the path that's best for us...but it's up to us to do the walking." Agree? Past experience? Question: Immaculee received direct messages from God, such as moving the wardrobe or learning English. Have you ever received such a message? Did you act on it? What was the outcome? Discuss: What did you think when the French said they were closing camp and moving the Rwandans out? Theme Ideas Hold your meeting, or part of your meeting in a small bathroom or other small space. Make a memento for your guests to remind them that they are 'the daughter of the kindest, most powerful king the world [has] ever known. (p. 106) Record a CD of motivational music for your guests to take with them. Consider including songs such as:
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