by Jay L. Greener, AMiA Communications

The nation of Rwanda continues to emerge from its nightmare of genocide twelve years ago. There has been a lot of progress, but much remains to be done as the spectre of one million deaths continues to hover over the memories of a whole generation. A current bright spot in the recovery is “Hope Rwanda”, a national crusade aimed at intervening in the lives of Rwandans for the sake of hope, progress, and healing.

The 100 day event, seeking to undo the power of 100 days of genocide in 1994, began last month in the nation’s capitol and will reach out to every region of the country. “We have been blessed—it’s been a successful launch,” beamed Bishop John Rucyahana, President of the Hope Rwanda crusade, recently in Chicago to address a group supporting Rwandan causes. He related that Hope Rwanda’s initial meeting drew together 800 top national leaders to hear from Mark Zschech, an Australian who began work organizing the concept following several visits to Rwanda, including genocide sites. His wife Darlene, well-known worship leader and composer from Hillsong Church in Sydney, presented a concert following comments from Rwanda’s President. “It was important to have these dignitaries involved from the very start, as this is a national effort that will shape the entire country. We can’t import hope, after all, it must be born from our own pain,” stated Bishop Rucyahana.

The start of the crusade was followed by a preaching event in the Amohoro Stadium in Kigali that drew tens of thousands. American Joyce Meyer shared how Jesus Christ brought her hope and strength, in spite of the years of abuse she suffered from her father. Meyer said that Rwanda would emerge victorious from its dark struggle. “You will get a double blessing from your trouble,” she told the thousands gathered, citing Isaiah 61:7. Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs.

The base of Hope Rwanda is spiritual, but many other activities and projects are planned that relate to economic, social and physical wholeness. Heart doctors from Australia performed surgeries on 50 children at a Kigali hospital. Wells will be dug, buildings constructed and teachers trained, as many world-wide ministries and organizations focus on rebuilding and strengthening the country in three months. “This is not just philosophy, or looking to heaven some day,” remarked the Bishop,” but it is about life today. If Jesus came to give abundant life, then we need to repent, and engage the whole power of the gospel.”

While Rwanda has made much progress in its climb from national despair, the reminders of 1994 are everywhere. A whole generation of children was orphaned, and the work of reconciliation and forgiveness is not easily or quickly achieved. “Many of those who were children at the time are just now remembering their parent’s deaths, through nightmares and flashbacks,” explains Sandi Harding, a missions worker from Atlanta living in Rwanda. Many of the victims are just now being given proper burials, as most who died were placed in mass graves. As they have been exhumed, surviving relatives often recognize clothing and other personal articles, and are thrown back a dozen years to relive those three months of horror.

”It’s tempting to dismiss—people don’t want to look at suffering. So they deny the long-term impact of genocide,” observed Bishop Rucyahana. “But people have the opportunity to respond now.” He and many others are concerned about what they see happening in Darfur, and the possible repeat of the Rwandan story. “After the holocausts—Armenian, Jewish—we heard ‘never again’. Then we had Rwanda, which should have been prevented. Now 200,000 have already lost their lives in Sudan, and others are dying in the camps,” reflected the bishop, who’s concerned that the church in the West is not doing enough to learn about the situation and speak out for justice and truth.
This is why the work of Hope Rwanda is so important—that the cycle of death and hatred can be broken when the gospel of Christ is proclaimed, lived out, and allowed to transform lives.

Photo: Pastor Richardson preaching at youth event
In the bishop’s own diocese in Ruhengeri over two thousand participated in a youth crusade that saw over 500 profess faith in Christ for the first time in their lives. 74 pastors from the region were there, as well as a team from St. Peter’s Anglican Church (AMiA) in Birmingham, Alabama. Christ Anglican Church (AMiA) in Mobile has also sent workers for the Hope Crusade, further strengthening ties between the Anglican Church of Rwanda and its missionary arm in the United States, the Anglican Mission in The Americas.



Hope Crusade will continue until July, but the long-term impact will be felt for some time, according to Bishop Rucyahana. "Rwandans will regain confidence and be transformed and strengthened in hope. This will create a strong nation, equipped to teach the next generation positive things as enshrined in the Bible. If the Devil used 100 days to destroy the country, what can God do in 100 days? How much can He build Rwanda?” asked Bishop Rucyahana. In the bishop’s smile you can sense the answer.

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