Genocide

I broached the big subject tonight: Genocide. After training all the conference participants to use the Evangecube, we went into the lab (surrounding neighborhood) to use the cubes for evangelism—more on that in a bit. One member of my team, who served as my translator, and I connected so I asked him about what happened. I started by asking him what the lingering effects are on the people.

To first put this in perspective, this is only one person I’ve discussed this with, and he fled to Uganda during the actual killings.

His response was that some of the people are still traumatized by the event; however, there has been reconciliation between the Hutu and Tutsi. (If you’re scratching you’re head at what I’m referring to, rent Hotel Rwanda, or if you’re up for it, the more graphic Sometimes in April to get an idea for the 1 million who were slaughtered here in the mid ‘90s.)

Apparently the new mantra is “Never Again,” and the president of Rwanda (Rick Warren’s buddy) has even pledged to send troops to other countries to stop genocide if it looks as if one is beginning again. He told me they’ve sent some to Sudan, but I haven’t confirmed that.

From another gentlemen, I was told that there may be pockets of bitterness towards Christians and an openness to Islam because, apparently, the muslims would protect folks who sought sanctuary in the mosques while some Christian leaders and priests put up no resistance to those in the churches. Unsubstantiated by me, however, if true it’s shameful beyond words.

Imam becomes Christian Pastor
The man we’ll call “Z” from the closed Middle East country gave his testimony today. Z is an e3 partner (GMF guy) in his country and trains pastors and leaders to use the Evangecube all over the Middle East, including that one place where 100k+ of our finest and bravest are serving. He’s doing some fantastic work.

Here’s a real fast version of his testimony. He was from a nominal Christian family so under the influence of friends, he converted to Islam. He got flack from his family for becoming muslim, so he joined the army for independence. When his unit found out he had converted after growing up in a Christian family, they made him the unit’s Imam. Each unit in this country’s military has an Imam. An Imam is like a pastor for Islam.

To really condense a story, he realized that there was no guarantee of heaven for a muslim. After chewing on that for a while, he gave his life to Christ and received total assurance that his sins were forgiven and he was going to heaven after he died. Now he’s a pastor who drives a minibus around villages in his country. He offers rides to those without transportation and share the gospel with them once they step aboard. He’s been investigated several times by the intelligence service and has had attempts on his life, but he presses on towards the prize.

Photoblog of Thursday

Where we meet for the conference.

Curtis Hail, our CEO conducting Evangecube training.

Dr. Banda
The former vice president of International Operations for Compassion International and a former GMF board member, is with us here as well. He took a step down from the VP role to return to his mother country, Rwanda, to work for Compassion here. Really sharp guy.


Steve Cretin training the Rwandans to use the Evangecube.

Our Uganda national leader's daughter.

Practicing using the cube.

Going out into the "laboratory," the adjacent neighborhood to use the evangecube after being trained during the day.

Muvunyi John Peter on the left, me, and Pastor Emmanual Rokundo. Pastor Rokundo agreed to follow up on all the people who accept Christ from our trainees work in the neighborhood with the cube. There were just under 100 professions of faith this night.

Two ladies who accepted Christ after the guys on my team led them through the gospel presentation with the cube. The girl in the red was a muslim.