An Example to the World
TimeWatch Editorial
August 10, 2016
For many, the first time Rwanda became a place of interest was in the year 1994, during the months of April through July. It was then that the world was informed that there was a serious genocide taking place in that country. Approximately half a million Rwandans were killed during that period. The Hutus, who were for the most part in control of the government, simply slaughtered the Tutsis. According to the Free Encyclopedia,
“The genocide took place in the context of the Rwandan Civil War , an ongoing conflict beginning in 1990 between the Hutu-led government and the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), which was largely composed of Tutsi refugees whose families had fled to Uganda following earlier waves of Hutu violence against the Tutsi. International pressure on the Hutu-led government of Juvénal Habyarimana resulted in a ceasefire in 1993, with a roadmap to implement the Arusha Accords , which would create a power-sharing government with the RPF. Genocidal killings began the following day; soldiers, police, and militia quickly executed key Tutsi and moderate Hutu military and political leaders who could have assumed control in the ensuing power vacuum.” Rwandan genocide, The Free Encyclopedia
The battle was fierce. The army began arming civilians with weapons such as machetes. As I said, the fighting was brutal. The methods of assault were depraved and wanton. No-one was safe. The tragedy of it was that the United States refused to intervene. The whole world abandoned Rwanda to the bloody, brutal conflict.
“The genocide had a lasting and profound impact on Rwanda and its neighboring countries. The pervasive use of rape as a weapon of war caused a spike in HIV infection, including babies born of rape to newly infected mothers; many households were headed by orphaned children or widows. The destruction of infrastructure and the severe depopulation of the country crippled the economy, challenging the nascent government to achieve rapid economic growth and stabilization. The RPF military victory and installation of an RPF-dominated government prompted many Hutus to flee to neighboring countries, particularly in the eastern portion of Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo), where the Hutu genocidaires began to regroup in refugee camps along the border with Rwanda. Declaring a need to avert further genocide, the RPF-led government led military incursions into Zaire, including the First (1996–97) and Second (1998–2003) Congo Wars. Armed struggles between the Rwandan government and their opponents in DRC have continued to play out through proxy militias in the Goma region, including the M23 rebellion (2003–2013). Large Rwandan Hutu and Tutsi populations continue to live as refugees throughout the region.” Rwandan genocide, The Free Encyclopedia
The news concerning Rwanda has changed however. On June 02, 2016, Gisenyi, and Prince Bahati, communication director for the East Central Africa Division writing of the Adventist Review published the following article: “Historic evangelism meetings in Rwanda yield 97,344 baptisms.” The article states the following:
“A record breaking 97,344 people in Rwanda committed themselves to Christ and joined the Seventh-day Adventist Church through baptism as a result of an evangelistic series that took place throughout the country from May 13 – May 28. Additional baptisms connected to ongoing meetings during the next few weeks are expected to bring the total to more than 100,000, making the series the largest of its kind in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. In his remarks, Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, commended the Church in Rwanda for being an unprecedented model of “Total Member Involvement." Gisenyi, and Prince Bahati, “Historic evangelism meetings in Rwanda yield 97,344 baptisms.” June 02, 2016
Yes the number of people baptized is 97,344. This is not a typographical error, 97,344 souls in a period of fifteen days. President Ted Wilson’s comments are worth repeating, especially in the context of the method of evangelism that is described as “Total Member Involvement.”
“In his remarks, Ted Wilson, president of the Seventh-day Adventist world church, commended the Church in Rwanda for being an unprecedented model of “Total Member Involvement." “You are an example for the entire world. We praise God for that,” Wilson told a crowd of 6,000 people at the final Sabbath worship service in the city of Gisenyi. “Total Member Involvement” is an initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church that encourages its 19.1 million members worldwide to find ways to share Jesus with friends and community members. The previous record was 30,000 baptisms after a two-week evangelistic series in Zimbabwe in May 2015.” Gisenyi, and Prince Bahati, “Historic evangelism meetings in Rwanda yield 97,344 baptisms.” June 02, 2016
In light of its history, is it not just like God to use the unexpected to demonstrate his power and his glory? There is indeed much to learn here, so much to learn.
Cameron A. Bowen
