A STRANGE THING


 

There is only one way to achieve happiness on this terrestrial ball, and that is to have either a clear conscience or none at all.

Ogden Nash

 

During my trip to Rwanda last month, we visited the Genocide Memorial Museum (I’ve shared some of the pictures from that trip on the website gallery) and I was able to see some vivid reminders of Rwanda’s dark history.

 

As we visited one of the church sites where thousands had been betrayed and these horrific murders took place, a young man who survived the killings narrated his ordeal as he took us around the church. I struggled to hear how the church played an ungodly role.

 

He narrated how the media was used to play a huge role in brainwashing the Hutus by spouting hate and divisive propaganda through television, radio and the national newspapers. They encouraged killings, while hardening the collective conscience of the people, using excuses and claiming that the Tutsis were nothing but cockroaches. They published what they dubbed ‘the Ten Commandments’ for the Hutus.

 

Unfortunately, international intervention came too late because in one hundred days, close to one million people had been brutally killed in the most inhumane ways. The damage to individuals, families, communities and the nation, was irreversible.

 

It was truly harrowing and very difficult to listen as this young man narrated his experience of losing his family to the genocide.

I could only try to imagine his experience and the trauma of what it must have been like for him to live through betrayal from his neighbours and friends who suddenly changed to become murderers without conscience, just giving excuses; all for selfish reasons like acquiring the wealth and properties of others.

I couldn’t comprehend the magnitude of what he had been through having lived through the genocide however, I can identify with betrayals, bribery, lies, deception, insincerity, pretense and the selfish greed of people who are able to defend their actions with excuses while the media is used to spread false information under the guise of the truth.

My daughter puts it simply… “People who only care for themselves are never to be trusted”. Coming from a child’s perspective.

Comments

C
Chinelo Eze
It is extremely sad what happened in Rwanda and how long it took the world to realize the debacle. Hopefully, the nation would continue in her healing. Reading your post and thinking about betrayal and loyalty (the opposite of betrayal), reminds me of how Jonathan remained loyal to his friend David in the face of obvious wrath from his father, King Saul (1 Sam 18-20). Jonathan stood by the truth rather than betray his friend. There is a huge lesson in life to be gleaned from that. Betrayal is most painful because it comes from those one has loved and trusted. I am also reminded of the story of Julius Caesar at his assassination when he was stabbed at the back by Brutus. It took the life out of him cause he did not expect one so close to betray him. Hence, his popular saying “Et tu, Brute?” which means “ you, too, Brutus?”. The great thing is that God is able to heal our hearts no matter how deep the wound is! Thanks Pastor for sharing this.
D
David
Totally agree, that any one who cares for themselves only cannot be trusted. They will betray for a loaf of bread. Like E.W Kenyon wrote, Love and Selfishness are the two forces that motivate man, either one or the other, the two don't mix
L
Louis Ovonlen
Just as this post recalls the Rawanda genocide we are jolted by the recent atrocity in Paris. Obviously being inhumane and outright evil evident in both cases though to different severity and barbarity. Again you point out the role the media play which often allows perpetrators continue their evil deeds while distracting the populace with irrelevancies. Sadly, these distraction gain hold more often than not which compounds misery. Thank you Ma, for the poignant reminder of our responsibility for sensitivity, selflessness, awareness and research to help deal with the issues of our time.
D
Deji
In the last days men shall be lovers of themselves...... Sadly this includes all men, without exception and including Christians and other men of faith. We are truly in the last days. The handwriting is their all over the wall. 2 Timothy 3 (New International Version (NIV)) 3 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people. 6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7 always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. 8 Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9 But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone. But thank God!!!, Jesus Christ is coming back again, for a church without spots nor wrinkles...... My question to all is.... 'Will you be in his band wangon'?. God bless you
I
isabella mukankusi
For many we have moved on from this horrific event. Many may not understand but this is a subject that God has mightly enabled us live past. No matter how many questions we ask ......we will never get answers. We watched us our loved ones were butchered and raped. Please ma this is not the forum for this discussion. Not at this time please. This discussion is pointless. God has helped us and is still helping us.
A
Angel
A reminder these church people called as Christians and we are among them, we need to behave ourselves according to the Word of God given to Paul who wrote all these Epistles to remind us we who belong to Christ need to renew our minds-set with the Word, and not with the World. We need and must be Christ-like.
C
Chinenye
I just finished studying my Bible before clicking to your site to see this post enforcing what the Lord just taught me. I had to write them out to printed and pasted in my office. I feel like sharing it. 7 Things The Lord Hate (ABOMINATION) - Proverbs 6 vs 16 - 19 1. Haughty eyes 2. A lying tongue 3.Hands that shed innocent blood 4.Heart that devises wicked plans 5.Feet that makes haste to run to evil 6. A false witness who breathes out lies 7.One who sows discord among brothers. Thank you for sharing this beautiful post. Sin cannot turn right because it is committed in church or by church people. 1.
J
John
The heart of man is wicked only the spirit of God indwelling in him can change him. This is why the bible said to renew our mind. When you turn the pages of newspapers you will be inundated with news of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, corruption and hate. But the bible say we are the light of the world so it be-hove on us to be role models by doing and teaching good so that at least we can impact on those that come in contact with us.
J
JGolden
This is so true of the insensitivity of man to man especially thise motivated and moved by wicked spirits, definitely not of God. Anyway, Jesus, himself suffered these things. He was betrayed, abandoned by those He had close knit relatiomship with during His time of trial because they were so short sighted they couldn't see the victory coming out of tje trial
J
JGolden
Just to say, we are In the last days and men are idols of themselves, truth is washed down the drain, justice is denied the poor and social vices are esteemed instead of reproved. Its truely the end of days.
C
clintsman
ust to say, we are In the last days and men are idols of themselves, truth is washed down the drain, justice is denied the poor and social vices are esteemed instead of reproved. Its truely the end of days.