Forgiving Does Not Mean Forgetting

“Darkness TO LIGHT”

FORGIVING does not mean FORGETTING

First, a little background history on Rwanda. Rwanda was comprised of three tribes when the Belgian colonists arrived in 1916. The Hutu, Tutsi and the Twa. The Belgians manipulated and divided the tribes by deeming one more superior than the other. They then issued them identity cards stating their appointed tribe. The Tutsis were discriminately favored and given better jobs as well as superior educational opportunities.

This division caused further animosity and bitterness. Eventually in 1962 after Rwanda was granted independence, the majority of Hutus took power. After the death of the president of Rwanda in 1994 the horrific genocide began. His plane was shot down and shortly after recruits were disbursed and the atrocious, vigorous brutal slaughtering of Rwandans went on for approximately 100 days.

If someone has hurt you deeply, if you have been carrying hatred in your heart. If you have been abused, molested, rejected, humiliated, deceived, maligned, called names, persecuted, lied on or feel shame give up the bitterness! If you are unable to forgive or you feel that you have been wronged or mistreated. If life does not seem to be going your way. I want you to take some time and ponder on what happened here in Rwanda. You will find out that “With GOD ALL things ARE POSSIBLE.”

True Biblical Counseling often requires a brutal transparency that is not always pleasant. Like a Gethsemane experience it can initially be difficult. But you can emerge with new found freedom as you realize that what GOD knows about you is what matters most. He knows everything. With the HELP of the LORD you can overcome anything. You will no longer have to shift or conform to the wishes of others for acceptance. You will or can become comfortable in your skin wherever you are. Begin to go forward in your life KNOWING GOD LOVES YOU! He will never leave nor forsake you! He has a plan for your life! START TODAY GOING FORWARD!!!

Now I want to take some time and share with you what they shared with me.

We had such a memorable, extraordinary, marvelous evening with our Rwandan friends from PHARP –Rwanda. Pastor Anastase, Marie Louise, Julienne and Pastor Protais worked effortlessly as a team. PHARP stands for Peace building, Healing, and Reconciliation Program in Rwanda. They openly and sincerely shared in graphic detail their heart wrenching experiences during the Rwandan Genocide. It is now reported that there were actually closer to 2,000,000 lives brutally taken during the 100 days of the Rwandan Genocide! We will be forever grateful for the experience . Our son Evangelist Jamal Ogans along with the Horizon Community Church were able to actually go to Rwanda and minister to them. They forged ahead diligently amidst the transitioning community of Rwanda to help facilitate their mission to bring about healing, restoration and reconciliation.

During the 100 days of genocide between 250,000 and 500,000 women were raped. More than 67% of those women were purposely and systematically infected by HIV+ men as a weapon of genocide. One Pastor shared how his wife, children, and mother along with a total of 46 relatives were massacred. He had to hide out in the swamp for 41 days without food. He only had contaminated swamp water to sip.

Despite the often assumed stereotype keep in mind, generally most "people of color" do not seek revenge! It is far better and superior to SEEK GOD! Don't ever let anyone put you into their little box. Live each day to include the LORD in every aspect of your life. It is important to be aware of those who cause division and are very divisive and will do whatever is necessary to place others under their control. It is due to their own narrow mindedness. Pray for discernment! Know there is absolutely nowhere you can go, nothing you can say do or think that God is not aware of. God is omniscient! Strive each day to live a life pleasing in the sight of the Lord and not man. You can reach God Almighty wherever you are 24/7.

What happened during the genocide in Rwanda is an excellent example of what happens when those who seek power will do it at all cost. They will often seek others who are dependent upon them or will do whatever they ask without question. This is why it is so important to know God and His Word for yourself!

Please stay with me for a few minutes and ponder these facts in your heart! Here are a few more of the many statistics resulting from the aftermath of the genocide:

*There are 300,000 to 400,000 survivors of the genocide.

*Nearly 100,000 survivors are aged between 14 and 21, of which 60,000 are considered as very vulnerable.

*75,000 of survivors were orphaned as a result of the genocide. Over half of these children have become impoverished, traumatized and have stopped going to school.

*There are 10 times as many widows than widowers – almost 50,000 widows of the genocide.

*40,000 are still without shelter.

*7 in 10 survivors earn a monthly income of less than 5,000 Rwandan Francs, which equals to $8.00 in American Dollars.

*These statistics are complied at www.surviors-fund.org.uk

The Rwanda genocide was real! Thousands of homeless and orphaned children. Yet these children of God stand tall, firmly and purposely in their concerted efforts to bring about the ongoing process of “Forgiveness and Reconciliation.” They have come here to America to share a powerful message. The Country of Rwanda is in the continual much needed ongoing process of healing and restoration. Many of those who participated in the genocide have been released from prison and are now back in the community. Many have accepted Jesus Christ. Today there are no longer identity cards they are all called Rwandans! They are committed to moving forward in overcoming the barriers of the past.

This dedicated team, along with many others are dedicated to assisting and empowering the remaining Rwandans. This is not without its challenges. Keep in mind that within the Church there, many pastors face the dilemma of having survivors and those perpetrators of genocide within the same congregation. They are diligently working to make a difference. They are reaching out and helping to rebuild a country that has been devastated. Trauma Counseling and healing, peace building, reconciliation, self-help groups, youth programs and vocational training and income generating projects are inclusive along with much prayer, worship and praise! We support, pray for and solicit your prayers for all Rwandans as well.

It is not necessary to go through the same things that others go through to have genuine compassion and empathy. We serve an Omniscient God who is able to Help us in all areas of life to minister to all ages. With the HELP of the Lord, we can do this regardless if people are of all colors, rich or poor any place in this world whenever the environment is right. When the presence of the Holy Spirit is truly welcomed. The Lord can use whomever He so desires. One must be seriously committed and submit to the Lord for direction... It is always a Blessing to see His Grace in motion.

It is important to know that the family of God consists of a plethora of people throughout the world. We all come in different sizes, shapes, colors, races and cultures. There is not going to be a corner in heaven that’s designated for Blacks, one for Whites, one for Reds, Browns, Yellow, Biracial or multicolored people. This is why I see myself as Colored! I know who I am in the Lord! It goes so much deeper than the color of one’s skin, how they look, who they are, where they have lived, what one has or does not have nor their varied diverse cultural backgrounds and traditions. God knows who His children are. He knows everything. THANK YOU LORD for setting Me/Us FREE!

Life is serious. So live it striving to daily please the Lord! I assure you, you will be or become a lot happier. Life is precious. Truly having the Lord in your life will make all the difference in the world. I personally DO NOT spend a lot of time in foolishness, nor trying to explain myself to people who are bent on misconstruing everything you do and say... "Whatever You DO, DO it as unto the Lord!"

It is important to know that God alone is Sovereign! He does not need us! We all need Him! He places and arranges the members in the Body of His Universal Church as it pleases Him. We are grateful for all that He has done for us and allowed us to witness and experience. He knows where each and every one of us are in our spiritual growth and development. He has given us the necessary talents and gifts to accomplish whatever He has created us to do.

In many situations within the Church here in America, on various levels worldly methods have been adopted. The ways and methods of the world’s reasoning and social divisiveness has resulted in much division. Many seek to unconsciously and consciously control and dominate others with a slave mentality. There is an underground thought process to put others under them rather than GOD over us all. Tradition, Denomination & Non Denominational practices all too often takes the forefront. Manipulation has been erroneously embraced by many of God’s people. True deliverance really is possible. Truly God is more than able.

It is very important to know the Word of God firsthand. We as His “children” are to consistently spend time with the Lord developing a vivacious strong ongoing, endearing ever growing transparent relationship with Him and come to know Jesus Christ as your personal Savior! This way you will not be “tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.” You do not have to strive to control or dominate anyone. Nor do you have to argue what you know to be true. This only displays and reflects one’s own insecurity. Quite the contrary. God is ultimately in control! Jesus led by example. He spent the majority of His time beyond the walls... Spiritual "ONENESS" is possible! It is not something that you can manipulate. When you do you only produce unspiritual robots. GOD has given us His Holy Spirit who is with us. Our body then becomes the Temple He resides in. It is truly desiring the LORD'S WILL above whatever you want or how you want it to be. Our purpose is to daily live out God’s principles and foster a desire in others to want to come and know Jesus as Lord and Savior as well. Ultimately it is your solid, committed relationship with Him, that will sustain you as you go through any of life’s many challenges.

WIth the Lord you can experience numerous mountaintop experiences.

In spite of all that has happened to them, these Rwandan’s have come to share their “Mission of FORGIVENESS & RECONCILIATION” of genocide! To impart the valuable knowledge they’ve learned. Webster defines forgiveness as: to give up resentment of, or claim requital; forgive an insult. To forgive does not mean that you have to ever allow others to insult or disrespect you. They know the value of confronting the truth of whatever has happened. Contrary to what is often said forgiveness does not mean you forget. It means to lay aside any ill will and pardon the wrong that was done. You do not seek to take revenge, You commit to standing up for yourself whenever necessary. When people have wronged you they often feel guilt and fear retaliation. Don't let their projected fear become your truth.

The Fruit of God’s Spirit will and can flourish in your life when you elect to embrace and implement His principles in your own daily life. True forgiveness comes from God. Joy & Peace are by products of His Fruit! Knowing the Lord, having a relationship with Him and applying His Word makes all or can make all the difference in the world. God's Word is the necessary Spiritual Food for our souls. This is why it is important to read and relate to it properly. For it is the necessary the living bread from heaven. It is the continued manna that the Lord has supplied.

Through their heartfelt sharing our love, faith, trust in God, and our commitment has been greatly enhanced that much more. It has personally added to my spiritual wellspring. They are truly walking in the “Light of His Word.” As a child of God I know wholeheartedly that God is able! Being a Christian is a daily lifestyle. We are living in a time when many will say and do some of everything. One must be aware at all times. It is amazing to know and realize that absolutely nothing goes on with anyone or anywhere that God is not aware of. The Rwandan genocide is mind boggling. In our little finite minds we will never fully comprehend the “why” of a lot of things. But I do know that ALL GOD'S WORD is true. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers (and sisters) … Romans 8. God did not say that it all would be good. But, He did say that He would work it out for good. Ask yourself? Is your purpose really His purpose? What really inspires you?

We are eternally thankful for the many we have met all throughout the world. For the many places that we have traveled. The Lord has allowed us to see, witness and experience many wonderful things... We thank our Holy Father for the "Security & Significance" we have in Him. We are eternally grateful for all that He has done. For all that He is doing and for all that He will continue do in the future. We have learned how to lean and depend on CHRIST JESUS our LORD and SAVIOR! "For it is in HIM we LIVE and MOVE and HAVE our BEING..."

Truly; "The LORD is my SHEPHERD." We thank Him for calling us to be His children, HIS Evangelists, Ministers/Elders and Ambassadors.

The eyewitness account of the Rwandan genocide was enlightening and life changing. Their God given joy was evident and shined forth from their countenance as they each shared their amazing testimonies. They without question, are definitely walking in the “Light of His Word.” They truly have come from “Darkness TO LIGHT.” They reached out, above and beyond what they had suffered and shared a wealthy message of wisdom, inspiration, encouragement and hope to bring about healing. It is quite evident that God has equipped them to help others overcome barriers, to unite and reach out to build peaceful communities for the future. Not only in Rwanda but throughout the world! “Blessed are those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” Matthew 5 The POWER of GOD was evident beyond words! I can go on ….. ""But instead I will say; PRAISE GOD! PRAISE GOD! FOREVER & EVER "TO GOD BE THE GLORY!"