Faith Amidst Genocide

Since I first understood that faith-sharing is central to the mission of the Body of Christ, I have been fascinated by the rapid growth in commitment to Jesus throughout many regions Africa. This week I heard the story of an African woman which may serve as a clue to the strength of the Jesus movement in that part of the globe.

Iphigenia Mukantabana lives in Rwanda, about an hour away from that nation's capital. Iphigenia is a master basket-weaver. In fact, she and many others make items called "peace baskets," which are sold in some Macy's stores here in the United States. Iphigenia is a survivor of the 1994 genocidal holocaust that swept through Rwanda in that year. As bitter ethnic divisions erupted into widespread violence and death, Iphigenia was forced to watch the murder of her husband and five of her children. Where many in Iphigenia's position would chose to descend into total despair and/or bitter hatred and vengeance, Iphigenia has chosen a different direction. She takes very seriously Jesus' admonition to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In the midst of her grief and despair, she has aligned with other Jesus-followers in a determination to take a road of forgiveness, justice, restoration, healing, and renewal. She is a vibrant follower of the risen Christ, who has come through the bowels of hell, clinging resolutely to a Savior who has overcome the world.

As I look at my own Christianity, and at faith expressions among we who are the more privileged folks in the Western world, I realize that Iphigenia's discipleship goes way beyond Christian slogans on T-shirts and bumper stickers, toting a study Bible back and forth to worship, or forwarding e-mails saying, "If you really believe in Jesus, you'll forward this to all your Christian friends." Iphigenia has faced the powers and principalities in way that most people I know have not yet had to do so, thankfully. That's a level of faith that has strong credibility. Maybe it's just an isolated story. Knowing what's going on throughout Africa in warfare, poverty, and the AIDS crisis, I doubt it.

What do you think? I'll see you around the next bend in the river.

(P.S. For those who a part of the same congregation in which I've involved, I'll tell Iphigenia's story in detail in worship this weekend.)