John Rucyahana - The Bishop of Rwanda: Finding Forgiveness Amidst a Pile of Bones

I WAS BORN IN R WANDA IN 1945 AND BECAME A REFUGEE IN 1959 because of the first stage of the Rwandan genocide. I lived with the humiliation of statelessness and its ongoing repercussions. I am deeply in awe of the grace and kindness of God for having protected me from the time I was a youth, and as He has called me to engage and challenge some of the most difficult times in African history.

I thank God that in 1966 Jesus met me and restored my shattered hope and transformed my life for His purpose. Part of this purpose I am sharing in this bookHis love, His hope, and His restoration of Rwanda.

I am so thankful for my dear wife Harriet. She has brought me great comfort and encouragement. We have lived through much together, and Harriet has encouraged me to write about all the ways we have seen God at work in our lives. Her support of me in the ministry has been, and still is, inexhaustible. Credit also goes to our five children: Grace, Patrick, Hope, Joy, and Andrew for their support and understanding. I thank God for their faith.

I give glory to God for the gift of Jim Riordan in the writing of this book. Jim is an excellent writer and his faith in Christ and life experiences made him understand the importance of reconciliation in Rwanda. Jim has been bound to my heart through the writing of this book. I hope to work with him again in writing more about Rwandas history and plans for recovery.

My gratitude goes to Mr. and Mrs. Drayton Nabers. They continue to stand by me and support me with their honest love, counsel, prayer, and financial help. They have been used by God to bless my family. We owe them our love into eternity.

I recognize our dear Clarice McGinnis Tolbert who prays for us and makes connections for us. She fulfills the role of Philip in the Bible (John 12:20-22).

I am eternally grateful for the board members of the Mustard Seed Project for their support and love. We have shared many experiences in ministry and we have also shared our hearts.

I want to thank Rick Warren, my dear friend and brother in the Lord Jesus, for writing the foreword of this book. I pray that our efforts for reconciliation in Rwanda will bring about a healed nation.

I also want to thank Lee Hough, Beatrice Mukakalisa, and Christine Kankindi for their help. I thank those who shared their stories and all those who have chosen forgiveness and grace over hatred and revenge. My thanks also to the Prison Fellowship Rwanda staff, my diocesan staff, and all those who assist us in our efforts.

The good leadership and policies in Rwanda have made it possible for us to engage in the work of reconciliation. I acknowledge that what has been accomplished is just the beginning of this process. Please pray for Rwanda that we, by Gods grace, may persist in reconciliation, reuniting pieces scattered by the genocide. May our reconciliation teach and inspire others.

Amen.

The Rt. Rev. John Kabango Rucyahana
Shyira Diocese, Rwanda

I D LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING: MY DAUGHTER E LICIA, MY SON Chris, his wife Stacy, and my wife Deborah for their encouragement throughout the writing of this book; Lee Hough for bringing me into this project, and Bill Myers for suggesting me to Lee; Beatrice Mukakalisa, Joni Mohr and her husband Larry, as well as Jeff Hays for helping me assemble the information. Also, my pastors, Jeff Crosno and Bruce Paul, for helping me through the difficult process of telling Gods truth in todays world; Clark Erickson, Bev Chesterfield, Dennis Martin, Jr., Dennis and Debbie Baron, and Jeff Bass; Rich Benoit, Chris Havner, Bob Hilbrich, Murry Meents, Daryl Mest, Gary Moore, Brad OMalley, Chad Panozzo, Doug Rapier, Gregory Samuels-El, Dave Schnell, Dan Seabolt, Andy Wheeler, Kris Whited, Jon Williamson, and the Youell family for their encouragement.

James Riordan