Healing and Forgiveness

Do you struggle to forgive someone in your life? Is there someone who has so grievously offended or hurt you that you struggle with forgiving that person even though you know Chris commands us to forgive everyone just as He forgive us? Or perhaps you wonder how someone else is able to forgive a horrific action. If this describes you, From Red Earth: A Rwandan Story of Healing and Forgiveness by Denise Uwimana belongs on your reading list.

Many of us are heard on the news and have some familiarity with the horrific genocide in Rwanda between the Tutsi and Hutu. Denise Uwimana is a survivor of this evil. From Red Earth is her story. Uwimana shares background information of how the division between Tutsi and Hutu began as well as her life growing up in Africa. Her early years were filled with work and school and then later marriage. Throughout this time, faith in Christ was a cornerstone of her life. However, her world as she knew it came to a screeching halt on April 7, 1994. From Red Earth tells the story of her survival during the genocide and the story of many others. As this genocide was so horrific, reading these accounts will leave you in shock and are not for the squeamish.

After the genocide, Uwimana and her three sons, including a newborn, must continue living even in the midst of tragedy. As you may suspect life is hard but she clings to her faith. Uwimana seeks refuge and direction time and time again in prayer and finds strength to forgive those who committed these atrocities. As she makes her way through difficult circumstances, She is often seen as a "light" by others whom she encourages. From Red Earth tells the story of her journey to forgive and how she encourages many others to forgive and to heal their country. From Red Earth is highly recommended both as a first hand account of this tragedy and a testament to the healing power of Christ.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received From Red Earth from Plough via NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.