Hiding During Rwandan Genocide
In April 1994, Immaculée Ilibagiza, a devout Catholic, found herself in a nightmare during the Rwandan genocide. As violence erupted, her family sent her to hide with Pastor Simeon Murinzi, a Hutu who risked his own life to protect her. For 91 harrowing days, Immaculée and seven other women hid in a cramped 3x4 foot bathroom, grappling with fear and despair. Her family, including her parents and two brothers, were brutally murdered.
Prayer During Persecution Testimony
During those dark days, Immaculée turned to prayer, reciting the Rosary 27 times daily and reading the Bible. She struggled with the command to forgive in the Lord's Prayer but gradually found the strength to forgive those who had trespassed against her. She later reflected, "Mine is a message of love. You can hate, or you can love. Life is your gift, and it is up to you how you choose to use it."
God Helped Me Forgive
Immaculée's journey of forgiveness was transformative. She emerged not only as a survivor but as a beacon of hope and healing for others. Her story, detailed in her book "Left to Tell," emphasizes that forgiveness is a path to healing, a lesson she passionately shares with others. "The love of a single heart can make a world of difference. I believe that we can heal Rwanda—and our world—by healing one heart at a time," she said.
Ministry of Healing and Hope
Immaculée has dedicated her life to helping others forgive and heal, especially victims of genocide. Her testimony is a powerful reminder that even in the face of unimaginable loss, Jesus provides a way to peace and reconciliation.