|
8th November 2009 |
||
|
Pray for Rwanda
It is in Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo. A very small country with a population of 10 million people. Approx 380 people over sq km. Fertile agricultural land with few natural resources. Main sources of foreign exchange are coffee, tea and aid. Over-population and distance from the sea inhibit development. A Hutu revolt overthrew the Tutsi government in 1959 with many Tutsi killed or driven into exile. A Tutsi invasion from Uganda in 1990 led to conflict, many deaths and the displacement of thousands of people. Hutu extremists seized power in 1994 and put into action the planned genocide of the Tutsi minority and Hutu moderates. In 100 days 800,000 perished. AIDS has become another nightmare for this beautiful, but tragic land. In 2000 there were at least 400,000 infected (11% of the population) and 270,000 orphaned due to AIDS.
|
 |
|
 |
Majority of people are Catholic, with 80% Christian and 10% Muslim. Rwanda desperately needs peace and an end to centuries of inter-ethnic hatred. Pray that the transitional government, the churches and international bodies may succeed in achieving this. Many Christians suffered much. Thousands of spiritual leaders were murdered. Many leaders despair of being able to cope with the desperate physical, social, psychological and spiritual damage done. Pray for all involved in reconciliation, counseling, discipling and training ministries. Bible schools and seminaries are seeking to regain lost ground in providing leaders for the future. There is a dearth of good Bible study aids. Pray that God may raise up men and women of God fitted for Rwanda’s hour of need. Pray also for protection for church leaders from extremists who still want to promote tribalism and fuel ethnic hatreds. | |