Could you forgive someone who killed a family member of yours, raped your wife, kidnapped your child and turned him into a rebel soldier? Be hard wouldn’t it? But many people are faced with that dilemma.
The picture above comes from a church in an IDP camp outside Goma, DR Congo. These people have fled from the rebel soldiers. They have been abused and mistreated by them. Now, they are asked to forgive them as some of these rebels come to faith in Christ.
God is saving some of these rebels. I have posted some of their stories of grace in this blog. Now, I have received more stories; they touched my heart. I pray they will yours as well. God’s grace is truly amazing. But, could you forgive them?
Caporal Zigashani Etienne:
I was born in a pagan family in Walikale area and I grew up without spiritual education. My father was a hunter and I helped him as a teenager. He joined the rebel group MaiMai. So, I was also enrolled in that group of rebels.
They used to cut us and put medicine paste on our body saying that when fighting we wouldn’t die, but during the fighting many of us were dying. Our leaders said they died because they had offended the ancestors. This made us continue with the rebel group up to the day rebels join the government army.
The medicine paste, I think, was the cause of my mind to change. From that time, I started being a bad man to people, as many rebels were living by pillage and stealing valued things in rich people homes.
The gospel you shared with me touched me and my heart. I need you to pray for me that God may forgive me, and I receive today Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior. I am going to change.
Lt. Ishara Mulesa:
I was born in a Christian family. I joined CNDP rebel movement when I saw many of my colleagues join that group.
Many of my colleagues told me that rebellious is not a church so I have to change my mind and be as they tell me. They taught me how to arrest people, make intimidation, steal and pillage people, force a wife to have sexual contact with me, ect. I thought that was that kind of life necessary to confirm the behavior of a serious rebel.
One day I intimidated a person who after giving me all he had told me, “God bless you.” I was shocked but didn’t respond.
When I joined the government army through cease fire agreement, I met soldiers having a moment of pray. They told us to repent of our sins. Now through the gospel you shared with me, I find this the opportunity for me to repent of my sins, believe and accept Jesus Christ to be my Lord and Savior.
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These stories are amazing!