Preaching to the Killers, Part 2

During the approximately 100-day genocide approximately 1 million people were killed, including my entire family.

The story thus far: Phodidas had been captured by the killers, who forced him to dig his own grave. While he was digging, one of the killers became interested in Phodidas’ Bible and began asking questions. Once the grave was dug, the group decided to use it for someone else. Before forcing Phodidas to dig a second grave, they allowed him to speak to them.

First, I thanked them. “Thank you for praying for somebody that you have killed. However, you need to understand what the Bible says about death—the only chance you have to be saved is during your lifetime—not after you are dead. ‘For the living know that they will die,’ I quoted from Eccl. 9:5, ‘but the dead know nothing.’ I’m not going to plead for you to let me go, I continued, because I know that even if you kill me a time is coming when I will be resurrected.

“Among the people you are killing are another tribe—they are not Hutu or Tutsis. They are God’s children. You think that you’re fighting a tribal war, but you’re mistaken. This is a war between Christ and Satan. You think that the people you’re killing are Tutsis, but they belong to a totally different tribe because they have given their hearts to Jesus and they are His children.”

Then I read 1 Peter 2:9-10 to them: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”

As I preached, I could see some of the killers were crying, and I knew that the Holy Spirit was working on their hearts. After preaching for 15 to 20 minutes I told the group, “Now I’m going to say a final prayer, and after that I will dig another grave.”

As soon as I finished praying, someone shouted, “If anyone kills this person, his blood be upon them!”

“No, we can’t kill him!” the others said. “Let him go! We can’t kill him.”

Then the leader spoke up. “I was the one who suggested that we kill this man in a very bad way. But now, we’re not going to kill him.”

I knew it was only by God’s grace that my life was spared. Who am I? I didn’t have any power. God was just kind.

A Pledge

During the approximately 100-day genocide from April 7 to mid-July, 1994, approximately 1 million people were killed, including my entire family. But even though I came face to face with death numerous times, the Lord always saw fit to spare my life.

During the genocide I made a pledge to God—that if I survived, I would return to my home village and preach to those who had killed my family. Following the genocide, I was assigned to serve in one of the biggest churches in Kigali. I was very busy, organizing 42 evangelistic campaigns throughout the city. However, I knew it was important to keep my promise to God and return to my home village, even though it was with some reluctance. God said, “Go!” so I went back to my village and preached. Praise God, 120 people were baptized.

Life Without Bitterness

Some may ask, “After what you’ve been through, how can you live without bitterness?” God is really good. There were so many people who just lost themselves—living without any relatives—no nephews, nieces, cousins, no one. But it’s interesting what God does for those who love Him. I became very interested in knowing how to get in touch with my Lord. It’s good to read the word of God because it helps you when the bad moments come. You know how to pray and you know that He listens. I forgot about myself and I didn’t remember my problems any more. I learned that God looks after you, and you can be a solution for other people, rather than the problem.

Beyond the Genocide

In 2000, Phodidas went to the Philippines to study at the Adventist International Institute of Advanced Studies (AIIAS), where he earned his Ph.D. in 2006. His dissertation dealt with possible causes of Christians becoming involved in genocide.

Today, Dr. Phodidas Ndamyumugabe is a professor at the Adventist University of Central Africa (AUCA) in Kigali where he teaches Philosophy of Science and Religion, Bible doctrines, Greek, New Testament Exegesis, and applied theology.

A portion of this quarter’s Thirteenth Sabbath Offering will be going to AUCA where a new school of medicine will be established. The offering will help to build dormitories and a cafeteria

“Health ministry is very important,” says Dr. Phodidas. “Our students will learn how to minister to patients. Besides providing medical care, they’ll know that they are representing God in the patient’s room and they can pray with the patient. They may teach the patient about Jesus and what they need to know to be able to inherit eternal life.”

For more of the experiences of Phodidas during the genocide, read his book, Rwanda: Beyond Wildest Imagination, by Phodidas Ndamyumugabe.