Les Enfants de Dieu (Rwanda Pt. 2)

Today I want to introduce to you an organization that is truly transforming lives and changing the world one child at a time: Les Enfants de Dieu (The Children of God).  In my recent journey to Rwanda I had the pleasure of visiting this residential care center that presently looks after over 120 street boys from ages 5-18. 

One of my new heroes: Rafiki Callixte and Me

The leader of this school is a man named Rafiki Callixte who is one of the most honorable and forgiving men that I have ever met.  He barely survived the genocide 17 years ago and lost most of his family.  I say barely because Rafiki literally had to dig his own grave and was left to die alone in his own home.  What makes his story amazing is that after he was rescued and brought to testify at the trials, he stared his perpetrator in the eyes, with the power to have him executed, and chose to forgive him!  To have his perpetrator executed would simply continue the killings, whether it be justified or not.  Rafiki wanted peace.

This brings up an interesting point of why I along with Rafiki believe that forgiveness is the way to peace and not the 'eye for an eye' mentality.  I have struggled with this because sometimes wrongdoers need to be held accountable for their actions, right?  Jesus makes a pretty clear statement on this subject:


"You have heard it that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.'  But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil.  But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also"  (Matthew 5: 29-30).  Where is the justice in that?  Jesus continues to go even further and say, "And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well" (Matthew 5: 40).  This sounds like the opposite of justice... lets reward those who steal from us?

Now think about the big picture.  World Peace... everybody wants it, but we are not getting any closer to it.  If you follow the complete justice route, then killings cannot stop because every death will be punished with another death, and the hatred and enmity between people groups will never end.  If you follow the forgiveness route then we have a better chance because each killing would not multiply into more killings, but would the offenders stop killing without punishment?  Where is the rehabilitation?  Now think about the 3rd route, Jesus's route: forgiveness plus grace.  (Grace is giving people what they don't deserve.)  Might this option give us an even better chance at reconciliation and rehabilitation?  On a personal level, I believe that if an offender is forgiven and then treated with grace in addition, there is a much better chance of that offender being affected in a positive way and being compelled to change his ways and begin to multiply the idea of forgiveness rather than multiply the idea of revenge and enmity.  I want you to consider this idea, test it out, and see what happens.  Don't just forgive, but administer grace as well.  If it works on a micro level, will it work on the macro level?

As I digress, let me introduce to you the children of Les Enfants de Dieu.  They are all children who have either been thrown onto the streets or have chosen a life of freedom on the streets away from their families.  Some children never want to leave the streets because of this freedom and the lifestyle of crime and drugs.  Rafiki had compassion on these street kids and offers them an opportunity for a better life.  What is interesting is that students here have been invited yet they must make their own conscious decision to come an follow the rules on their own accord.  They show their commitment by making their own journey to the school which is a journey from the city.  This journey is seen as a sign of commitment to the program.  None of the children are forced to come and none of the children are forced to stay as well.  The gate is always open.  The only rule is that if you leave, you leave, and Rafiki pushes hard for the kids not to leave, letting them know their decision to leave will be final.

This school is an amazing example of this idea of grace and forgiveness being shown to the future of Rwanda.  I believe what Rafiki is doing is one of the noblest jobs a man can take on and he is doing a fantastic job.  Just look into little Kevin's (the child to the left) eyes and see the joy and hope of an orphan who no longer has to live on the streets simply due to the fact that someone cares enough to dedicate his life to helping these children.

Below you will find a performance by the children at the school.  They performed this dance to welcome our group and show us their appreciation for our help.  If you would like to help Rafiki and this school, I have attached a link below where you can find out more details about how YOU can help.

Website: www.enfantsdedieu.org

Donation Page: http://www.enfantsdedieu.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=16


I will soon be traveling to Costa Rica for an internship with Engineering Ministries International, so stay tuned for updates.

Kevin

A Winner's Journey
www.awinnersjourney.com