Hope In April: A Month of Prayer for Rwanda + Our World
This month marks 28 years since the beginning of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi. In the nearly three decades that have passed, Rwanda has undergone a significant period of transformation and healing in many ways. As one could only imagine, however, the annual commemoration period, beginning this Thursday, April 7, still carries tremendous weight for the entire country. Whether it be through their direct experience or generational connection, the impact and trauma of the atrocities are still very real in the minds and hearts of Rwandans.
This includes the whole of our Handspun Hope family. For those close to our ministry, you know that we exist to serve and uplift the most vulnerable women in the northern Rwandan village where we work, all of whom have experienced some level of trauma in their lives.
For many of our women, this trauma is, in one form or another, connected to the genocide and related conflicts. The programs that the Lord is providing through Handspun Hope, including dignified work and counseling services, were created as a response to caring holistically and practically for our women as they process and heal.
Learn more about the commemoration period and our ministry’s response in recent blog post linked below.
To be clear, we believe our women are so much more than their trauma. Through Jesus, they are not defined by their pasts. It is just one part of their story — not the end. However, it is still a very real part, and April is an annual reminder to many of their collective suffering. As a family, we are committed to walking closely with our staff and beneficiaries as they once again embark on this heavy season of remembrance, healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.
And, as a member of our family, whether you are a donor, customer or prayer partner, we want to invite you into this season with us.
Hope in April: A Prayer Campaign
As we considered the best way to come alongside our Rwandan brothers and sisters in this season, in addition to our regular memorial counseling and reflection programs, we felt the Lord invite us to lean into one of His most foundational commandments: prayer.
Especially now, with ongoing conflicts like the war in Ukraine and many others that have not captured worldwide attention, we have been burdened with the reality that trauma and violence are still at work in the lives of real people — just like us. Our hearts break for our Rwandan community’s past, as well as those in other parts of the globe who are still in the throes of suffering.
While the tragedy around us is overwhelming, we believe strongly that we serve a big, powerful God. We believe that He hears us, cares for us, and is able to make all things new. So, we are dedicating this month to intercede for Rwanda, our women and all those around the world who are affected by war and conflict.
Hope in April: A Month of Prayer for Rwanda + Our World is our first memorial prayer campaign and part of our response to the brokenness in our world.
We'd love you to join us. If you’ve been wondering how you might be able to engage, this is the perfect time to pray, listen, and learn along with our Handspun Hope family.
What it Looks Like
Each week, we will focus on a particular prayer theme / need, as determined with the input of our Rwandan staff.
Week 1: Remembrance + Acknowledgement
Week 2: Healing + Peace
Week 3: Forgiveness + Reconciliation
Week 4: Hope + Provision
There will be three key touchpoints with which you can participate:
Monday Emails
On Mondays, we will send out a list of tailored prayer points related to each theme to anyone on our prayer email list. We will also feature a story of one of our brave women who as bravely volunteered to share her testimony of trauma, courage and hope. This week’s email will be sent tomorrow (4/5), so be on the lookout!
Individual Weekly Prayer
Pray through the prayer points and over the woman sharing her story in your personal quiet time throughout the week.
Friday Prayer Gathering via Zoom
Each Friday, we will gather on Zoom for a 30-minute prayer meeting with our Rwandan leadership team to reflect on scripture, pray together, and seek God’s heart for His people and our organization throughout the memorial month.
4 Ways to Participate
1. Join our prayer email distribution by clicking below. Our first list of prayer points will be emailed tomorrow, and only to this email list.
2. Lift up the emailed prayer points in your individual prayers / quiet time throughout the week.
3. Join our Friday, 30-minute group prayer gathering at 9 a.m. CST via Zoom.
4. Invite your community to join us. All are welcome to pray and / or listen in! There is strength in numbers.
Thank you for all you have done and continue to do to support the life-saving work that God is doing in northern Rwanda. We look forward to joining together and all the ways that we believe He will move this month as we remember, reflect, pray and Hope.
