Reconciliation is My Lifestyle: A Life’s Lesson on Forgiving and Loving Those Who Have Hated You

by Antoine Rutayisire, Rick Warren (Foreword)

For decades, ethnic groups in Rwanda were pitted against each other, until the deepening hate burst into the horror of Genocide in 1994. One of the key leaders of the Reconciliation movement after the Genocide, Antoine Rutayisire pulls back the veil to reveal what is necessary for true ethnic and racial reconciliation. Recounting how God shaped his own life through pain, he teaches how even the most broken person can help a nation heal.

124 pages, Paperback

Published July 10, 2021

Reviews

[Keira Konson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“i cry with you, children, who have lost the blessedness of innocence, you who can no longer afford the luxury of playing with the butterflies and watching the ants hatch from their eggs; you who have been forced to be prematurely responsible. i find myself echoing Alan Paton’s grief for his South Africa: “cry, my beloved country,” and help us, world, to weep for those babies who have been robbed of their breast milk and whose eyes have lost the soft looks of innocence…”

a deeply moving and heartbreaking personal account of being a part of the targeted ethnic group during the genocide in Rwanda. remarkably hopeful and made me think a lot about the cost of ultimate reconciliation in the cross through which Antoine could bring reconciliation to his beloved country

[Gisèle Umutoniwase · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great, easy to read and instructive book.
From the first 10 pages ,I was drawn in by Antoine’s way of recounting the stories of his childhood. It is a great read If you want a fist hand account of living through post colonial Rwanda, the horrors of the genocide , and its aftermath. This book is different from other personal accounts from genocide survivors I’ve read in that it focuses on healing, reconciliation and service. I have to admit, I shed a tear or two towards the end of the book. Growing up in post-genocide Rwanda, not many people in my family shared with me their individual experiences, the pain they endured during and after the genocide or how they struggled to rebuild their lives. Reading this book -especially during the commemoration period- has given me a more informed and empathetic perspective about their experiences. Antoine’s story showed me that the genocide against Tutsi wasn’t just orchestrated by a specific group of people for a specific period of time before 1994, as we are often told. It was a result of a terribly destructive ideology rooted in resentment and hatred , sowed generations ago by colonial rulers.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Antoine Rutayisire grew up in Rwanda during the era of the "mini-genocides", where his father was murdered, and where his whole educational life and early career were shaped by racial prejudice, fear and hatred. He married, had a child, and then came 1994. He had a profound experience of Jesus on the cross and his story is incredible. If you read only one book about Rwanda, I would recommend it be this one.

[Jeff Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. This book is not a thorough story of events in Rwanda, but is a great retelling of the author's life experience and how God worked in him and through him. It's a personal story, and well worth your time.

[William Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boing comprehension

I’m struck with aw about how his life events breathe death, and where ment for evil but were used and turned into good as his live was intended.

[Susanne Dietze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Powerful account of God's grace in the midst of tremendous evil.

[Timothy Köstenberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The humility shown by the author in seeking reconciliation with some of the most heartless people in the world is inspiring to me in my Christian faith. What a wonderful message of forgiveness!

[Tyson Presnell]

Fantastic book

So much to learn from his story for many of our cultures. Grateful for this testimony and encouragement that nothing is too big for the cross.

[Taryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must to read for every wounded Person!

[John Sylvester]

we need a longer version of the book. The story feels like a lot was left out. it ends by the time you adjust to such a profound revelation.