Ishimwe Niryawe Yesu (Praise & Glory Be To You Jesus)

This song was sung many days when we were in Rwanda.  It was created after the Genocide. The words in Kinyarwandan and English are powerful.  Be blessed and enjoy!

Mwami Mana yacu
Waratuvinze, uturinda
Umujinya wa Satani
Uturindira muriyisi ishaje
Uraturinda ntitwapfa
Nubwo twahuye nibigeragaezo
Ninzitanye zibibazo
Byomiwisi
Wagaragaje ukunkesha kwawe
Uraturinda ntitwapfa, Uraturinda ntitwapfa

Our Lord God
You kept us and protected us
from the wrath of the devil
you kept us in this aging world
Lord you kept us and we did not die
Though we met many trials and tribulations
and many world troubles
You showed your victory by protecting us from death, You showed your victory by protecting us from death

CHORUS:
Ishimwe niryawe, Ishimwe niryawe, Ishimwe niryawe

Praise and glory be to you Jesus, Praise and glory be to you Jesus, Praise and glory be to you Jesus,

Mwami tukweretse ababkozi bawe
Tukweretse itorero wironkeye
Tukweretse nabasubiye inyuma
Garura izo ntama zawe
Mukiza dufite agahinda kenshi
Ku bwabayoba bava mu byizerwa
Muriyi minsi kora ibitangaza
Bamenye ku dahinduka, Bamenye ku dahinduka

Lord we show you - you're servants
We show you the charge that you redeemed
But also we show you those who have fallen/retreated
Lord return your ship
Savior we are so heart broken
For those that are leaving the faith
How we pray, that in thesedays you will perform miracles, so that the world may see that you are the God that never changes, you are the God that never changes

CHORUS

Indura zunvikaye mururu Rwanda
Amarira nokuboroga kwinshi
Ntakiza twakoze Mukiza Wacu
Kyaturmye uturinda akaga
Benshi waraba cyuye baratashye
Bararuhutse baranezerewe
Nta kabuza tuzabonana nabo
Mu birori byomwijuru, Mu birori byomwijuru


Many crys and yellings were hear in this Rwanda
A lot of tears and desperate pleading
There is nothing good we did, Our Savior
to deserve being protected from this horror
But we know, that you have taken many to Glory
They are rested and happy
And there is no doubt, that we shall see them someday
During the celebration in heaven, during the celebration in heaven

CHORUS

Imyaka ishyise ya saha wajenye
Ubwo tuzakubona uri mu bicu
Uzahamagara amazina yacu
Tuzagusanganira ubwo
Niwerckanwa ko tuzasa nawe
Uri kumwe nabo twatandukanye
Tuziruhutsa tugeze mwijuru
Halleluia iteka ryose, Halleluia iteka ryose

When the years come
At the very moment that you planned
When we see you in the skies, you will call our names
We shall come and meet you in the air
And when you are revealed, we know we shall be like you
At that time you will be with those that left us to be with you
When at last we get heaven born
And we will sing Halleluia, forever and ever
we will sing Halleluia, forever and ever

CHORUS

2004 Journal Excerpts: January 11th - DAY 2

An early rise this morning, we get started preparing to leave Kigali and drive to Rhungheri. We arrived at Shyra Diocese with Bishop John and attended the church service. We listened as the service and message focused on offerings.  Not only the words were powerful, but as the congregation who had very little were moved they came to the front of the church giving their offerings; an ear of corn, a piece of cloth, a few pennies, potatoes. A true picture of giving and a powerful message for me - seeing these poor people who have experienced so much tragedy and daily hardship, but they give their one ear of corn to God and listen to his calling.  Truly remarkable and amazing.

After the service, children's voices rang out continuously with "muzungo" (white people) and they flurried around to see, touch and take us,these new visitors, in. Surrounded by little ones wanting to touch my hand or take a photo with me - I melted when the children who came up just wanted to hug and feel the love of friendly arms.

We made our way to the Sonrise School and Youth Center nearby. It was there I experienced for the first time the powerful experience of Rwandan song and dance.  The youth danced and sang for us for almost an hour and the melody of their voices raised in joy and excitement was like electricity running through every inch of my body - and unable to control or manage my body's reaction I wept and wept; so overwhelmed by the beauty and purity of their voices and movements.  I kept wondering ... what in the heck is going on with me - I'm a wacky emotional mess, and I realized I just needed to go with it.

I met a girl Jeanette there who wanted to desperately speak with me.  I'm not sure why or for what, but she spoke French and I could not. So instead, she did not leave my side for the rest of the day and just held my hand and kept hugging me.  One of the pastors came up to me and said to me, "she is so happy you are here, she knows that God has sent you here to her." I don't really know what that means, but that seems to be the norm for everything so far.

It was a powerful day for everyone and God was definitely present working in everyone's hearts and experiences in unique ways. I had the privilege of spending some one on one time with one of our hosts and another one of the pastors, both who encouraged me to dig deep into my heart and listen intently for God's message to me.  They spoke to may things on my heart, that I never shared and seemed to have some direct connect to my thoughts and heart.  It was encouraging, confusing and overwhelming all at once.

2004 Journal Excerpts: January 10th - DAY 1

11:23 PM we arrived in Kiglai, tonight.  Exhausted, I have been delivered to this place where God has called me for the past two years. I am trying to soak in every moment and I'm not sure I even comprehend what is really happening just yet.  We drove along the dusty roads, through the hills and I gazed upon the lights of the city as they revealed the faces of people along the road and throughout the hills. From the front of the car, precious words startle me out of my gaze. "Emma, you are home now. Rwanda has been waiting for you, this is your heart's home," Nathan said. Truth, spoken plainly.

I have been called here, to this place, not only for this time - but for much more I feel. I am literally awash with love, emotion, tears - completely overwhelmed at every moment and I don't know why. I pray that I will be open, broken, compassionate, understanding and I will know why I am here in this place.

2004 My First Trip to Rwanda - Journal Excerpt

One of my most memorable experiences was on the last day of our trip, Friday, as we left.

Once again, early in the morning we boarded the bus to head to one of our final stops in Kigali.  We headed outside of the city towards a church where 10,000 people were slaughtered in only 2 days.  The church has been made into a Genocide Memorial and had an effect on me that I will never forget.  Aphrodice, a WorldVision staff member, accompanied us on the site visit – and shared the story of this particular genocide occurrence with us.  As we entered the church the caretaker began to tell us the story.  People from the outlining areas and villages fled to this area for safety – in particular the church.  For 2 days they hid in this tiny church and the priests home next door hoping to avoid the atrocity that would soon befall them.  After 2 days the military and militia came to the church and barricaded them inside, then murdered them with grenades, gunfire and machetes.  In these 2 days 10,000 people were mercilessly tortured and murdered – and their bones, skulls and even still clothing now lie to rest inside this church.  Additionally, over time another 10,000 bodies were found and collected from the countryside and now rest in the catacombs of this tiny little church.  Below in the basements cases and holding rooms had been created to hold the remains of these poor souls.  While in a room on our left, upon entering the church, laid a pile of bones, skills and clothing from 250 people.

As we walked around the church, the grounds and listened to the stories of what these people endured – I couldn’t help but be in total disbelief.  How could this happen – and moreover I lifted my eyes to God and asked – how could you let this happen, here, to these people, in your house.  The knowledge that God was not to blame for this rang in my head and heart, but I was overcome with complete and utter emotion.  I stood outside and peered through the metal gates into the sanctuary where the sun shone through a stained glass window onto the blood soaked fabric that still lay upon the alter.  How fragile and out of control we can become as humans.  As I walked back to the bus I had a difficult time gaining composure – and unfathomably, Aphrodice reached out his hand to my shoulder to comfort me.  All I could think is that I should be comforting him – as he feels the pain of this everyday and even brought us here to tell the story.  That moment as poignant for me – summing up so much of how I felt throughout the trip.  That these wonderful, amazing, spirit-filled and faithful people reached out to me everyday that I was there.  After all their pain, the freshness of their memories and the torment of their life experience – God has literally touched me with each reach of their hands, each smile and every ounce of compassion and acceptance that they have offered up to me.  How amazing.  Truly amazing – Our God can, does, has and continues to OVERCOME.  He is victorious – and we could never survive without Him.