Saturday, August 11, 2012

Sheltering with Humura

We want to create hope for the person ... we must give hope, always hope.                                                                                           ~Mother Theresa


Those of you on my Facebook page know I have been reading a book about the 1994 genocide of the Tutsis in Rwanda, Africa.  It was a free book for the Kindle but as soon as I began reading it, I knew it was a powerful story--one that would impact my life.

Eric Irivuzumugabe was 16-years-old when the Hutus began the genocide that would last one hundred days and leave over a million people dead. Eric survived by living in a Cyprus tree for fifteen days. 

My Father, Maker of the Trees is not just a book about surviving the devastation, but it is the story of a relentless loving God searching Eric out and leading him through forgiveness.  When you read of the atrocities done to Eric's family and others you will be amazed at how God used him to bring forgiveness, reconciliation and healing in the hearts of his people.  



Eric shared, 
The word "humura" is what a Rwandan might whisper in someone's ear who is deeply troubled and without hope.  When someone says, "Humura, my dear friend," he is offering to share in the burden and comfort a broken heart.  It is what Rwandans say when someone has a deep trouble and shares it with you and they are in tears and depressed and then you whisper, "Humura."
We have not gone through such devastation.  Our troubles may seem small in the face of this hatred.  Yet still, we can encourage and offer hope to those whom the Lord placed among us.  Maybe they lost a loved one, lost their job, have a prodigal child or are dealing with a physical issue.  These people need to hear "Humura" whispered in their ear.  

To the ill -- Humara
      To the weary -- Humura
           To the grieving -- Humura
                To the discouraged -- Humura
                     To the abandoned -- Humura 
                           To the broken-hearted -- Humura

At different times in my life, God has sent friends who have whispered Humura in my ear. And in their whispers, I find strength, peace and the desire to forgive.  

Humura, dear friend.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.



37 comments:

joy said...

Inspirational Pamela. Comfort others like God comforted us:)

Jennifer Richardson said...

this is so deeply beautiful.
touched and grateful.
glad thanks, friend.
humera,
Jennifer

enthusiastically, dawn said...

SO beautiful. Thank you for sharing this hope. You are beautiful.

Just Be Real said...

Pam thank you for sharing. Blessings.

Lisa Lewis Koster said...

Humura - what a lovely word. I love that you tied it to Romans 15:13.

Susy said...

This is a beautiful example of God's relentless Love.

Your blog is full of peace Pamela.
Thanks for the visit and your encouraging words. xo

Denise said...

Very beautiful, bless you.

Renee said...

This is so very beautiful. It touched me deeply~ will need to look for this book.
Renee over at Renee's Reflections and Adventures in Faithful Living

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Such an incredible post! In the USA most of us have no idea of suffering. Oh, we may have "trials and tribulations" but true suffering? Not really. Even though Dave died last November, my heart broke but he made his peace with God only days before he died. We'll see each other again although there's no "marrying or burying" in heaven...we'll serve Jesus with all our other loved ones gone before.

Nikki (Sarah) said...

life sometimes is so unfair...some people hurt too much but I like what you wrote Pamela...whispering hope....speaking hope...saying humura to those near and far. I really like that.

Unknown said...

A truly beautiful post, one I hope everybody takes to heart. We take so much for granted, have no true sense of what real suffering is. I will not soon forget this entry.
God bless you.

HeARTworks said...

Oh I was too late to get the My Father book for free on kindle. The book I am reading about Hezekiah was also free. I find out about the offerings on vesselproject.com. We are so blessed that we are not in a war or have ruthless leaders, but out of such harrowing experiences great faith is born. It either breaks you or makes you strong! With God all things are possible! And there is always a need for comforting others and helping them. Patsy from
HeARTworks and
papemelroti

Anonymous said...

Such a lovely post, Pamela and one of my favorite hymns. Enjoy this beautiful day.

Patty said...

Lovely post! Thank you for the inspiration.

From the Heart said...

Thanks for visiting my Music on Monday. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

You have a great post and the song, Whispering Hope, is absolutely beautiful. I will have to add it to my YouTube Channel

God be with you.

Connie Arnold said...

Thank you for sharing the beautiful post, Pamela, and I love the music!

Anonymous said...

Pamela,
Hope. What a wonderful post.

Ruth said...

Awesome! The song was so inspiring. I love the old hymns. They have withstood the test of time without the speed of internet and modern ways to be promoted. Thanks so much for your encouragement today.

Cathy said...

Such a beautiful, inspiring post, Dear ~ And that video was gorgeous.

sharon said...

Wonderful post Pamela, my cousin adopted a young orphan from Rwanda about 20 years ago and she and my cousin went back last year to find her family - they did! There was wonderful healing for everyone too. Hayley Westenra is NZ most loved export. She is a lovely girl from a lovely family.

By the way, thank you for your comments on my post, I know that your grandchildren are loving you like I loved mine. I can see it by what you write. Blessings

Adrienne said...

Beautiful post! That sounds like a powerful read. I will have to download that!

Unknown said...

Beautiful, powerful post, thank you for visiting me, so that I am know following your blog and pinterest, and facebook. Your words have spoken to my heart, as I imagine they have spoken to many hearts. Thaks for posting such wonderful words.

Kelli Woodford said...

"humura" is so poetically close to "human", isn't it? that's the heart of helping someone shoulder a burden, i think.
to acknowledge our humanity alongside them.

and to offer hope of Someone greater.

beautiful post, Pamela

Laurie Collett said...

Beautiful, inspiring post, Pamela! may we always be there to bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
God bless,
Laurie

Unknown said...

What a beautiful post! I have a new home, hope you will follow me over there! Blessings to you!

Glenys Nellist said...

Pamela..what a beautiful post! I have never heard of Humura & I love it. And I also love Romans 15:13..it is my favorite verse.

betty-NZ said...

Hope is a powerful thing, especially if it's all you have.

LOLITA said...

Thank you, dear Pamela.

Whispering back to you, "humura".

Thanks for its meaning and letting us know of the book. I have heard of the brutality in Rwanda. This should be a compelling read. One where we could glean from a survivor and his journey toward forgiveness.

I love the song Whispering Hope....it is so apt of Humura.... so sheltering and giving hope.

Anonymous said...

This is just beautiful...I am taking that word with me...in my heart...in my actions...thanks for this~

Anonymous said...

Very cool- thanks for sharing this with me today and I'm thankful I found you on SDG linkup!

Anonymous said...

Hi there Pamela!
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving such a nice comment, I appreciate it!


Ciao Bella
Sensible Sarah

Unknown said...

Love your writing, always. This is especially meaningful today for my family and for this world. Your words are an inspiration, thank you for sharing this man's story.

BelovedBomber said...

I loved reading this! What an encouraging post! What a powerful word!

retha said...

Thank you for the visit. I will go search who Don Knotts is.

You have a beautiful way with words.

Gina said...

Love it.... Thanks for the vist! Enjoyed having you stop by with your sweet words....

elizabeth said...

What a lovely, lovely post! I will have to find that book. Thanks so much for your kind comment on my photo and verse.

Esther Asbury said...

I want to share that hope with the hurting people in my world -- "Oh to be His hands extended...."