audiobook Left To Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust by Immaculée Ilibagiza in History

Review

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. More than 5 stars!By Woodley LamousneryApril 7;1994 marked the beginning of the deadly Rwandan genocide. 4 months later; on July 15th was the day that signified the end of the tragic event. As the world's superpowers turned their backs; close to 1 million ethnic Tutsis; Twas; and sympathizing Hutus were slaughtered by Hutu government backed militia--the Interhamwe; who were brutally hacked by machetes while hiding in homes; churches; and in the forest."Left to Tell" is told by Immaculee llibagiza of her horrific experiences of the genocide and how faith became front and center throughout her plight. Immaculee; born a Tutsi; was raised in a small village; where both Tutsis and Hutus lived in harmony. Her parents were well known and respected in the community. No such ethnic differences ever existed to Immaculee. That was until April 7th when the president's plane was inexplicably shot down; igniting the fuel that would begin the killing of thousands of ethnic Tutsis.The core setting takes place in a small; tightly; confined bathroom in the home of a Hutu pastor. This bathroom is what would become a sanctuary for these women. Immaculee is sent to the pastor's home by her father; knowing that he would take her in. For 3 months; Immaculee and 6 other women were kept hidden inside the pastor's bathroom; sheltered from the atrocities surrounding them and surviving on meager scraps of left over food and a whole lot of prayer. It is prayer; faith; and forgiveness that are the themes of the book.The Interhamwes' search through the home created an intense environment for Immaculee and the other women. But; a hopeful and spiritual Immaculee; using the rosary given by her father; prayed fervently to the Lord in what ultimately gave her sanity; serenity; and strength. In the end; Immaculee was saved when she made it to safety at the French army base and eventually the RPF base in Kigali. Hearing the tragic news of her parents' death along with two brothers; left Immaculee devastated; she is indeed the only one "Left to Tell." Faith enabled Immaculee to forgive. With forgiveness; she moved on; started a family; and continues give public speeches about the tragic event; keeping alive the legacy of the Rwandan genocide.20 years have passed since the slaughtering occurred. Numerous books have since been published on genocide. Testimonies such as "Left to Tell" questions our moral obligations to humanity and world peace. The responsibility lies in each of us; strengths in numbers against genocide sends a strong message to political leaders. Leaders will act based on those pressures from the countless individuals; who are looking to put an end on atrocities. For example; an era in U.S history I can reference from is the Vietnam war. Regular; ordinary people stood as a united front together protesting to end the war. People from all over the country stood for a common cause. I believe the same method could be applied to issues like this. Genocide can be something that existed in the pass and that has no place in the present or future.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Forgiveness of slaughters of millions of innocent people including her entire family is possible by the grace of God.By Janet BedrosianImmaculee's story is one that the reader will never forget. It is very sadly true; the Rwandan Holocaust where 1 million Tutsi's were hacked to death; but Immaculee's faith never waivered. Hidden in a very tiny bathroom with 5 other women for 3 months; she lived in pure terror; but her relationship with God was extraordinary; and she was miraculously spared from slaughter; like her family was. It is a disturbing story; yet educational. The most profound message of her book was that she came to forgive all her killers. It is the reason that God spared her and had this great story that forgiveness is not only possible; but that God intended a mission for her to spread the Good News that forgiveness is possible.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. A delightful woman telling her gruesome storyBy JudyByJudyThis is one of those books that everyone should read. It is a hard story to read because of man's unbelievable inhumanity to man being displayed like the holocaust of Rwanda. This story reaches deep into the heart of the reader evoking feelings of horror; shame; and sorrow that leads to penance that friends and neighbors can turn on one another because of prejudice and commit horrible gruesome acts of murder and mayhem that happened in Rwanda. And we cringe in shame that we turned our backs on an innocent Christ loving people who were being hunted and killed by those who hated them for no other reason than that they were just a little different. A repeat of history of the Jewish Holocaust that is so well known. However; the story tells of a beautiful young woman's faith and courage that helped her to survive by hiding in a small bathroom with 7 other women for three months while her enemies called her name just outside her window; looking for her and threatening her very existence. The story tells of that beautiful young woman learning that her family had been murdered and the strength and fortitude it took for her to put her life back together after the killing stopped. It is a story of how she held on to the faith she learned as a child and put it into practice when all else failed her and by the grace of God; she survived and lived to tell her story. Immaculee Ilibagiza is a wonderful storyteller. I have heard her speak in person and she is a beautiful speaker as well. God has greatly blessed her with the grace of telling her story and the story of Rwanda before and after the holocaust. She is very inspirational and really shares her faith and love to those who read her books or hear her tell her story. If you want to grow in your faith and your love for other people who are 'different' from you; read this book. It is powerful and life changing! You might find out those other people aren't so 'different' after all. I know I did and I thank God that he put this book into my hands. I look forward to reading other books written by this delightful Christian woman.