Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust

Left To Tell; Discover God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust

I was a little hesitant to read this book because sometimes these stories can be horrible. But the story of this woman's faith and strength has touched my heart.

Immaculee was raised in an educated home without prejudice. Her parents were generous people, helping people of all races and religious beliefs that they came in contact with. Her father was active in seeking out peaceful solutions for Rwanda's political discord. As a youth she was not even aware of a difference in tribal people. The first time she had to stand for an ethnic roll call in her public school she had no idea what tribe she belonged to. As it turned out she was a Titsu.

While on Easter Break from her University in 1994 the exiled Titsu rebel army attacked the Hutu tribe in hopes of being able to return to Rwanda and their families. In retaliation the Hutu's formed a killing militia that was soon out of control killing every known titsu they could find. Immaculee lost all of her family members except one brother who was out of the country studying.

Imaculee sought refuge with a local Hutu minister. He hid her and 6 other woman in a small bathroom (3ft x 4ft) at the back of his house. He slid an armoire in front of the door to hide it. Many times the killers searched the home, accusing him of harboring Titsu's. These women were able to stay quiet and lived in this state for 91 days. The minister would bring them table scraps to share, this was their only food. Immaculee lost 40 lbs. while she was hidden. The women developed a sign language so they could communicate with each other. To relieve their cramping muscles they worked out a rotation system. I just cannot even fathom surviving such a physical ordeal, never mind the mental duress of being hidden, hunted, and worrying about loved ones.

In this book Immaculee acknowledges the horror and atrocities of the holocaust but does not dwell on them. Instead she writes a story of how she strengthened her relationship with God through faith and prayer. She learned to forgive her enemies and gained a profound understanding of mankind. She prayed to know why she had been spared. She was granted a vision to prepare her for her return to the civilized world. During the course of her "captivity" she borrowed all the English books the minister had and learned to speak and read English. She knew from her vision she would one day be working at the UN helping Rwanden victims, and she would be translating for them. She would pray for understanding as she read the words; it is so amazing to me that she could discipline herself to this extent while her world was falling apart.

I have been profoundly touched by this woman's story and example.

8 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

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Left To Tell

An amazing story! Being a vet of Iraq I can relate with her feelings toward God and her hate for the killers. She is an amazing woman, I love her. I am almost finish with Led By Faith her second book that I also highly recommend.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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Amazing Story

I could not stop reading. I was appalled by the disregard for human life, yet encouraged by the overwhelming faith Immaculee had for our God. Even more amazing was her ability to forgive those that committment such a haneous crime against her family, friends, and community. Thank you, Immaculee for sharing your story!

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

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Personal Account of a Courageous Woman

I was shocked at the horror and genocide. I was spiritually uplifted to see how God in His Goodness and Grace supported and comforted this woman through her most trying times. It touches your heart.

5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Life Changing-Definitely a "Keeper"

This is such a powerful and spiritual book that will not only hook you in, but it will bring you closer in faith to God. I literally started to sob when I read what horrible and gruesome things Immaculee had to undergo. Living in Hawaii doesn't help-we were so isolated from what was going on at the time as well as in many other areas. To know that people witnessed their entire family and children being slaughtered right in front of them secures a strong hatred in my heart. Learning to forgive is a major aspect from the story that all people should follow as an example- including myself. After reading this, I have realized the power of God's love and such mercy He bestows upon us. As the murderers were all around, there was nothing stopping them from killing each Hutu one by one. The Devil whispered in her ear, taunted, and questioned her faith. Immaculee went straight to God and asked for his protection. The fact that she lives today is a powerful reminder of His undying love and compassion. A marvelous book written by a Rwandan woman who has the Holy Spirit's light shining through her.

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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An inspiring and touching read!

This is an incredible story! Immaculee's profound encounter with God
and growth in faith took place amidst one of the most horrific events in modern history. The reader cannot help but be affected.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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Rwanda Personal Account

A great introduction on a personal level of the Rwanda atrocities. It is a well written, personal narrative with a sense of urgency. The story moves, compels, and inspires. I have given several copies as gifts, and I think the book would be great for high school readers and older. A must read!

4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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This story truly embodies the tragedy of the Rwandan genocide. W

This story truly embodies the tragedy of the Rwandan genocide. While I was reading, I couldn’t help but to think about how I would react in this situation (the genocide) and I came with the conclusion that I wouldn’t have been brave like Immaculee. After reading this book I couldn’t imagine what could have given Immaculee courage, the courage to risk her life for the people she loved and the courage to forgive the person who butchered her family. In the book she narrates how Jesus and God helped her through these dark times. Being an atheist, I couldn’t help but to question the meaning of God. However after reading this book I can’t think of one possible explanation of how she gathered the courage to do such things, especially telling the man, who ruined your life, who killed your family, that you forgive him. I know I could never do that. This book is a must read, I have always been a sheltered person; my parents never want me to be exposed to sadness. However this book isn’t just about the depressing tale of Immaculee, it’s also about hope. This book has a bittersweet ending; you know that she will never forget the horrors of the genocide however she learns to forgive and moves on with her life. I'm not saying that this book has converted me into being a Christian but this book gave me hope that maybe, somewhere, there is a something, god or not, watching over us.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Most moving, and yes, depressing book. however, it should not be missed!

This almost unbelievable story really touches on the sad state of the country of Rewanda. You think this kind of genocide would not be possible and yet as we look around us, the same thing is happening in other countries. How the people in this book survived and kept their sanity shows the religious and moral strength of these people.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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Great!

I had to read this book for class. It was really interesting.... uplifting to the believer because Gid Lways hears your prayers, and for the nonbelievers light to see the true and living God... He is so real!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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WOW.

This is great, dont hesitate to buy it. It is such a touching and amazing story. I have learned so much about forgiveness, I cant believe its only been like 200 pages!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Amazing Book

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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AMAZING

An amazing book great read made an impact in my life:)

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Seeing God in total darkness

It's hard to believe that a young woman in her early 20's could have such strong faith in God as Immaculee Ilibagiza did. Back in 1994, she was only 22 year-old college student and having come from a family filled with only love for each other, somehow she survived and managed to cope with all the evil of the genocide in Rwanda without any anger left in her heart. It is sobering to me that in other parts of the world such as in the United States where I was living, our two worlds were as different as white is to black. Our life here in the US consisted on doing menial tasks as planning our family vacation or what to cook for dinner, what shopping sale we need to get to that weekend, etc, when in Rwanda, people's lives were being chopped down by killers with machetes by their own countrymen, teachers and neighbors - all in the name of "ethnic cleansing". I could not help but to realize that similar evil is going on today in 2010 at other parts of the world where killing people by mass destruction is considered actually doing something "good" for their country as we sit here in the United States peacefully sipping coffee and having dinner parties, planning our Florida family vacations, etc.

In her book, Immaculee describes very vividly all the details of her time in the little tiny bathroom of the Pastor Murinzi's house who kept several Tutsi women in hiding for weeks and months. Immaculee could see God at work through people like Pastor Murinzi and many other people in her book who showed up at the right time and place just like the "angels" from God. Immaculee never wondered away from her faith in the living God who heard her prayers day and night and answered them according to his own will. It was obvious that she did not get all the "right" answers to her prayers such has her own parents and brothers being saved from the genocide but she knew that God was definitely at work in her life. Although she lost many of her loving family members through the genocide, her life was filled with thanksgivings to God. It seems to me that she truly understood that the final "will of God" and the destination for God's people is not here on earth but on the other side of life called Heaven. She seemed to have found peace knowing that she will seem them some day.

This is an amazing book to read. It's an eye opening book to see how she managed to deal with her hurts and anger toward the killers of her family members. It is a book that teaches us how to deal with anger and darkness in our own lives through faith in God and to let God deal with the burdens of our lives. I highly recommend people to read this book no matter where one might be in one's faith journey, it is one book that will change the way one thinks about life's fate and circumstances that it may not be just that but it is God who intervenes.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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A Beautiful Book

I believe that everyone can learn something of value from Immaculée Ilibagiza's book Left to Tell. It is the very personal story of how Ilibagiza survives the horrific Rwandan genocide in 1994. With her tale comes incredible insight into building a very real relationship with God. It is ultimately this relationship that saves her life.

What is it that makes Immaculée Ilibagiza's story so compelling? For one thing, the events that unfold before Immaculée are heart-stopping; I discovered a thorough understanding of the atrocities committed during the genocide of '94. These events were far from joyous (ignorance may be bliss), but it is far more important and enlightening to perceive the world for how it really is. It is arguable that keeping atrocities like this one in the Shadows of Unawareness makes it significantly easier for these events to repeat themselves; Left to Tell shines a light here that helps stop the darkness from spreading.

But while awareness may be the book's pearl of great price, its magnum opus is Ilibagiza's enlightening insight into forgiveness achieved through a sincere relationship with God. Reading this book is like witnessing a miracle; the reader watches Immaculée suffer again and again and then immediately put her trust in God to take away all of the pain. Never before has developing complete trust in God been laid out in such a sincere and raw real-life example.

I have recently finished this book, and I have no doubt that it has had a profound impact upon my life. Immaculée Ilibagiza believes that God has spared her life with the purpose of telling her story. She has dedicated her life to helping others forgive and learn to rely upon God to heal their own pains. Take a chance on this book. Immaculée Ilibagiza's story Left to Tell is one that has been blessed with real power.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Only in the darkest times can the light of the soul be seen.

Left to Tell is such a powerful book it is now one of my all time favorites. I think it is so unique because it has such horrible, real, tragic events yet it is very spiritual and uplifting. Immaculee is one of the most divine people I feel like I've ever meet. She is such a strong powerful women not only surviving physically but mentally and spiritually as well. It is quite graphic and doesn't sugar coat the genocide so if that's an issue you might not enjoy this very much.

Personally I think that it's great that she tells the horror in such detail the book is so dark that the small light in it is that much brighter. So I think the big contrast is affective. I just can't get over how amazing this woman is, her whole family was so great and kind completely innocent yet horrible events befell them and she still found it in her heart to forgive.

I always wondered how some one who experienced and had such horrible things done to them and their family could ever forgive but because of this book I understand now. This book is centered on forgiveness and it is one of the best examples of how to forgive that I have ever read. I want all of my friends and family to read this book it is just so amazing it really touched my heart and opened my eyes to things I couldn't see before.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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"Left to Tell" an Inspiration to All

Picture being separated from absolutely everything you hold dear: family, friends and all your prized possessions; you must leave all your things behind to be treated like an animal. You have absolutely no contact with the ones you love and you fear the worst. How do you deal with such loss when you yourself have nothing to hold onto? How do you forgive those who unjustly and hatefully took what was yours? According to Immaculee Ilibagiza in "Left to Tell," "anyone in the world can learn to forgive those who have injured them, however great or small that injury may be" (p. 209).

Set in the war ravaged country of Rwanda, Immaculee tells us her story of survival and determination during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. She is one of few survivors of an unspoken horror in Rwanda; holding onto the one thing no one could take from her: faith.

"Left to Tell" is a compelling account of endearing faith in oneself and in one's God to survive the most unimaginable horrors of war and hate and forgiving those who have wronged you. Immaculee's extraordinary ability to remain true to herself even during the most desperate of times is an inspiration to all who read it.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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An Awesome Book!

Left to Tell was such an inspiring book. Imaculee Ilibagiza's story about her life during the Rwandan Holocaust really opened my eyes to the realities of the world. It was both spiritually moving and mentally awakening as Imaculee informed the world about the vicious things that human beings can do to their fellow men.
Imaculee revealed her sad story in a straightforward way. She didn't try to sugarcoat what she saw or heard while living in the midst of a bloodthirsty people. Her frankness was what most left an impression in my mind. Never before had a book illustrated such a strong point in my mind as Left to Tell did. This book was one of the most influential books I have ever read. I finished the book feeling a little less naïve about the world. It made me thankful for the life I have been blessed to live and instilled in me a desire to become aware of what happens in other countries.
Left to Tell is really an awesome book. It takes the reader through an unimaginable experience. If you want to become more aware of the world you live in, this is an excellent read. This book was hard stop reading, and left me thinking about it long after I finished.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Inspire to Forgive

This is a book that appeals to all readers. Immaculee's writing style vividly portrays the violence of the Rwandan Genocide, without overwhelming her audience. This historic event is a tragedy in our world's history, and learning about it through her eyes is awakening. We experience the emotions behind the Genocide as we witness the pain of losing family and friends through violence. The most depressing aspect of the Genocide, which she portrayed excellently, is that the people who murdered her family and Tutsi friends, were Hutu neighbors and friends she grew up with. Her faith in God gives her strength in the most stressful situations. She prays continuously for protection and to recognize that all humans are children of God. By praying for this, she learns to forgive anyone inflicting pain or harm to any other. It is humbling to read how she forgives the crazed Interahamwe, while I have a hard time forgiving people of insignificant actions. I learned from her experience the power of our faith, and the power of God's love. The overall theme of forgiveness is an essential lesson that every individual should learn in his or her lifetime. So I highly encourage you, and your friends, to read this inspiring novel.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Hope for the Lost

This book encompasses every feeling from depression, anger, and fear to hope, love, and forgiveness to bring to light the tragedies of the Rwandan Genocide. Immaculee Illibagiza tells her inspiring story with beautiful words that bring the story to life for all who read it. It brought emotions and understanding for those who have suffered similar stories. The book helps one to understand that God does love all His children and it really discusses the idea of the famous line of the Lord's prayer, "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us" (Luke 11:2-4).

I cried multiple times throughout this book as the devastation spread across Rwanda. The pain described by the author left a impression on my mind for good the need to help situations such as these to never occur. I never thought about genocides before I read this book. I never thought that something so destructive could occur a mere 20 years ago. I came to personally love the author and her stories and her family as she suffered.

I would encourage all to read this book because almost everyone I have talked to has little knowledge of what occurred during the years of this book. It enlightened me and helped me want to help others know about it as well. It's an easy read but needs the maturity required to understand the mass murder of a race in ways you would never hope would happen.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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