"Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Holocaust"

A Rwandan holocaust survivor, she forgave the killers of her family. Immaculée Ilibagiza has written a book about her experience, “Left to Tell: Discovering God Amidst the Rwandan Genocide". It is a simply written book with a powerful message about God and prayer.

The call to mass murder came across the radio in the middle of the night: "Hutus: Rise up and kill your Tutsi neighbors".

In the spring, of 1994, at the start of what become known as the Rwandan genocide, Immaculée Ilibagiza was a 22-year-old college student, home for Easter. She and her family were Tutsi. At the urging of her parents, she fled to the home of a local Episcopal priest--a Hutu--and hid with seven other women in his 3’x 4’ bathroom for three months. When they emerged 91 days later, it was to discover that almost all their friends and relatives had been murdered, hacked to pieces by the machetes of their Hutu friends and neighbors. Ilibagiza lost her parents, grandparents, and three brothers.

But instead of letting rage, grief, and a desire for revenge take over her life, Ilibagiza reached inside herself and found only forgiveness. She describes how she spent much of her time in the bathroom praying--as the screams of the murdered seeped through the single window. Yet when reciting The Lord’s Prayer, she stopped dead at “forgive those who trespass against us.” “So I am praying to God to help me out, to save me, but yet I have got anger", she has said. "There was an obstacle in my heart.”

She asked God to help her overcome that obstacle and forgive. It was, she said, a moment of complete surrender. “I gave everything to God,” she said. “Later when I saw Jesus on the cross, when He said, ‘Forgive them, Father, for they don't know what they do,’ I understood what exactly he meant and what I needed to do.” From that moment, she was able to pray for her enemies, “for this evil to come out of them,” she said. “So then that gives me a way out of my unforgiveness, of my hatred. And I felt so good.”

It is ironic that popular New Age spiritual guru, Dr. Wayne Dyer, who wrote the introduction to this powerful book, completely misses it's message about God and prayer. Dyer is a staunch advocate for the New Age belief called, "God realization." Dyer states: "God realization is the place where in your heart you take your thoughts and ask yourself, 'Are they in harmony with the source I originated from?' Everyone and everything that shows up in the world of form in this universe originates not from a particle, as quantum physics teaches us, but from an energy field. That energy field can be called God, soul, spirit, or consciousness. It looks a certain way, sounds a certain way, and feels a certain way. I try to stay in harmony with what I believe it sounds and feels like."

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Philippians 4:13). Even Immaculée Ilibagiza understands she was powerless alone to save herself, and prayed unceasingly (1Thess.5:17) for God's protection, so she could be "Left to Tell...". Her miraculous story has nothing to do with "god realization" and everything to do about "relying on God." *

Also: "Led By Faith: Rising from the Ashes of the Rwandan Genocide",
by Immaculée Ilibagiza

In her second book, continuing her story, we are taught how to trust God in all things:

"Immaculee sought a quiet room in a retreat house for solitary hours of prayer and mourning which healed her broken heart. It was a slow and painful passage bathed in tears, in which she grew into the exceptionally strong, loving woman beloved by millions.

She became a conduit of love for her surviving family members, Mother Teresa’s orphans, her colleagues at the UN, and eventually her own husband and children. Immaculee relates her story with warm humility drawing the reader into her tender presence.

Immaculee is what the world, imprisoned in the isolation of Godless materialism urgently needs, a person unafraid to love God and her fellow man intimately without fear of rejection, with a powerful love which overcomes even hatred and unthinkable acts of savagery."

(www.catholicmediareview.blogspot.com/)

There is still tension among the Tutsis and Hutus in Rwanda, "there will be tension for the next 100 years," she said. There are people with wounds from the massacres.(www.immaculee.com )

Rwanda still needs our heart felt prayers.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

*We can gain more powerful insights on the power of prayer that Immaculée discovered during her hour of need, and of that power that comes from God alone, inside Brother Andrew's book, "Prayer Works", also in St. Timothy's Church Library collection.

M.C.

The Church Library NewsLetter Archive: Sept. 2004 to March 2008

March 2008

M.C. reports:

The Anglican Coalition in Canada/Anglican Mission in the Americas has been described as a "mission" church. It is the "Anglican Church" in a new wineskin (Mark 2: 22), according to the talks/sermons given at both the recent Anglican Renewal Mission and the Anglican Awakening.

Thus, The Book That Transforms Nations - by Loren Cunningham, was donated in a timely fashion by a member of St. Timothy's --- with a message for us all:

"No country is too poor, too filled with crime, too divided by war, or too dark to be changed. God has given us basic principles that are keys to every problem we face in the twenty-first century. The answers lie between the covers of one book - the Bible.

The Book That Transforms Nationsdemonstrates how, together, we can use the Bible to change the whole world. Loren Cunningham's fifty years of ministry have taken him to the world's poorest and neediest as well as to kings and presidents. Here he offers a solid reason to hope and work for a better future.

• See how God has already worked wonders in the nations.
• Meet heroes who have discipled countries in applying the Bible's transforming truths.
• Learn about innovative methods for getting God's Word out to everyone.

Loren Cunningham is the founder of Youth With A Mission. For decades, Loren has ministered and taught internationally, often going to thirty or forty countries each year. His missionary travels have taken him to every country on earth. The Book That Transforms Nationsdraws on a lifetime of observing the nations as they change and a lifelong pursuit of hearing God's word for the nations."

Check out this wonderful book, soon -- there is bound to be a waiting list!

December 2007

FROM THE CHURCH LIBRARY:
Report submitted by M.C., Church Librarian:
The Amish novels of Wanda E. Brunstetter will touch your heart and simplify your life. In the church library we have a series of her three novels called, “Daughters of Lancaster County”, which have become a popular “check out” item among our library’s regular readers.
In this series we follow an Amish family's story from its dark beginning to glorious resolution!
Book 1 – The Storekeeper’s Daughter: Time seems to stand still in Naomi Fisher's tranquil Amish community. Helping her widowed father run the general store, keeping house, and raising her seven brothers and sisters leaves her precious little time for courtship. But when her baby brother disappears, she's forced to reconsider her course. Will she leave everything familiar to pursue a new avenue?
Book 2 – The Quilter’s Daughter: Abby Miller leaves her successful quilt shop and patient fiancé in Ohio to help her newly remarried and now pregnant mother in Lancaster County. While she's away, Abby's world is shattered in one fell swoop. How can God make anything good come out of this tragedy?
Book 3 – The Bishop’s Daughter: Leona is Bishop Jacob Weaver's daughter and a dedicated teacher in a one-room Amish schoolhouse. After her father's tragic accident, Leona's faith waivers. How could God allow something like this to happen to one of His servants? "Outlander" Jimmy Scott comes to Pennsylvania in search of his real family. When he is hired to paint an Amish schoolhouse, Jimmy and Leona find themselves irresistibly drawn to each other. Can anything good come from the love between an Amish woman and an "English" man? What secrets will be revealed and what miracles await God's people in Lancaster County? You can read more about author, Wanda E. Brunstetter at www.wandabrunstetter.com

Sept.2007

St. Timothy’s Library
M.C. reports:
New books keep trickling into the library, and many checked out just as fast. Over the next few newsletters, I will be hi-lighting some of the more challenging books written about Christianity. This month will focus on author, Mark Buchanan's two books: Your God is Too Safe, and the companion book, The Holy Wild. Agree with Pastor Mark Buchanan, or not, he will be sure to challenge you and shake you out of your "comfortable place" with God. Mark lives on Vancouver Island with his wife, Cheryl, and their three children. He was educated at UBC, and Regent College, and is the pastor of New Life Community Church, Duncan, BC. The following has been taken from - http://markbuchanan.net/

“Your God is Too Safe: Here’s a thoughtful, probing exploration of why Christians get stuck in the place of complacency, dryness, and tedium — and how to move on to
new levels of spiritual passion. Buchanan shows how the majority of Christians begin their spiritual journey with excitement and enthusiasm — only to get bogged down in a “borderland” — an in-between space beyond the “old life” but short of the abundant, adventurous existence promised by Jesus. Citing Jonah, he examines the problem of “borderland living” — where doubt, disappointment, guilt, and wonderlessness keep
people in a quagmire of mediocrity — then offers solutions - effective ways to get unstuck and move into a bold, unpredictable, exhilarating walk with Christ. Inspired writing!

The Holy Wild: Our perception of God makes a difference in every crevice of our
character, from our inner anxieties to our public conversations. It determines whether we are trusting or suspicious, whether we are happy or discontented - and whether or not we can rely on God matters mightily on the day of our death. Mark Buchanan’s third book continues his penetrating exploration of the God we worship. Bravely and honestly, he
poses the direct question of human existence: Can God be trusted?”
Check both these books out of our church library, sometime soon.

June 2007

St. Timothy’s Library:
The books recently added to the church library from the Alpha resource area are proving to be very popular. Please consider borrowing these books to read during the summer months.

The Grow team welcomes your suggestions and comments.
S.L.

Easter 2007

St. Timothy’s Church Library:
16 new books are being added to the church library. These are books purchased as resource and enhancement materials for the Alpha program. They are now available for general use:

Mere Christianity – C.S. Lewis
Basic Christianity – John Stott
Orthodoxy – G.K. Chesterton
Run Baby Run – Nicky Cruz
The Cross and the Switchblade – David Wilkerson
The Hiding Place – Corrie Ten Boom
Too Busy not to Pray – Bill Hybels
Chasing the Dragon – Jackie Pullinger
Listening to God – Joyce Huggett
Life in Christ – Raniero Cantalamessa
Come Creator Spirit – Raniero Cantalamessa
The Screwtape Letters – C.S. Lewis
How to Give Away Your Faith – Paul Little
Dancer off her feet – Julie Sheldon
Power Evangelism – John Wimber
What’s so Amazing about Grace? – Philip Yancey

If you have ideas or suggestions that we might pursue to further “grow” the faith of our community, please let me know.
S.L.

February 2007

St. Timothy's Church Library
Did you know -- almost ALL the books in our Church Library are banned in places like North Korea, Saudi Arabia, etc. In a free country like Canada, we can pick and choose to read what we like with out fear of persecution. Some of these books cannot be found in our own public libraries, though. But -- only a few people come to check out St. Timothy's Church Library, weekly. Please come and check out our books every Sunday at coffee time. Suggest new books. Donated new and "gently used" books are always welcome for the library.

New additions to the library: The complete set of Wanda E. Brunstetter's "Daughters of Lancaster County" is a heart-warming fiction that gives us insight into the simple ways of the Amish.
Book 1 - The Storekeeper's Daughter;
Book 2 - The Quilter's Daughter;
Book 3 - The Bishop's Daughter.

M.C.

October 2006

There have been a few interesting and positive changes for the Church Library. After a long absence, the library is back with a new look. There is permanent book tray that will be out every Sunday, next to the kitchen. We also have a bright new library sign to hang up. New books have been added and continue weekly to supplement our library.

As the library goes through improvements, we hope to attract more of our readers to check out these good books. Permanent additions include a Harper's Bible Dictionary and Strong's Concordance (a generous donation from Margaret Salibi), for use with Bible Study home groups, etc. There are books for the youn, the youth, and the "young at heart" to GROW in the Christian faith. I give my thanks to Patricia Young and Carolyn Edwards for their help and advice. (I also wish to thank Ron and Gordon Barrett for the custom built Library "bookshelf").

M.C.

February 2006

The Church Library has had donations of many wonderul books as of late, and still coming! Many thanks go to Margaret Salibi and the Barrett family. Several books are placed in the Library in memory of Erica Barrett.

There are many very good books for the young people in our church. Rarely do I see these books borrowed. Many "YP" labelled books are also very good reading for the "young at heart" in our church. Meditative prayer, devotions and Lenten reading books are available. Topical reading booklets from RBC Ministries are available for FREE, while some donated books will be for sale "by donation to the Church Library fund".

Please come and check out the books in the church library every second Sunday during Coffee Time. There will be a plastic bucket -- for church library book returns and book donations -- out on one of the main tables every Sunday. Some books need to be returned. If you have any overdue church library books around the house, please return them any Sunday for other to read. Thanks and good reading.
M.C.

November 2005

Thank you to several parishioners for donations of many books over the past few months. I will be working to have them ready for borrowing in the near future. There are several RBC Ministries Publication booklets that are available without cost or for a small donation to the Church Library. A selection of Christmas books will be out for borrowing now and throughout the "12 Days of Christmas". Check out the Church Library. Good reading.
M.C.

October 2005

On a more personal note, one of the ways that I have discovered that I can really learn more about Christ is to read a variety of books which explore different aspects of the Christian faith. If you are interested and have some time to read, there is a huge variety of inspirational books available at the local library and at local bookstores. The “Sign of the Fish” Christian bookstore at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue is an excellent resource for all of us in North Vancouver . St. Timothy's also has its own collection of books, so when they are on display, please take some time to investigate and maybe you will find something to read that will be inspirational for you.

Here are some recommended books, all of which are available at the North Vancouver District Library.

“What is so amazing about grace?” by Philip Yancey (in the Church Library)
When it comes to difficult issues, Yancey isn't afraid to ask hard questions and he doesn't give easy answers. Join him on a soul-searching pilgrimage into the meaning of grace. Combining poignant stories, personal examples, and biblical knowledge, his insights can challenge the mind and heart with a liberating look at the driving force of our faith.

“Mere Christianity” by C.S. Lewis (in the Church Library)
Lewis seeks in “Mere Christianity” to help us see religion with fresh eyes, as a radical faith whose adherents might be likened to an underground group gathering in a war zone, a place where evil seems to have the upper hand, to hear messages of hope from the other side. “Mere Christianity” has sold millions of copies worldwide. The book brings together Lewis's legendary broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he sets out simply to “explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times”.

“Travelling light: releasing the burdens you were never intended to bear” by Max Lucado (Church Library wish list)
From the award-winning author Max Lucado comes Travelling Light , refreshing words wrapped around the biblical passages of the 23rd Psalm to reenergize weary spiritual travellers. In his inimitable, pastoral voice that both soothes and exhorts, Lucado gently unpacks the verses of the psalm while helping readers lay down the burdens of doubt, anxiety, perfectionism, and fear. "You can't enjoy a journey carrying so much stuff," Lucado writes. Lucado mixes personal transparency with his trademark humour, offering uncomplicated counsel. Change your focus. Make time for rest. Know you are not alone. Be humble. Trust God. It's only when we set down our "luggage" and let God carry it for us, says Lucado, that we are free to share grace, offer comfort, and help lift the load of others. As you read Lucado's words and work through the study questions, you'll find your own load feeling a little lighter.

“The Return of the Prodigal Son: a meditation on father, brothers and sons” by Henri J.M. Nouwen (Church Library wish list)
The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming is a spiritual adventure story. A chance encounter with a poster depicting a detail of Rembrandt's The Return of the Prodigal Son set in motion a chain of events that enabled Nouwen to redefine and claim his vocation late in his life. In this book, which interweaves elements of art history, memoir, and self-help, Nouwen brings the parable to life with empathic analyses of each character. Nouwen's absorption in the story (and the painting) is so complete that the father's challenge to love the son, and the son's challenge to receive that love, becomes Nouwen's own. And Nouwen's writing is so clear and his tone is so appealingly frank and humble that readers--no matter how far from home--will find hope for themselves in the prodigal peace Nouwen ultimately achieves.

-P.Y.

December 2004

Christmas is around the corner and the library has a few Christmas books for the young and young at heart. Please come and check them out to read by a cozy fireplace and lit up Christmas trees. For those who have completed the Alpha course, there are some books to help you GROW in Christ, including After Alpha - by Michael Green.

In the past, library books were loaned for a month. In order to make it easier for the librarian to keep track of books, books will be signed out for two weeks, with extension for another two weeks if needed. During our move from the Harvest Project to the Lynn Valley Rec. Centre, I was made aware that some books were left at the Harvest Project. I believe all were found and given back.

There are still a few books overdue from the summer months. If you have any of these, could you please return them any Sunday? There will be a new library book return box out near the coffee area for that purpose. I wish to thank all those who have donated new books to the library. Blessed Advent, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, and great holiday reading.

M.C. - Church Librarian

September 2004

Yes, we have a church library at St. Timothy's. Some of you may have noticed me bringing in a bucket and bag to Service every second Sunday. There are books for all ages to browse and borrow for up to one month at a time. I am also compiling a book list of the whole collection so that books may be ordered in advance. Out thanks go to those who have recently donated used and new books (the donors' name is recorded inside).

For adults:

Rick Warren's -- The Purpose Driven Church; and, The Purpose Driven Life

Wayne Cordeiro - Doing Church as a Team

Shelley Bate - Grounds to Believe (a Steeple Hill Fiction)

K.P. Johannan - Revolution in World Missions

For Youth:

Loren Cunningham - Is That Really You God?

Alice Gray - Stories for a Teen's Heart

Chicken Soup for - the Preteen Soul/ Teenage Soul on Love and Friendship

Greg Speck - Living for Jesus When the Party's Over

For Children:

Jan Karon's - Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny

Jesus Loves Me board book

Baby Jesus board book

There are many resources available for those who teach our young people at Sunday School, and for the parents of our youth. Two books just newly arrived in the Church Library are: Josh McDowell's - Right from Wrong: What you need to know to help youth make the right choices (This new study reveals a majority of churched youth can no longer determine right from wrong.) From the "Godprints Team" - Hearts, Brains and Growing Pains: Terrific Teaching that Changes You and Your Kids.

Come and "check out" the books at St. Timothy's Library. I will be glad to meet you.

M.C., Church Librarian