Today, April 7, 2009, marks the start of the 15th anniversary of the genocide that occurred in Rwanda where more than an estimated one million men, women and children were murdered in 100 days because they were Tutsis. Hutus that opposed the radical government were also killed. The world turned a blind eye and failed to protect these people from decimation.

Many International public figures are joining Rwandans to remember the victims and express support for the survivors in a hundred-day event beginning in the national stadium in Rwanda’s capital city, Kigali, on the evening of April 7th, as part of the official commemoration of the genocide.

Ten thousand candles will be lit in the shape of the memorial flame in Rwanda with the words "hope" in three languages: Kinyarwanda, English and French. The films of public figures lighting candles will be projected on a large screen while 500 young survivors light the candles of Hope. Music written by Rwandan and East African artists will form part of this powerful ceremony.

Please join us here in North East Wisconsin, as the sun sets tonight, and light a candle in remembrance and support of the Rwandan people. We will have those candles lit each night through the month of April and place them in a window that many can see. On April 30th we will meet in Downtown Little Chute for a Prayer Vigil in honor of those lost in the genocide. The Prayer Vigil will begin at 8:00 p.m. just as the sun sets. This event will be videotaped and sent to the Orphans in Rwanda to be viewed at the Annual Humura Ministries Conference in Kigali.

After visiting Rwanda a number of times and hearing firsthand from the orphans that the support from Westerners means more than they can articulate, I am compelled to invite you, your friends, and family to join us at the Prayer Vigil. Please remember to pray for these young people as they pass through another time of mourning. This time of mourning is deeply distressing for them and they sincerely need our prayers. Thank you.

As always, Joie

We are still collecting funds for the Annual Humura Ministries Conference in Kigali and Rwamagana. These conferences offer medical advice for Post Traumatic Stress symptoms, encouragement for schooling and healthy living, assistance in accessing government resources, and creates a family network for these young people to begin to develop a life lived in hope, forgiveness and reconciliation. Please consider a one-time gift that will enable the conferences to continue.

You can make checks payable to: Shouts of Joy Ministries

And send them to: 815 Jefferson Street, Little Chute, WI 54136

Or you can donate via PayPal, a very secure online way to donate. To do so, click here, which will take you to our website's Contributions page, and then click on the Contribution button.