I have been part of a small group for the last 4 years that meets every Wednesday for breakfast many of the members of this group are very prominent so in ways I feel privileged that every week I can share breakfast and be a part of people who have made their mark on Uganda.
However on Monday July 26, 2010, I picked up my phone and called one of the Wednesday group Mr. Chris Rwakasisi to come and share with a group of young men and women that I have also been part of the last 14 years. This is the joy of being in relationship with a large group of people.
This group has as its long term mission a mandate to mobilize a movement of men of integrity and women of virtue whose lives will depict the character qualities we teach at our schools. To this effect we meet in small and large groups monthly and weekly to share and be part of one another’s lives. We have managed to do this by creating small self supporting groups that meet and are committed to one another for life.
August 1, 2010 was one such monthly meeting and I was so glad that Chris Rwakasisi accepted our invitation to come share with the group. Among the invited guests was - Paulo Kyama and Professor Pierre Yourougou. Mr. Paulo Kyama is a consultant with the Ministry of Finance, member of the Wednesday Breakfast Group, a father, family man and friend.
Paulo was asked to introduce our guest and the guest speaker of the day – First he introduced Prof Pierre Yourougou – a clinical professor of Finance and God fearing man and consultant with the World Bank his connection was Bigirwa – for more he asked us to google him out and when I did that there was a lot out there on him.
He then turned to introduce the guest speaker. In this country – there is 5% that determine another 5% who shoulder the responsibility of leading the 90% and we are privileged to have Chris who was among this 5% to lead the country. He mentioned the fact that Chris has been part of the small group that meets very Wednesday.
Mr. Rwakasisi shared his testimony with a full house of members and a few friends. He started with tales of his upbringing. Chris now 70 is son of a chief – his father is now 108 years old. Raised in all strict Christian disciple educated and had nothing to lack – he says he saw no poverty. He soon walked into wealth, power and influence in Uganda. Soon his Christian upbringing was forgotten and just started enjoying the “life”. Had a great relationship with the president and was minister of internal affairs.
He was arrested, was supposed to be charged with Treason, Murder and finally charged and convicted with kidnap with intention to murder. At his arrest he says he say himself being taken from Grace to Grass. A man who had high ranking officers salute you to being arrested by men of the army men with no ranks. He was sentenced to death with men he did not even know their names – he met his co-accused at the dock and had to ask who he is for the first time.
He stayed in solitary confinement, while there he read through the Bible several time before it could make sense. Three days before his removal from solitary confinement, he had a supernatural experience and a visit from the Lord – giving the news that he would be out the prison with in a prison - from that time on his life has never been the same. The president pardoned him and now he is out going places giving his testimony and inviting people to a relationship with the Lord.
The testimony of Chris reminds me of the fact that many times I live in a sort of prison – a prison. A prison that even though I think has been placed on me – I know that sometimes I have placed on myself. In particular this prison manifests in three forms: My Past, My Illusions and My Inabilities – ultimately my choice to live in the Lord has given me the strength to be what I have been able to be over the years.
My Past: is one that I really would like to dwell on – in any case I did not chose and I can do nothing to change it I only need to understand and live with it. However, my past brings to light experiences of a variety of feelings, - from pride, satisfaction, contentment through to bitterness and anger. These feelings are all actually controlled by my thoughts or selective things I continue to bring forth about the past (my memories), which in turn influence my details. Luckily, God has granted me the wisdom to break this prison that the past keeps dragging on me. The past also include things you inherit I am proud to not that I inherited a health – I have always a great immune body system compared to my peers.
My Illusions: Here I make reference to things/events that I believe are reality. The illusion that have locked me into thinking that I am good enough, fast enough, smart enough, know enough and on and on. This kind of prison is tough to be in. Personally, this could have come up from being raised from one relative to another. You may understand that being raised as an outsider everything you do is never good enough. This really affected and looking back now I can even see it more.
My Inabilities: Personally, I believe I have lived with many inabilities things for which I cannot blame any other person on, Physically, Mentally, Socially and Economically. Like other humans I believe I would do better with a little more money, strength, academic ability or more friends. But here I am with having to use only what the Lord has given.
Like Chris Rwakasis who feels that being taken from Grace to Grass, I believe the only hope for a better life is in Jesus, in a relationship with Him.
Proverbs 10:12 reminds me that - Love covers over all wrongs. John 15:13 also reminds me that “Greater love has no one…” - Christ gave you His life, His body and blood. Remember His sacrifice and recieve His gift, for He waits for you in His kingdom. Repent your sin and be welcomed into Heaven with open arms. I am sure that is a way out of prison
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