April 7th has been set aside by the United Nations as the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Rwandan Genocide.
Compassion Canada and Graf-Martin Communications are working to share the inspiring examples of how Rwandan survivors and Christians around the world have been working diligently and intentionally to rebuild and reconcile after this unimaginable tragedy, through the hope and peace that Jesus offers to each of us.
Please join us on this day of remembrance, and continue reading below to learn a few of the remarkable stories of healing, forgiveness, and reconciliation that have taken place since that terrible event 25 years ago.
Three Young Rwandans Pursue Peace After Genocide
Written by Laura Phillips
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”-Matthew 5:9
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*Warning: This account contains disturbing details of violence.
It’s been 25 years since the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, and though time has passed, the people of Rwanda will never be the same. The genocide was started in April of 1994 by Hutu nationalists in the capital of Kigali. For 100 days, Hutu militias took up arms against the Tutsis. More than 800,000 people were slaughtered during those 100 days. The people of Rwanda will always carry with them the deep loss and scars the genocide left behind.
Elizabeth Camden’s stories are always compelling and engaging, capable of sweeping her readers away with incredible, historical feats of science and engineering that are revealed through the lens of (fictional) people living in that time period. Ms. Camden’s newest release from Bethany House, “A Desperate Hope”, is another sequel to a couple of her previous books, (“A Dangerous Legacy” and “A Daring Venture”) but can very easily be read on it’s own, as well. 
Many of the non-fiction books that I gravitate toward have to do with women of the Bible. I was excited to see that this new release from Revell “When Life Doesn’t Match Your Dreams: Hope for Today from 12 Women of the Bible” revolved around exactly that topic, and from Jill Eileen Smith, an incredibly talented Biblical fiction author! I believe this book, even now that I am finished it, will help me to read the Bible with a much deeper ability to relate to the people and stories within it’s pages. They really were not as different from you and me as it might feel from a quick reading. 
Don’t you love a novel series where the setting and characters are so memorable that they live in your imagination long after finishing the final page? “The Heart of Alaska” collection written by Tracie Peterson and Kimberley Woodhouse and published by Bethany House is just such a series, and although “Under the Midnight Sun” is the final saga we will hear from the Curry Hotel family, their stories will long live in my memory! 
Angela Hunt’s masterfully written biblical fiction always exceeds my expectations. As we step into the pages of the story, we are carried back in time to Israel before the birth of Jesus, and can see, hear, smell, taste, and almost touch the ancient setting that envelops us. Ms. Hunt’s newest novel is just as incredible (and based on historical fact) as her previous works, and is a continuation of her “Silent Years” series. “Jerusalem’s Queen: A Novel of Salome Alexandra” is the story of one of Judea’s greatest rulers, who lived in the time period between the writing of the Old Testament and the New Testament. In fact, Salome Alexandra’s reign ended only a few years before the Messiah was born, and her peaceful influence over Jerusalem (after a time of unrest and horrific atrocities from the leaders of the nation) paved the way for Jesus’ lifetime. 
Title: “Searching for You”
It is always a bittersweet moment when I reach the final words of a delightful and much-loved series, and Julie Klassen’s memorable “Tales from Ivy Hill” is definitely no exception. “The Bride of Ivy Green” is the final installment of the trilogy published by Bethany House, and allows readers one last visit to the beloved little town of Ivy Hill and all its inhabitants. If you have already enjoyed “The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill” and “The Ladies of Ivy Cottage”, you will be delighted with this satisfying, and oftentimes surprising, final installment. 
Do you enjoy Christian Historical Fiction with a western setting and a flair for humor? I know I do! Regina Jennings’ newest novel from Bethany House is the second in her “Fort Reno” series, and is entitled “The Lieutenant’s Bargain”. Although recurring characters from “Holding the Fort” appear regularly, this is a story all it’s own – with plenty of sweet romance, a taste of wild west danger, a dose of laugh-out-loud humor, and some thought-provoking themes about faith, trust, idols, and love. It is also set during the Christmas season, making it a fun story to read in December. 
It’s the time of year to launch into a holiday themed TBR pile. Thus, when offered a chance for a Bethany House Christmas Novella Collection from four award-winning authors, you can guess my response!
At last we’ve come to the release of the book we’ve all been waiting for – the third installment of Roseanna White’s masterpiece series “Shadows Over England”. After reading “A Name Unknown” (which still remains my single most favourite book over a year later), and “A Song Unheard”, I was very anxiously awaiting my copy of “An Hour Unspent” and I can now say it was with good reason. 
Prairie Sky Book Reviews 