Category: genocide to generosity
Video chat on the Gen2Gen cover
The beautiful art for “From Genocide to Generosity” points to a key contribution for the recovery of Rwandans after the genocide. The process of civil accountability using a traditional approach for conflict resolution called Gacaca (‘on the grass’) created a world first: all prisoners accused of involvement in the events of 1994 were brought to justice in a way which emphasized restoration to community life wherever possible. The front cover features a summary of this approach. The back cover (shown here) has introductory details and some endorsements.
You will enjoy the brief explanations by the author…
From Gen 2 Gen strikes GOLD
WONDERS NEVER CEASE
In May ’16 I received news that From Genocide to Generosity had been chosen as one of ten finalists for the INDIEFAB Book of 2015 on the topic of Grief and Grieving. I thought this to be a happy outcome, because someone had read the book and judged it to make a useful contribution to the topic.
As the book is not a textbook on grief I was satisfied to be a finalist and, Langham creative, my publisher, released a statement for its website and members and supporters of their work.
Langham Publication Named INDIEFAB Book of the Year Finalist
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Langham Publication Named INDIEFAB Book of the Year Finalist
Langham Creative Projects is pleased to announce that From Genocide to Generosity has been recognized as a finalist in the 18th annual Foreword Reviews’ INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards. See our finalist entry in the Grief/Grieving section as well as the complete list of finalist at the INDIEFAB website. Each year, Foreword Reviews shines a light on a select group of indie publishers, university presses, and self-published authors whose work stands out from the crowd. In the next three months, a panel of more than 100 volunteer librarians and booksellers will determine the winners in 63 categories based on their experience with readers and patrons. “The 2015 INDIEFAB finalist selection process is as inspiring as it is rigorous,” said Victoria Sutherland, publisher of Foreword Reviews. “The strength of this list of finalists is further proof that small, independent publishers are taking their rightful place as the new driving force of the entire publishing industry.” In reaction to the news, Pieter Kwant, Director of Literature at Langham Partnership said “It has been a privilege to publish John Steward and to enable these amazing stories of recovery and restoration from Rwanda to be read by people around the world. Dealing with grief is never straight-forward but even more so when a country’s entire population is individually impacted by these issues as in the case of Rwanda after the genocide. The road to generosity and the transformation of people’s hearts and relationships through the process of reconciliation is something we give thanks for. The nomination of From Genocide to Generosity for the INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards in the Grief/Grieving category is a recognition of John’s labour in writing this book but also the humility of the Rwandans whose stories he tells and the power of God through healing and reconciliation. Langham Creative Projects is very pleased to add our own congratulations to John for this nomination.” Foreword Reviews will celebrate the winners during a program at the American Library Association Annual Conference in Orlando, Florida in June. We will also name the Editor’s Choice Prize 2015 for Fiction, Nonfiction and Foreword Reviews’ 2015 INDIEFAB Publisher of the Year Award during the presentation. About the Publisher: Langham Partnership seeks to equip a new generation of Bible teachers in the Majority World through its doctoral scholarships, literature resourcing and training and support of expository preachers. Our publishing ministry, Langham Creative Projects, originates and produces affordable books specifically for scholars, seminary libraries and preachers in the Majority World. More information on our three main imprints – Langham Global Library, Langham Monographs and Langham Preaching Resources – as well as our other supported publishing projects can be found at langhamcreative.org. More information on Langham Partnership and its work can be found at langham.org. About Foreword: Foreword Magazine, Inc is a media company featuring a Folio:-award-winning quarterly print magazine, Foreword Reviews, and a website devoted to independently published books. In the magazine, they feature reviews of the best 170 new titles from independent publishers, university presses, and noteworthy self-published authors. Their website features daily updates: reviews along with in-depth coverage and analysis of independent publishing from a team of more than 100 reviewers, journalists, and bloggers. The print magazine is available at most Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million newsstands or by subscription. You can also connect with them on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and Pinterest. They are headquartered in Traverse City, Michigan, USA.
From Genocide to GenerosityHatreds Heal on Rwanda’s Hills Author: John Steward Page Count: 200 Published: June 2015 Purchase a copy directly from Langham, Amazon, Book Depository, or contact your preferred bookseller. |
From Genocide to Generosity named Foreword Reviews’ 2015 INDIEFAB Book of the Year Awards Finalist.
A Finalist for best book on Grief and Grieving
From Genocide to Generosity has been shortlisted in the ‘Foreword reviews’ Book of the Year award
in the subject of grief and grieving. These awards celebrate the publications produced by
Independent publishers in the English language.
Book review
Book Review
| Title: From Genocide to Generosity: Hatreds Heal on Rwanda’s Hill |
| Author: John Steward |
| Publication details: Carlisle, UK: Langham Global Library, 2015 |
Sum mary: John Steward served in Rwanda with World Vision in 1997, where he was engaged in reconciliation activities and programs in the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. He has since undertaken a number of short visits, with 2012 being the most recent. This book shares insights and lessons learnt from this engagement, within the church and beyond, and gives voice to local staff and friends in the ministry of reconciliation by narrating their experiences and contributions. There are descriptions of programs that encourage transformation and healing between Tutsis and Hutus such as workshops on personal development, healing the wounds of ethnic conflict, healing of memories and community restorative justice. Sharing these stories gives hope that change can take place after such trauma and acknowledges the generosity that has flowed, even if there is still much more healing that needs to take place. |
| Evaluation: I am delighted that one of my many mission companions has told this story and been vulnerable about his personal journey through this ministry. This book is significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, this book addresses the need for reconciliation within our communities, a theme which lies at the heart of the gospel, and challenges us to be authentic in our practices. Secondly, the book highlights the significance of transformation through the use of a number of intentional, best-practice activities, education programs and resources that seek to demonstrate what genuine forgiveness looks like. A number of these programs are based on traditional approaches to healing and community peace building, and use indigenous art forms in communication. In short, this book bears witness to the power of the gospel in a world crying out for holistic healing, and provides ways to practically respond to the reconciliation needs of church and society, which are relevant for all Christians, including us living in Australia. |
| Reviewed by: David Turnbull |
The book is launched
Already I have participated in four launches of the book From Genocide to Generosity. These times have affirmed the interest in the book among a wide range of people. In a later post I will add some of the speakers’ impressions. In this case my impression is people liked hearing a section of the book read aloud. They felt the emotion, the challenge and the hope which the stories tell. This connects with what readers are often telling me: that sometimes 2 or 3 pages are enough at a time, so there is space to reflect on what was happening and what it is saying to the reader.
I have been pleased also that some can’t put the book down once they start. One amazing piece of feedback came from a friend whose partner had not read a book in 18 years, but grabbed hold of this one and would not let it go until he completed reading it.
Here are some photos from the launches so far:
The story continues: part 5
Alice and Immanuel feature in From Genocide to Generosity. They are the pair of smiling faces on the Home page of this website.
Early in 2014 they were visited by a reporter from the Australian newspaper, accompanied by the media person from World Vision of Australia. When Alice invited the visitors to her home, the journalist noticed a tea towel, a cloth a souvenir cloth hanging on the wall of Alice’s home. Who gave you that? he enquired. It was a gift of John Steward, said Alice. Who is John Steward? they asked. Alice explained a little and Josephine, who was escorting the group, added her own explanation. Josephine Munyeli was a member of my team; she now holds the equivalent of my old position in World Vision Rwanda.
When the journalist returned home I spoke with him and explained the background to the work of healing and forgiveness in Rwanda. I stressed that forgiveness is not exoneration, it is not pretending that terrible things did not happen, it is not allowing the perpetrator to go free, but it does set the wounded (in spirit) person free from the perpetrator’s ‘power’ over them. Alice and Immanuel are an example that forgiveness does not dissolve the consequences of wrong acts, nor remove the need for Justice; forgiveness is part of the journey, a choice for which every individual must take their own time. It always benefits the one who forgives, while it may have little impact on the one who offended. In this case Immanuel can smile because he asked for forgiveness from his victim and she chose to do that.
The journalist presented some of these thoughts in the weekend Australian in early April 2014 commemorating the 20th anniversary of the beginning of the Rwandan genocide. You can see that on the Facebook page with the same title. The fuller, amazing story is in From Genocide to Generosity, where Alice and Immanuel are referred to by their Kinyarwanda names: Mukarurinda and Ndayisaba.
The story continues: part 4
On publishing the book: the copy-ready manuscript is at the publishers in the UK. The boutique publisher, Langham Global, focuses on the Majority World of Asia, Africa and Latin America. Most marketers favour the richer countries of North America, Europe and the southern hemisphere. Langham recognises that the content of the book is needed all over the world. So on-line orders for the paperback version and an e-book will be available. Read More
The story continues: part 3
After 18 months work drawing together the stories from the past 15 years, by April 2014 I had a manuscript of 90,000 words. Friends read it and said it was powerful material but heavy going. In the next six months a skilful editor cut almost 30,000 words and created a wonderful flow of one story to the next.
As the book took shape I contacted an agent in the UK who had been recommended to me. His response to my introductory letter was stark: ”Rwanda, another book on Rwanda…? Why do we need another book on Rwanda?” Read More
The story continues: part 2
In 2012 I visited some of the Rwandans Dave had filmed. They gathered close as I opened my laptop and played some of the stories he had created from the footage and I explained how we were using it. I showed them parts of Vanishing Point, the secondary school curriculum. Their response was gasps of amazement, smiling faces and then tears of joy. One group said “We have had 100 people come and take our story, but you are the first to return to say ‘thank you’ and to tell us how you are using the information.” Read More
From genocide to generosity
What is it like to live in Rwanda and engage with traumatised persons who are searching for answers to the question, “How do we make sense of this mess and start to recover and rediscover a purpose for living?” Read More
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