My Father, Maker of the Trees: How I Survived the Rwandan Genocide [Kindle Edition]

Tracey D. Lawrence (Author), Eric Irivuzumugabe (Author)

Book Description

In 1994, 16-year-old Eric Irivuzumugabe climbed a cypress tree and remained there for 15 days without food or water. He wasn't trying to win a bet with his friends--he was attempting to save his life. Eric is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide that claimed the lives of 1 million people in just 100 days. In the midst of indescribable loss, and without a job, a home, or an education, Eric was determined to start a new life for himself and his two surviving brothers.



My Father, Maker of the Trees is the story not only of his physical survival, it is the story of his spiritual rebirth and the role he is playing in the healing and redemption of his land and people. His incredible account will show readers the reality of evil in the world as well as the power of hope. Eric's message of God's relentless love through our darkest circumstances will encourage and inspire.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The author was 16 in 1994 when he fled for his life as Hutus set out to eradicate Tutsis in Rwanda. Those 100 days of genocide left more than one million people dead and also left 120,000 orphans. Irivuzumugabe survived by hiding for 15 days in a cypress tree, watching from above as Hutu killers combed the brush, killing anyone they found. He wondered about the fate of his family; he wondered if he would survive the lack of food and water. Fifteen years later, the author shares his story—and the stories of other survivors—with American readers. I want you to know of my struggle so that you too may feel the call to forgive, says the young man who in 2005 founded Humura Ministries to help fellow orphans in Rwanda. This story mirrors many told by those who came through Rwanda's genocide, yet the power of this book comes from a call to forgiveness worldwide as well as from the author's understanding of suffering. Americans can only benefit from this story of God's provision and grace. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From the Inside Flap

"Though fear and darkness have tried to consume my heart, an incandescent light hovers now over my family's story when I'm willing to share it with others. I know now that evil cannot destroy my heart, even as I remember its force again and again. As you read the accounts of terrorizing escape, don't let the darkness overtake you. I know this to be true: the River's grace sings louder and is much more powerful. The hellish killing ground could not thwart God's plan.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 1377 KB
• Print Length: 208 pages
• Publisher: Baker Books (September 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B002MUCBWQ
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #322,943 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #52 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > History > Africa > East Africa
  • #83 in Books > History > Africa > Rwanda

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Emabarrassed October 13, 2009

By Nolan J. Lewis

Format:Hardcover

As I read the book "My Father, Maker of the Trees" my mind travelled down many emotional paths. The longer path and the one making the most profound impact on me was the embarrassment path. How did this happen as we Americans, more pointedly American Christians sat by passively as genocide played out in Rwanda. As I think further about 1994 I wonder what we have done since the horrific events occurred. Embarrassment is my only response. We sit in our churches and make such small things seem so large while our brothers and sisters were being slaughtered by the thousands. I've decided as a pastor this can no longer be an embarrassment, it must be a call to do something. Rwanda's hope is in the hands of God. When the people turn to Him, genocide will in fact be something we can honestly say WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN! Our church for one, will simplify and mobilize ourselves to respond to the needs of Humura and the millions of people in need in Rwanda... and other places where God leads us to lend a hand. My thanks to Tracey Lawrence for enduring the agony of experiencing genocide through the eyes and words of a truly amazing young man, who not only is a survivor, but an overcomer of genocide. I'm so thankful for the book because it has helped me to see that hope can be given as a gift from God for all who seek it. Eric, I'm sorry for mine and the people I have led for 15 years who have made budgets, building programs, trips to Amusement Parks and music styles more important than helping our brothers and sisters in need. "My Father, Maker of the Trees" has lifted scales from my eyes. We are so consumer and market driven in our churches today that we've forgotten why we exist! Thanks Tracey for the gift of this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A difficult, but encouraging read February 18, 2010

By Eskypades VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

In 1994, hundreds of thousands of Rwandan Tutsis were murdered by the Hutu militia in the country's worst act of genocide. In roughly 100 days, as much as 20% of Rwanda's population was killed. The acts of horror and violence committed during this time are unthinkable. Yet even during such a nightmare as genocide, God showed himself to many people, among them Eric Irivuzumugabe. My Father, Maker of the Trees is Eric's story, not simply of how he survived the genocide, but how he came to faith in God despite, or perhaps because of, his experience.

Eric was 16 years old when the violence erupted in Rwanda and he found himself trying to escape with his family. During the mayhem, he was separated from his family and forced to find shelter in a cypress tree. From there, he witnessed and heard the massacre of many people including his own family members. After the Hutu militia was routed, Eric was reunited with two of his brothers who also survived the genocide.

The book tells the story of how Eric and others, including his two brothers, escaped the killings. In heart wrenching narration, we learn of the brutal atrocities committed by one people against another. But, as amazing as the survival stories are, this is not what makes Eric's story remarkable. The true wonder of the book is how Eric finds hope, healing and even the power to forgive his family's murderers through God's mercy and grace. His words of encouragement speak not only of the love he has for ALL Rwandan people (Tutsi and Hutu alike), but also of a confidence in a sovereign God, even in the face of horrific trials. I would highly recommend this book.

Dion Graham, the narrator for the christianaudio recording, did an incredible job. Very few narrators make you feel like they are sitting next to you engaging you in conversation, but Dion certainly accomplishes this. His ability to convey the heart and intensity of Eric's story is excellent.

(Thanks to christianaudio for the opportunity to review this audiobook.)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Forgiveness and Reconciliation December 17, 2009

By Adam Posegate

Format:Hardcover

Eric is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. He is a Tutsi, and most of his family, along with over a million others, were murdered in the genocide over the course of 100 days. He has written a book about his experience, but that is not what makes Eric special. What the book conveys is the work of God in him and through him. He is a living example of Christian forgiveness, and he preaches forgiveness and reconciliation and peace.

It is of course moving and emotional. I couldn't make it through the prologue where he listed off the names of his family who had been killed without breaking down. That is not the point. The power of his message is not in his victimhood, but in the proclamation of Christ's love towards those who perpetrated these heinous acts.

Eric documents his journey of living Jesus' command to love one's enemies. He will be blessed for that, and so will those who take this message to heart.

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