Enemies no more
Pastors from warring groups in Africa work towards peace
WINNIPEG, MB—When two students from warring groups in the Congo started studying at Canadian Mennonite University, they had no idea they would become friends.
Theo Muthumwa and Shadrack Mutabazi are both local pastors in Winnipeg, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Muthumwa is from the Bantu majority from eastern Congo, while Mutabasi is from the Banyamulenge minority.
The two met while taking an introductory Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies (PACTS) course at CMU. They both discovered a desire to share their stories and bring peace to their people.
They both recall a reluctance to talk about their past, the loved ones lost and persecution experienced, when they first immigrated to Canada in the late 2000s, but that has now changed.
“We are now telling [our] stories,” Muthumwa says. “If we didn’t talk, we would finish at CMU and I would think [Mutabazi] is my enemy.”
Muthumwa notes that many Canadians are unaware of the conflict that occurs in other countries. He experienced persecution and exile for speaking out against his own people’s violence and hatred towards the Banyamulenge people, and believes sharing stories like his is crucial to finding unity and forgiveness.
“Our goal is not to end here, it is to also go back home,” Muthumwa says. “The studies we got from CMU are a bridge. We want to start first with those Congolese here, to create a sense of dialogue, and to create also dialogue in Africa.”
Mutabazi says every person has a personal story of violence, fear and suffering.
“We are initiating different programs, inter-dialogue, training, conferences and worship experiences for better strengthening the life and witness of our communities,” he says.
Mutubazi recalls learning different tactics and styles to help himself and others move from physical, spiritual, emotional and threatening memories, and has been using those skills.
Both Muthumwa and Mutabazi have started ministries serving immigrants, Africans, and Canadians in Winnipeg; Muthumwa initiated Philadelphia Miracle and Mutabazi leads Shalom Christian Outreach.
“This is a big step for us to see people from the Great Lakes Region of Africa sitting together in one room sharing their stories,” Mutabazi says.
Mutabazi has also gone to Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton to mobilize community and dialogue with church leaders about the initiatives and reconciliation for African people; he has been practicing his skills within church and community organizations inside and outside of Canada since he graduated in April 2014.
“As a church leader, I would like to encourage other leaders to have compassion and encouragement for survivors of wars,” Mutabazi says. “[Muthumwa and I] have teams who are working for our reconciliation and healing initiatives in America, Europe, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and D.R. Congo. We train them through Skype and support them as we can to reach our goals.”
Mutabazi says some of the challenges they face in their efforts include the serious conflicts in African countries, and prayer and financial support in reaching out to them, including a plan to visit Africa for one month in 2015 with other peacemakers from North America.
“Conflicts have always divided communities,” Mutabazi says. “We aim for peace and unity to struggle against tribalism, and to bring healing to those affected by injustice and reconciling broken relationships.”
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