Deo Ntiyankundiye, a Tutsi officer in the Burundian National Police Force, had a shot at killing the feared Hutu soldier known as “Mbawa” in 1993. The sort of Hutu-Tutsi tensions typified in this near-fatal encounter exploded in neighboring Rwanda in 1994, resulting in a tragic genocide. Burundi, on Rwanda’s southern border, has a similar tribal mix and, while it has avoided genocide, civil conflict over many decades, resulting in thousands of dead, has only recently given way to a newfound peace, with growing reconciliation between former enemies.

But could two men who had nearly killed one another find forgiveness and friendship? AE has seen this happen firsthand.

Mbawa, the nickname of Antoine Harushimana, grew up in a poor Hutu family outside of Bujumbura, the capital city of Burundi. Unable to finish his studies, he joined the National Army. After his training, he left to join the Forces for the Defense of Democracy (FDD), a renegade Hutu group bent on overthrowing the Tutsi government. Mbawa rose quickly to become the leader of training for the FDD and became a feared household name in Burundi, especially within the Army.

Colonel Deo Ntiyankundiye, the current Chief of Operations for the National Police Force of Burundi, grew up in a wealthy Tutsi family. The Tutsi government of the day unjustly imprisoned Deo’s father, accusing him of corruption. Anger and bitterness motivated Deo to join the Army, in hopes that he could one day overthrow the Burundian president to avenge his father’s unfair treatment. His military abilities led to his elevation to a high position as an Army officer where he was soon positioned to avenge his father. Deo actively started to gather support from fellow soldiers against the president.

After years of fighting against one another and seeking to avenge wrongs done to them, both Deo and Antoine were transformed through an encounter with Jesus Christ and came to be reconciled with one another in AE's Reconciliation and Trauma Healing workshop. Today, having grasped the implications of their faith, not only have they been healed from bitterness by forgiving one other and others who caused them pain, they now work together in ministry and help lead AE's Reconciliation workshops in Burundi.

Over the course of this year and beyond, Antoine will join a team that will develop AE's Reconciliation and Trauma Healing work in the neighboring and troubled Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The Eastern DRC has suffered for many years the consequences of a complex and longstanding conflict similar to the one in Burundi and Rwanda between Hutu and Tutsi. Peace in this region is long overdue.

An African proverb states that "Empty bellies have no ears." When seeking to share the Gospel with hurting and hungry people across Africa, AE has often found that those who are suffering, whether from hunger, disease, bitterness or hopelessness, are not able to receive Christ's good news until some of their felt needs are met first. When they've finally eaten a few good meals, have received some medical attention or have had their inner wounds healed, they can arrive at a place where they are ready to hear and accept God's love for them. Not only that, but assisting suffering people is just one more way AE can demonstrate Jesus' love for them. For these reasons, AE has engaged in dozens of programs around Africa which aim to present the Gospel through efforts that alleviate suffering and hopelessness.