Spared

Clementine Msengi has written a compelling autobiography that held my attention throughout. As a survivor of the Rwanda genocide (1994), she describes the ordeal—many ordeals—with descriptions of events one can only imagine. And imagine I did as she narrates:
“I need to be relocated, but we couldn’t think of a way to leave the premises without being spotted — and killed” (p.109).

Rwanda, a land-locked country located within east-central Africa, is known as the “land of a thousand hills.” It is in the heart of Africa, just as Msengi’s book will tug at your heart. The genocide occurred within three brief months as tensions increased between the Hutu and the Tutsi tribes. The details are specified in the beginning of the book with just the right amount of history and sensory images explaining how such a slaughter occurred. Eight hundred thousand civilians, primarily Tutsi, were barbarically murdered. Hutus that were designated as moderate were also killed.

Msengi is miraculously spared from death more than once. The appropriate book title, Spared, reminds the reader throughout of God’s grace, deliverance, and answered prayers. Her true detailed narration is written as if Clementine is sharing coffee and her testimony with the reader. “This memoir is a story of my escape—not only from those who wanted to kill my body, but also from those who wished to destroy my spirit” (p.6). The author’s convicted Christian beliefs and her knowledge of Scriptures sustain and support her throughout the horrendous genocide, the deaths of her parents and family members, and the realization that neighbors and even Bible study peers would murder one another.

Each chapter begins with an appropriate quote that sets the tone and highlights the theme of the pages to follow. For example, Proverbs 16:9, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps,” begins the chapter detailing her departing from the family home, unaware that she would never see her parents again. “But, before I had traveled half the distance, two muscular men spotted me and blocked my path. I was shocked, because both were neighbors who our family considered friends” (p. 100).

The seeking of education is a thread throughout the story, unraveling with each achievement of Msengi. Although deceased, her parents’ expectations and influence become the prime motivation and framework that continue to guide Msengi as she earns her doctorate in education.

It is with great joy that I requested this book. As a Peace Corps volunteer in Rwanda (2014), I became acquainted with teaching colleagues who had experienced the genocide as children. Traveling to numerous memorials in Rwanda, including the Kilgali Genocide Memorial, is to experience the unbelievable massacre and its effects on this current generation of people. The element of forgiveness is unbelievable as I listened to Tutsis speak of their loss and their capacity to recover.

Dr. Msengi’s sharing of survival and resilience among the darkest of times for Rwanda is eloquent and inspirational. Her beliefs and her Christian upbringing continue in her life today. I can only hope to meet this woman of strength and courage here in Texas where she resides with her family. Her words, “You matter. You’re here for a purpose. Stretch your potential” (p. 339), reveal the magnitude of her compassion and encouragement for people, all people.

Spared is a very motivating must read for historical knowledge, experiencing in detail one’s faith from a child onward, and the results of incredible resilience.