Jess Komanapalli tells the remarkable story of Theo Mbazumutima in her new book
How did you come to meet Theo and discover his story?
My good friend Alison is a missionary in Burundi. She introduced me to Theo when he came to preach at her church and told me he had an amazing testimony and that I should hear it. I remember thinking ‘wow, that’s an incredible story!’
Theo’s story is set against the backdrop of the Burundian Civil War – is this essentially a book about historical events or does it have relevance to us today?
Without doubt, Theo’s story has relevance today. The war is just a backdrop for situations and criseswe all go through. This is a book about God’s love for all of his children. It’s a book about faith in trials, about the power and beauty in the acts of re-pentance and forgiveness, about God’s ability to rescue us from, and even use, our most difficult and painful experiences, and about the good purposes and plans God has for each one of our lives.
Anyone who reads Theo’s story will be amazed about the faithfulness of God – but what strikes you most about Theo and his story?
Theo has endured and experienced so many traumatic and unbelievable hardships, but he has emerged from it all with a strong faith and commitment to God, and with a desire to help transform the lives of other people. He was always adamant that he shouldn’t be made a hero in any way but was open about his failings and about the times when he was angry with God or doubted him. Instead, Theo always pointed to God as the hero in this story.
What do you hope readers will get out of reading My Country Wept?
I hope readers will be extremely encouraged in their faith. Deciding to serve God in India, away from my loved ones in the UK, and with no real plans ahead of us, was certainly a journey of faith for me and my husband. But when we have encountered difficult times or needed to believe in God for provision, Theo’s testimony has always come back to me. It’s helped me remember just how powerfully God can act on our behalf to intervene in any situation and to direct our paths. It’s helped me remember that God is able to answer our prayers in incredible ways and that he tru-ly has a good plan for each one of us, if we would just seek him and submit to his leading. I also hope it challenges those who are struggling with issues of forgiveness or repentance to allow God to do a work in their lives which will bear much fruit, just as Theo did.
An important work that should be read by everyone. When love overcomes the violence and hate of war, a story of redemption, salvation and hope remains.’
Scott Norling, International Consultant Asia Director, Joyce Meyer Ministries
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