Ahh, some free time to put thoughts and ideas together. Below is an explanation of the organizaton that I am travelling with. The website is www.amahoro-africa.org.
Amahoro is a word of traditional African origin meaning peace. Although used widely across Africa, it has particularly deep and significant meaning in places like Rwanda, Burundi, and Congo, where violence and genocide have inflicted unimaginable pain and suffering. When people from various tribes embrace, shake hands or kiss, "amahoro" is used as a greeting to express a deep hope for peace to come into their world. Too often in the colonial era, Christian missionaries in Africa spread a message of grace and forgiveness for life after death, but did not integrate that proclamation with the profound Biblical message of justice, peace, and reconciliation in this life on earth. Many spoke longingly of amahoro in the afterlife, but missed Jesus’ ultimate point: peace enters our story now, not just in the far-off future!
In recent years, innovative Christian leaders around the globe have been observing their world and reaching a similar conclusion: the modern colonial world is giving way to an emerging postmodern, postcolonial world. The methods, values, ideas, strengths, and weaknesses of modern Western Christianity have dominated for many centuries. One of the most damaging effects of modern Christianity has been the idea that we don’t need to learn from each other.
Many of us are realizing that a new day is here - a time for emerging leaders from South, North, East and West to learn and work together in unprecedented partnership and dialogue. Together we face a new world - full of new problems and still riddled with old conflicts, but primed for fresh vision, new questions and a season of true promise. We need to summon new ways of thinking, connecting and moving to forge ahead and ignite transformational change in our communities.
Around the world, a conversation has been growing among an emerging generation of young Christian leaders - often encouraged by thoughtful and forward-thinking older mentors. This conversation isn't just about exploring ideas; it is also about considering new frameworks, building relationships and creating networks. That's why Amahoro exists. We seek to encourage and facilitate a conversation and network of friendships among leaders engaging with the postcolonial African world in the name of Jesus.
OUR MISSION
At Amahoro, our overarching mission is to motivate and accompany the local church, both in its development as a community of the Kingdom of God and as an agent of transformation in its African context. We seek to walk together to prepare the way for the local church to be a manifestation of the glory of God through love and justice in our African societies.
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