What's a Life Worth

Sara and I finally watched the movie Hotel Rwanda the other night with some friends. We had avoided watching it to this point fearing its unsettling content. For those who don't know about the movie it is an unbelievable depiction of a sickening and tragic event in our world's history. Here's a synopsis of the film:

Don Cheadle gives "the performance of a lifetime" (Los Angeles Times) in this "remarkable" (Newsweek) and "inspiring" (Chicago Tribune) true story of one man's brave stance against savagery during the 1994 Rwandan conflict. Co-starring Sophie Okonedo, Nick Nolte and Joaquin Phoenix, Hotel Rwanda is "the kind of film that can change the world" (Joel Siegel, "Good Morning America").

As his country descends into madness, five-star hotel manager Paul Rusesabagina (Cheadle) sets out to save his family. But when he sees that the world will not intervene in the massacre of minority Tutsis, he finds the courage to open his hotel to over 1,200 refugees. Now, with a rabid militia at the gates, he has only his wits and words to help keep them alive another hour, another day.

Even more disturbing than the gruesomeness of the event itself was the aspect that the world knew what was going on and chose to ignore it. The value of life was determined before it was ever lost and the response was that it wasn't worth the effort. Who are we to determine how much a life is or is not worth? This is a movie and a story we all need to be aware of.

In class at church the next morning we experienced a real life story of someone similar to that of Rwanda. A woman from Liberia shared her testimony as a believer and a refugee caught in the middle of a war in 1990. It was a powerful story of hope and faith in the midst of intense savagery and persecution. Her father was a minister and one of few Christians in a Muslim community hated for his beliefs. However, his home became known as a house of hospitality for all people, important military and government officials included. Even though they hated his family they wouldn't turn down their hospitality and a good meal. He continued to tell his family to love these people despite the hate for their Christian beliefs. When the war began this man's family was on the list to be executed for their convictions. Before they were murdered, an official came up to the house and proclaimed to the soldiers not to kill this man and his family because of their kindness and hospitality. He said, "they paid for my schooling when I was poor and could not afford it and their home is our home." Because of his intervention the soldiers spared their lives and left.

I can't imagine what life is like for people in these places because I know I have never experienced persecution like they have. It is people like the hotel manager and this woman from Liberia that shame me for my lack of courage in much less life-threatening situations. They have lived at the doorstep of death and chosen courage over fear and hope over despair. They, more than I, understand the confusing message in Scripture that there is joy in suffering. Who are we to determine what life is worth...for it is people such as these that remind us that life is...priceless!

May our eyes be open to those around us and may we see and experience life through His eyes!