Book Review: Frederick by Frederick Ndabaramiye

Frederick: A Story of Boundless Hope
By Frederick Ndabaramiye, with Amy Parker
“My God won’t let me do that.”

These seven words of boundless hope would irreversibly change the life of the teenage boy who spoke them.

On April 7, 1994 the life of Frederick Ndabaramiye and his family changed forever as the Rwandan genocide erupted in their homeland. This is his story of Hope and faith in a God that can make all things possible. Frederick writes about how his family had to flee the tyranny and how eventually he was captured and tied to a board as vigilantes cut his hands off. His journey of learning after that is what most of the story is about. We see him learn how to deal with the pain, anger and feeling of uselessness as God intervenes ands orchestrates his future.

Eventually Frederick learns that he has the gift of painting. As he paints God begins to heal him from the inside out. I don’t want to share too much of the story because the book is very short and is an important read. Most of us in America never have to experience persecution beyond somebody making fun of us. To watch this man experience the things he did and then to see the joy that exudes form his is mind-blowing. You will learn and appreciate forgiveness, but even more importantly you will walk away knowing that God takes what is broken and He makes all things new.

I think this is a well written book. It is more than a feel good story. It is a story that challenges you to have Joy in your life and evaluate your own priorities.

5 out of 5 Stars

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this BOOK free from booklookbloggers for books to review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”