Emmanuel is a 22-year-old man who makes a living by selling shoes on the streets, which is not legal in Rwanda. Emmanuel had a very rough upbringing – he never met his father, his mother died when he was six years old, and he was raised by his grandmother. He told Parfait that no one in his home liked him. He worked hard in the agriculture fields as a child and was able to only finish elementary school. When he turned sixteen, he came to Kigali, the capital city, six hours away from his home. When Parfait met him, he was trying to sell him some shoes. Parfait asked him if anyone had ever told him that Jesus loves him. He replied no, that he hated everyone and everything, except he did care about the children that beg on the streets. Parfait asked if he hated him too and he replied that he simply didn’t care about him.
Every time he is caught by the police for selling shoes, Emmanuel goes to jail. He must pay fines, loses all his benefits, and has to start all over again when he is released. He said he doesn’t talk to anyone and no one talks to him; that everybody thinks he is a mean person. Parfait shared the Gospel with Emmanuel and, surprisingly, he made the decision to receive Jesus as His Lord and Savior. He asked Parfait if he thought God could change the story of His life, and Parfait gave him a resounding, "Yes!" Emmanuel and Parfait crossed paths again recently, and though he is still selling shoes, his countenance has changed, he smiled a couple times, and said he has been praying and going to a church. He had many questions about the Bible and thanked Parfait for being interested in his life. He is hungry for the things of God and is believing that one day he can have enough money ($1,000) to start his own business selling clothes. Please join us in agreement that day by day, God's wonderful plan is unfolding, rewriting the story of Emmanuel's life.