Celebrating Brokenness by Louise Akimpaye
Translated into English by Christelle Dufitumukiza
How do I even talk about brokenness without first mentioning the Master of Brokenness? His whole life was marked by it—this is Jesus. In Kinyarwanda, the word for brokenness is “gushenjagurwa.” It means more than just being broken; it means being shattered, beyond repair, like a clay pot smashed into pieces so small they can’t be repaired. What a scary thought. How can brokenness even be celebrated? Yet, in the Bible, we find that those whom God loves, He often breaks. And this is where my reflection began: on Jesus, the perfect example of brokenness.
THE BROKENNESS OF CHRIST
When did Jesus begin to be broken? Many might point to the cross, but as I reflected, I realized His brokenness began long before that. His very decision to leave His glory in heaven and come to earth as a man, clothed in flesh like sinful humanity, was an act of brokenness. He was born in poverty, lived in a world of sinners, went days without eating, and was eventually hated, betrayed, and crucified for the sins of the world. His whole life was marked by sacrifice, and yet, this brokenness was chosen out of love for the people He came to save.
Jesus chose to be broken because He knew the greater joy that would follow—the reconciliation of humanity with God. This made me rethink brokenness. Could it be true that brokenness is something to be celebrated? Can it be a choice, as Jesus chose it for us?
MY OWN STORY OF BROKENNESS
As I reflected on Jesus’ brokenness, I couldn’t help but look back at my own life. Was I ever broken? Did I ever choose it like my Savior did? The answer was both yes and no. I lost my father during the 1994 Genocide in Rwanda. My mother eventually remarried, but I grew up in a home where I faced the challenges of being raised by a single parent. I was bitter about not receiving an education, for raising my younger siblings, and for being married off as a teenager because I was pregnant. My life felt shattered, not by choice, but by circumstance.
For a long time, I thought dying would be easier than living with the pain. I couldn’t love anyone except my boys and immediate family. But one day, as a young mother, I encountered Christ. I learned about Jesus weeping at the death of Lazarus, and for the first time, I understood that Jesus shares in our brokenness. He weeps with us in our pain. This realization changed me. Jesus not only forgives our sins, but He also walks with us through our deepest pain.
WALKING IN BROKENNESS WITH OTHERS
When I joined Word Made Flesh Rwanda, I already knew a little about Jesus, but my understanding of brokenness continued to grow. I began to see that I was not the only one with a painful story. Many of the women in our community have suffered more than I could imagine—women who grew up without parents, who faced extreme poverty, abuse, illness, and hopelessness. We often ask, “Why does God allow such suffering if He is a loving God?” The Bible teaches us that brokenness entered the world because of sin, but it also points us to Jesus, the Savior who was broken to restore us.
As an intern at Word Made Flesh Rwanda, I have learned that brokenness allows us to resonate with the people we serve. Like Jesus, who came to share in our humanity, we must also share in the brokenness of others. I remember sitting with a woman for two hours, listening to her story, and feeling like my heart would burst from the weight of her pain. There was nothing I could do but point her to Jesus, the one who was broken for all of us.
THE POWER OF BROKENNESS IN SERVICE
It is only when we are broken we can truly serve others. In communities like ours, where so many are suffering, it takes a heart that has experienced brokenness to empathize and love deeply. What can you say to a woman who is contemplating suicide, or to one who is abused by her husband, or whose children are not in school? These are heavy, heartbreaking situations, but in them, we can offer the hope of Jesus, who understands their pain because He, too, was broken. The Gospel of the cross is central to our work at Word Made Flesh Rwanda. We proclaim it not only through Bible studies but also through our friendships with those we serve.
We walk alongside them, not as outsiders, but as people who understand what it means to be broken.
THE BLESSING OF BROKENNESS
One of the greatest blessings of brokenness is that it leads us to salvation. Matthew 11:28 reminds us to come to Jesus when we are weary and burdened, and He will give us rest.
Brokenness humbles us, making us aware of our need for a Savior. It also reminds us that all the pain in the world stems from the broken relationship between humanity and God, and only Jesus can heal that.
I encourage you to remember that Christ is the Master of Brokenness. If we are not broken, we may not share in His glory. Brokenness is not something to fear; it is the way of the Lord. Just as God used the brokenness of His Son, He can use our brokenness to bring about His purposes.
Let us choose brokenness, for in it, we find the path to healing, redemption, and the fullness of life in Christ.
About the Author – Louise Akimpaye, Social Work Staff in WMF Rwanda
Louise Akimpaye is a devoted wife and mother of three boys, deeply committed to her family. She serves as a Social Work Sta Member with Word Made Flesh Rwanda, where she walks alongside women and families experiencing deep hardship, sharing with them the hope and love of Christ. A survivor of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, Louise draws from her own journey of pain and healing to serve others with profound empathy and compassion.
Her journey with Word Made Flesh began as a participant in the programs, then later as an artisan with Kundwa Collective. Along the way, she consistently demonstrated strong leadership, a heart of compassion for her fellow artisans, and a deep love for serving Christ.
Louise believes that none of this has been by accident, but rather a reflection of God’s purpose—preparing her long ago to serve Him through this meaningful work.