We've had a couple of very rich days of ministry here in Rwanda. On Monday the team went to Bugasera, one of the villages of reconciliation where both victims and perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide now live together in reconciliation. We heard powerful testimonies from both those who lost family members and were attacked themselves, and from those who participated in the murders of the genocide. Rarely has the light of the gospel shined so brightly as in these people who are learning to forgive and live in peace together. This particular village was highlighted in the documentary As We Forgive, and we met many who were featured in the film (see below for a link to the movie trailer).
www.asweforgivemovie.com/trailer.htm
Tuesday morning the team was granted an audience with Bishop John Rucyahana, one of the key leaders responsible for the rebuilding of Rwanda. This proved to be a highlight for many of our team, as he shared his testimony of personal loss and his many efforts to heal his broken country. After lunch, the team toured the national genocide museum and memorial in downtown Kigali. We had just enough time after the museum to make an impromptu return visit to the Widow's Village where we sang and danced with the women and children into the night under the African stars. We've just returned to the hotel where the internet service has *finally* been restored. Team members are quickly trying to post photos to Facebook even as I'm writing this email.
Tomorrow morning we plan to visit the Village of Hope, built for the orphans of the genocide. We do have one team member who's cold seems to have developed into a respiratory infection and will be seeing a doctor tomorrow morning. This is an added precaution before we head into the remote region Akagera later tomorrow afternoon. Please be in prayer for her that she might heal very quickly. The rest of the team is doing very well, is healthy, and is getting a decent amount of sleep in between some emotionally demanding days.
Thank you everyone for your prayers and support throughout our trip!
The trailer is really powerful. I don't understand how to process the amount of grace needed to forgive those who murdered your loved ones. It's like, layers and layers of feelings that each need to be resolved and healed by Him, before getting there. It makes me miss Africa and the people as well. Much of this is almost too much, you know? To viscerally understand.
ReplyDeleteWe miss you and are praying for you. Finish strong and come home safe!!