Thoughts on Rwanda

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow

Because He lives, all fear is gone

Because I know He holds the future

And life is worth the living, just because He lives

As we sing this song in a church in Kigali, my eyes fill with tears and my heart with compassion for the people of Rwanda. Because for them, these words actually carry a lot of weight.

It is hard to think that exactly 22 years ago the streets we are walking at the moment were filled with blood and dead bodies. That there was no security whatsoever and that everyone was filled fear.

In April 1994 Rwanda experienced one of the most dehumanizing acts of violence that we in the modern world have experienced. In 100 days, somewhere between 800,000 and 1,000,000 Rwandans were killed with machetes, clubs, and rifles and many more were left scarred, raped, abused, and alone, as the violence left individuals, many of whom were children, without their loved ones. The destruction and devastation that occurred during those 100 days in 1994 were so extreme that it is difficult for those of us who haven’t experienced such manifest evil, myself included, to imagine the reality of such atrocities.

Now, 22 years later, there is no division between people groups. You can go for a jog at midnight alone without even thinking twice. People leave their doors unlocked. Buses and taxis are not overloaded and only carry the recommended amount of passengers. The streets are cleaner than any street in Africa. The people themselves are friendly and peaceful...

This blows my mind and is a miracle from the Lord that is above my comprehension.

Even though there has been reconciliation, there is still sadness in the air. I walk in the streets of Kigali and with every person I see, I wonder how they were impacted by the genocide of 1994. I see people with crutches and wonder if the injuries were caused by a machete. I see young adults and wonder if they have been left orphaned by the genocide. I see old people and wonder how many of their children had died. There is not a single person living in Rwanda that does not bear a scar from the genocide. Whether emotional or physical.

But then the tune comes to my mind again:

Because He lives, they can face tomorrow

Because He lives all fear is gone

Thank you Jesus for Rwanda. Thank you Lord for reconciliation that we cannot comprehend. Thank you for healing this country. Thank you for blowing our minds with your love day after day after day.

 

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