Rwanda

In 2014, I had the absolute privilege of going on a mission trip to Rwanda. I knew absolutely nothing about Rwanda at all, but I was excited to go to Africa.

Rwanda is truly a beautiful country. It is known as the land of 1000 hills. Beautiful green hills from the north to the south. Stunningly beautiful! We flew into Kigali, which is the capital city. My first impression was the cleanliness of the streets. People are employed there to continually sweep the streets with brooms and all plastic is banned throughout the whole country.

I had never heard of the 1994 genocide. It escaped my attention in the media at that time and it was news to me 20 years on. I learnt that during the Rwandan Civil War, from the 7th April to 19th July 1994, a period of over 100 days, about 650,000 people were slaughtered. This wasn’t what normally comes to mind when you think of this kind of war atrocity. This was neighbour against neighbour and friend against friend.

The Rwandan genocide is also known as the genocide against the Tutsi. One group of people, the Hutus, turned on their friends the Tutsis and started a dreadful genocide. The Hutus and Tutsis were friends who had eaten at each other’s homes, minded each other’s children, and grown up together. Dreadful weapons of death were used, axes, machetes and all kinds of tools. Today, within Rwanda there are various memorials and museums which are hard to look at. There are still piles of bloody clothes, and many, many, many bones. Tiny baby skulls with huge splits from an axe, severed limbs, all in the name of ethnic cleansing.

My point, however, is not to dwell on the horror of what happened, but what has happened within the country since. We spoke with one of the workers at the hostel where we were staying in Kigali. This worker spoke of how her Hutu neighbour had come into their house and killed her whole family, yet she has forgiven him. Completely. This incredible act of forgiveness was a common story repeated all over the country. Wherever we went we heard stories of forgiveness that can only have come from the heart of God. With tears, many people told us of losing family members yet having the strength to forgive those who committed these terrible crimes.

God has done a wonderful work among the beautiful people of this beautiful country. Praise Him!!!

Ruth

Dear Ruth,

Thanks so much for sharing your story.

 I was so blessed and amazed by your story. Your experience in Rwanda validated the remarkable stories I had read in a book called "Beauty for Ashes” by Alphonsine Anderson. In her book Aphonshine recounts her frightful experience during the Rwanda genocide whilst also highlighting the same transformation in people where Christ Jesus brought them out of darkness and into his great light. A hope beyond imagination.

Thank you once again Ruth for your testimony. A real Teacup Story of encouragement and hope.

If anyone is interested in reading more about Alphonsine’s story a brief account is located here.

Ann