God Brings a Healing Heart...

Sunday, March 29, 2009

We had our first week of classes this past week. I am taking two courses, a Social Context and Development class and a Peace Building course. I really enjoy my teachers. My Peace Building teacher is Rwandan and my Social Context professor is from the U.S. He has been in Rwanda numerous years as the country director. I am enjoying these classes and am learning so much about Rwanda’s history and development.

We had two field trips this past week to visit genocide memorials. On Monday, we visited a site that had 15 large burials plots….there were 75,000 victims at this memorial. Inside, we were able to see numerous pictures, informative side notes, and watched some videos of victims describing their experience. The first floor focused on Rwanda’s genocide, the 2nd on genocides that have occurred in other parts of the world, and 3rd floor was dedicated to all the children who were killed in genocide. I was only able to see the 1st floor and part of the 2nd because we ran out of time. There was so much to look at and read about…I learned a lot and am continuing to learn so much about Rwanda’s history.

On Thursday, we visited the church memorial. During the 1994 massacre, people fled to churches with the hope of escaping death. Unfortunately, those who fled to churches became genocide victims as well. In this church, 10,000 people died…only 2 children were found alive, they were buried beneath the many dead bodies. When I walked in the church, I saw the bullet holes in the doors and roof…old benches were piled high with clothing of the victims. Down below were skulls and jewelry of victims. We walked outside where large burial plots were built. Beneath the ground were more skulls, bones, and caskets filled with remains.

After visiting the memorials, I tried to place myself in the situation of the Tutsis and Hutus…I can not imagine. I interact with victims of the genocide every day and I sit and I walk on streets that were once filled with bloodshed. Rwanda has a sad history filled with much pain, but I am constantly amazed at the way in which God has brought peace to these people…I am living in a country that has been healed and is constantly healing. I recognize the damage of sin and see the need for forgiveness. I am inspired and hope to use this experience to change my life in the way that I act and show love to others. I pray and hope that God grants me peace in my heart to be a servant unto others, listen to His call for my life, and to live with forgiveness in my heart.