I have the enormous privilege of being out in Rwanda with Comfort International. Comfort International is a developmental charity, whose focus is to help rebuild lives of those affected by poverty, conflict and genocide. I am out visiting some of their partner projects, to support their work, and to meet some of the people involved.
As a country, Rwanda has had a difficult history after the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994, when almost a million died in 100 days of violence. If you want to read more about what happened, two books give some insights into it. One is the book by Philip Gourevitch ‘We wish to inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families’ and the ‘Shake hands with the devil’ by Romeo Dallaire, a Lieutenant General of the Canadian forces present in Rwanda in 1994. These are very painful and difficult reads, but they tell the story of what happened in more detail. The most awful thing is that a nunber of people are of the opinion that the genocide could have been prevented, if the 1993 Arusha peace agreements had been enforced.
A new government has tried to bring stability to the country, but the wounds run deep. Comfort International was founded in 1999, and started to work with partners to support some of those worst affected, orphans, families and genocide survivors. It has now expanded its work to neighbouring countries like Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Uganda.
There is too much to put into a blog, but I am part of a team visiting Comfort Babies, working with young families. It was such a privilege to meet some of the young mums and their families, and to hear their stories.
We also went to one of the Street Children projects, working with children who were often abandoned by their parents, and who were living in the nearby rubbish dumps. The testimonies of these children, of what had happened to them, and the support given to them by the project were deeply moving. Some of them were so young, but had already seen so much in their short lives. We pray for them, to be able to find the support they need.
We have also visited a Genocide Survivors group, who spoke about their experiences 32 years ago. One man lost his sight, another experienced the deaths of 10 relatives, and the stories of the women are equally harrowing. For some people they found relief in telling their stories, just knowing that they were heard. For others, God had brought healing and helped them find a new way forward, and they were thankful.
It is hard to know how to respond to such tragic stories of violence, trauma and inhumanity. As a start, maybe just holding the space to hear their stories, to weep with them, to pray and to seek to build community and trust is all we can do.
Gracious God, we are heartbroken by stories of violence and brutality, with devastating consequences for communities and across generations. Lord God soften our hearts that we might listen attentively, and respond with compassion and prayer. Lord Jesus Christ, you spent time with those you met on the road, you healed the sick, you listened and loved. Thank you for showing us the value of each human life, and the need to treat all with dignity and respect. In places where there has been wounding and brokeness bring healing and restoration. Holy spirit, help us to be challenged to respond, to pray, to give and to take action, to seek to prevent hatred and violence from prevailing. In the conflict between good and evil, may the cross remind us that love prevails over hatred, and light over darkness, and so may we recommit ourselves to work for all that is good. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
An umbrella of healing love 