Rwandan reflections from those who know

The genocide was a time of desperate darkness, where even faith leaders could kill their church members, and church members [were] killing their fathers in [the] faith. However, the same churches that were involved in the genocide, of course with new leaders, they were the same congregations to build toward reconciliation.

Believers are learning that if people are not very awake and prepared to walk as Christians every day, you can fail. So we need to be deep in our faith, not just religious people.

The bottom line is that there is no healing without forgiveness. You cannot completely get healed and forget as if nothing has happened, but with forgiveness you are able to control your pain and anger, and you are able to live positively with the people who have hurt you.” —Ananias Sentoz

Integrated programs director, World Vision Rwanda

The great thing is that Rwandans who grew up in exile came [back after the genocide] to plant evangelical churches with a really good heart to point people to Jesus for healing and forgiveness. Twenty-five years later it is pretty impressive where this country is at. I really didn’t understand what forgiveness was until I came to Rwanda. You hear different stories of reconciliation that are unbelievable between people.

Yet, to this day, the churches are very separated and segregated. There is a scarcity mentality. There is still an underlying “Do I really trust you? And do I really trust God for who He says He is?” The movement I see is among young people 35 and under.” —Jennifer Kamari

Canadian missionary, married to a Rwandan – both serving with Mission Service Connections

Rwanda could be a beacon of hope. It’s not there yet, but it could be. Twenty-five years ago it absolutely showed us what evil looks like when good people do nothing. Since then there have been a lot of good people trying to do something. It is not perfect. There are many things that are still problematic, but it is a country that is trying to be different. That is something we can all learn from.

One of the biggest lessons is that you must have a good education system that teaches justice. The education system was one of the major purveyors of genocidal ideology. Ethnic division was very much a part of the school system. One of the things we realized quite quickly was that the education system can also be a major place for change. We are really focused on seeing a new generation of leaders emerging from the school system who fully believe that everybody should have the same justice and worth applied to them that Jesus applies to us.” – Andy Harrington

CEO, The Wellspring Foundation for Education