Rwanda Challenge
  • About Us
    • The Core
    • The Context
    • The Call
    • The Challenge
    • The Potential
    • The Team
  • Partner with Us
    • MACU-Rwanda Campus
    • RC - Emergency Fund
    • Support a Student
    • Reopen Churches
    • Kinyarwanda Study Bible
    • Microfinance Ministry
  • Contact Us
  • Recommended Resources
  • Calendar
  • Newsletters
  • Videos
  • Blog

Nyamata Memorial

2/19/2012

4 Comments

 
God’s Love in a World of Evil

I was able to interview five pastors on Friday. It was inspiring and somewhat overwhelming to hear about their troubles, but also the hope that carries them forward. Who would have thought that I would get the privilege to talk with these men who lived through the genocide?

Today we went to the Nyamata Memorial; a church where 2,000 people were killed inside, 8,000 outside, and 40,000 were buried in mass graves. The benches in the church were stacked with the clothing of those that died inside the building. Skulls and bones were displayed. You could see the bullet holes, machete slashes, and chunks of bone missing from the use of clubs. Blood was still visible on the ceiling, on the altar, and on the wall. A pastor that lives nearby came with us to tell his story. He sent his wife and 4 children to the church for safety. He was unable to get past the killers to be with them so he fled to the forest. His family was killed.

What words can be said? How can we understand the nightmare that occurred? I can picture bodies lying in the streets, in the trenches, and in the river. Complete hell. But my new friends, the pastors I have met this week, they see how God has blessed them. They look into the future. They have hope in Jesus. The genocide has affected them deeply, but it has not paralyzed them. God is using them as a literal example of love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

I am humbled to share in their lives.

Rebekah

Picture
Nyamata Memorial
4 Comments
matt.woodrow@sau15.net link
2/18/2012 09:28:55 pm

Rebekah, thank you for sharing this reminder that hope is living. I am going to share this tonight with our church community.

Reply
https://www.bestcustomessay.org/custom-essay-order/ link
1/1/2021 02:26:00 am

Perhaps one of the cruelest things to ever exist in the world is genocide. Millions of people were targeted and became victims of genocide. I will probably never understand the logic behind evil people who perform genocide. I find it hard to believe and to accept that there are people in the world who exist solely for the purpose of killing others. It makes my blood boil just thinking of all the victims who suffered from the hands of these evil people.

Reply
Brad G
2/18/2012 09:59:19 pm

RR - We are humbled by your heart and compassion. Thank you for the reminder of this tragedy that we must never forget. But thank you also for reminding us that God is always there - especially when we need him most. With Jesus we always have hope.

Reply
Myra Reynolds link
2/19/2012 04:38:51 am

Rebekah,
I always think of Charles when I think of Nyamata. This memorial was the most moving for me. I know God can and is bringing healing to the Rwandan people and in turn teaching us life lessons that we need here in our part of the world. I am so thankful you are there with your father. What an encouragement to him and to me. Knowing our children are all so supportive of Rwanda Challenge is such a blessing.. love and miss you

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    June 2022
    May 2022
    November 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    May 2019
    September 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    January 2016
    September 2015
    August 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    September 2014
    August 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    April 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly