Today marks the 17th anniversary of the beginning of the 1994 Rwanda genocide.
I wrote about the genocide when I began working as a staff writer for Samaritan’s Purse in October of ’94. I poured over photos. Talked to field personnel. I wrote to make sense of the madness. I wrote so others could make sense of it, too.
Then, last year, I traveled to Rwanda for the first time. There I met Florence. Lambert. Jeanne D’Arc. Odilo. Rose. Jennifer. Bibi. Richard. Andrew. And Sarah.
The first six are survivors. Each of them has a story and each story is heart-wrenching.
Bibi, Richard, Andrew, and Sarah were not yet born or are too young to remember.
And, yet, what they all have in common is hope. And a deep and abiding faith in God.
Rwanda is a beautiful country. Its people are strong and resilient. Despite the obstacles, and there are many, they are moving with confidence into the future.
Anne Frank once said, “I don’t think of all the misery but of the beauty that remains.”
And there is beauty in Rwanda. So much beauty.
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Reblogged this on laura whitfield and commented:
Today marks the 22nd anniversary of the Rwanda genocide. I am reposting this in honor of my Rwandan brothers and sisters who lost loved ones during this unimaginable massacre. Laura
What a human and moving experiment, Laura ! So important to remember for those who suffered this genocide and/ or lost member of families and friends !