Monday, January 15, 2007

Kibuye town of horror

After our meeting with the mayor of Kibuye we drove around checking out land for our orphan project. As we drove we saw her; this beautiful church partially hiding behind old trees, yet standing tall on the mountain. How could we not stop. We had read the testimonies of survivors, heard about the horror. People ran into this church thinking to be save, only to be brutaly murdered. Women, men, children alike, no-one was to be spared, yet few survived hiding under their dead friends and families bodies.As soon as I stepped foot on the compound a heaviness fell on me. I felt as in a daze. I wonder if I noticibly stumbled or looked drunk while walking, I had a hard time keeping balance and thinking straight. I stared at the paintings on the walls, the same paintings many stard at while in fear for their live. Wondering how so many could have been killed in this church my immagination took over seeing bodies piled on top on eachother. My stomach turned, I felt like crying. I turned to Travis hoping he would somehow wake me out of these visions, his expression showed what I was feeling. We left the church in a deep silence, stumbeling our way to the car.
So many murders back then, so many wounds now. The impact of such an event in the community, in the life of precious people. Kibuye was hit the hardest during genocide and is known today for it's highest ranking orphan population in Rwanda.
Today has been an eyeopener to me as to why God chose Kibuye for SoZo Ministries Africa. Wow, I am appaled, overwhelmed. Sadened yet delighted. Fearful yet trusting God. Kibuye will one day be my hometown, I hope it to be soon. From trauma to freedom... God did it for me, He will do it for the people in Kibuye.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow. I cannot imagine how this must have stirred you. I recently saw the movie about the genocide in Rwanda and my heart ached knowing that this was not a movie for entertainment, but a reality for thousands. May the Lord continue the work He has already begun in rebuilding and restorin hope to Rwanda. Thank you for obeying God's call to go there and love on the thousands who have lost so much.

Anonymous said...

hier word je stil van, ik zie uit naar wat God gaat doen!

Fencemender said...

Definitely, without having been there, one cannot grasp the impact. When I went to Dachau(sp?)the horror/nausea/heaviness/dizziness stayed with me for days, and even now the memory is triggered by your experience. The blood of Christ can redeem this - it is not too big for Him!

Anonymous said...

As,

Echt heel indrukwekkend...

Liefs Wen