April 12, 2008
Today is my youngest brother, Victor’s birthday. He is 38 years old. Never mind my age, let’s just say I am a bit older. I write to you from my home in Mobile, Alabama. It is early morning, still quite dark outside. The house is clean and neat. Sharon and the children are in bed and there are lovely reminders of my trip to Rwanda on the coffee table, the mantle and on the nearby breakfast table. Our plan was to leave Rwanda tonight at 8:00 PM. However, as you may know by now, Mark and I arrived in the US on Wednesday evening so that I could attend the Visitation and the Funeral for my beloved grandmother. She died on April 4th after a courageous battle in hospital at the age of 92. As I shared in the eulogy at the funeral, she was a woman who lived well, loved much and gave all. She was our rock, our joy, and our home. Praise be to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that she is now healthy and free enjoying that heavenly kingdom prepared by the One who loved her so.
Dear reader, I realize that I have left you hanging for some time now as to our efforts in Rwanda. Following the Sunday of the Rick Warren Crusade, we concentrated our efforts on returning to Hope Village and Maranyundo Parish to interview the individuals participating in our study. Due to the number to be interviewed, we spent two days at each of the sites. The first day at Maranyundo I interviewed 18 people—one by one with the help of my colleague Rev. Ntaganda. I have to tell you the day was exhausting. Each man and woman there told me of unspeakable acts that were committed against their spouses, children, parents, and friends, often by people they knew very well. These men and women in some cases had walked six hours to meet with us that day. Of course, they then had to walk six hours back home. One woman shared that she had taken a bicycle. However, this trip took six hours as well. The people I met were bright, hard working men and women doing their best to survive in very difficult circumstances. They wanted the same things as Americans—safety, security, and a better life for their children. Hope sprang eternal from their hearts. Most of these men and many of these women were leaders in their churches. They shared with me their commitment to share Jesus, even with their enemies. They prayed for their enemies and looked for opportunities to show Christ’s love to those in need.
One lady that I will call Joan told us that she had lost three of her children and her husband in the genocide. Another woman in Joan’s village poisoned Joan and all of her family. The poison claimed her husband and three of her children, however, Joan and her other two children survived. In addition to these losses, Joan also lost her mother in the genocide. Unbelievably, Joan’s father later married the woman who poisoned Joan’s family! According to Joan, it is common knowledge in the village that this woman killed her husband and children, yet her father married her! Now Joan must see this woman on a regular basis. The woman, however, avoids Joan at all costs. Joan has struggled with loving the woman as one may only imagine. The desire of Joan’s heart is to love the woman who killed her husband and her children. Pray for Joan.