So yesterday was the 16th anniversary to the start of the most effective massacre in history. Killing over a million people in one month with machetes and blunt objects is no small feat. This was raw and the country is still feeling it today. The mood is a combination of both somber and downright scared right now. People live with what they experienced every day but it really comes through this week. Sometimes people will let you into their brain and you can see them recite a far land and a different time filled with unfathomable horrors of killed family members and turbulent travel. Its become real for me. Because the people who share are those who I have gotten close with, who I have taken lunch with everyday for the last couple of months. I never ask people to share but I can see its sometimes therapeutic for them. I never know how to react though. I cannot relate in any way and it’s hard for me to keep my mouth from flying open or tears to start falling.
Considering the damage done, the country is doing great. This week has been interesting. Each community has many communities meeting to laugh, cry, remember and make sure genocide doesn’t happen again. In the rural area I’m at, it’s discouraged for outsiders to come and I don’t blame them. Many people are still dealing with many things and it could be weird with me sitting in on the healing process because it is very alive.
There is a sharp contrast from those who have moved forward and those who have not. Apparently at this time, there are many reprisal killings so people are scared. I have heard of entire villages covering up killings. So there is still some hate around. There is also a ton of reconciliation too. Rwanda did release 40,000 killers back onto the streets and when you run across someone who has reconciled and is now helping. It really is a beautiful sign of the kingdom to come.
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