Today we attended the last day of a seven day Genocide Memorial. For seven days the country mourned the past and looked to the future with great hope. A few hundred people gathered in our local area called a "cell". We first met around the graves of a wealthy family killed in the 1994 Genocide. Family members and community members put flowers on their graves as prayers were said. We then walked to a nearby area next to the families' house. For the next 3.5 hours we heard stories from survivors. We heard of widows whose husbands and children were murdered while they watched. We heard from a community leader who spoke of the family whose land we were meeting. How the son of this family fought to save his family but was overwhelmed and killed himself. What we heard over and over again was that forgiveness was key. One widow said she was "free" to live because she had forgiven. Jesus was her husband now. She prayed that those who have killed would come clean and ask for forgiveness so the too could live "free". My emotions were raw today. I imagine it will take some time to reflect on everything that I experienced today. As I sat and listened to Emmy translate for us, I was again so grateful for Jesus and his grace. Certainly Jesus grace was sufficient!
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