Rwanda

Kigali streets are characterised by an endless number of motorbikes as the main form of public transport, modern buildings, projects on every corner, and a coffee shop stationed every few metres. One can never stand on the grounds of this beautiful country without acknowledging the restorative and redemptive power of God…

Rwanda impacted our team way more than any of us could’ve anticipated. We were thoroughly challenged by what we saw at the genocide memorial and by all the stories we heard but we were also encouraged by the hopeful state that the country finds itself in today.

Here’s what Azelle had to say about our time in Rwanda:

“Rwanda is a symbol of hope. Walking through the streets of Kigali you would never say that only 28 years ago hundreds and thousands of people have died during the genocide. One thing that impacted me the most during our time here was our visit to the Genocide memorial, I had never seen something that cruel, or seen so much pain – it made me sick to my stomach.

But then I read on, and I read about the redemption, the restoration and the forgiveness. After witnessing this no one can tell me there is no God! It is physically impossible for a country to go from being dead to being born again in forgiveness, love and unity in just 28 years without a God.

It was beautiful to see God’s hand in it all and discover how He restores and loves! His beauty is so evident in this country. Rwanda stole my heart!”
– Azelle Geldenhuys

After spending some time in Kigali and getting to know our host, who is the founder of Trinitas Community Organisation, we headed off as a team and a few members of the organisation to a village that is approximately 2 hours away from Kigali.

There we got to visit a number of the local schools and we were privileged enough to dance, sing and share the gospel with them. The hot weather and the long walks became strenuous but it all felt worth it as all the village kids accompanied us wherever we went with wide smiles on their faces. After 4 days in the village, we left with our hearts filled.

Marko Prinsloo wrote the following about his experience at the genocide memorial:

“The genocide memorial was definitely unlike anything I had ever experienced before. I could have honestly gone without seeing it, but I was very interested to hear about what really happened during the 1994 genocide.

It was so much worse and so much more violent and brutal than I had imagined. The memorial in itself is one mass grave that holds the bones, memories, stories and pain of over 250 000 people.

Everything about what happened not so long ago made my innermost being twist and turn. I was definitely very challenged by what I saw and heard. The more I saw, the angrier I became at the people who did this. In my heart, I started killing them to avenge the innocent lives they took. I very quickly realised that just having these thoughts is murder.

On the way back home to our hosts, the car ride was almost completely silent. In the quiet, I repented and wondered how something so savage and ungodly could have happened.

Later, in my quiet time, during worship and the day to day activities; God began revealing Himself to me as the Almighty, the Creator and as the God of His people.

He is the God that tasked His Son to take up the sins of the world. Out of love He sent His only Son to die for all our sins; including the people who committed murder or were killed in this horrible genocide. Jesus was the one that took their sin and paid the full price for it.

I am learning that God is a God of love, justice and many mysteries. Many of which we will never fully grasp or understand. Now, when I see the gruesome and horrific acts of sinful human nature, God’s heart is revealed to me: I see how His heart breaks for His people. I am also learning that He is Supreme – above it all.”
– Marko Prinsloo

Although we are sad to leave Rwanda, we celebrate the work that God has done in our lives and this beautiful country. Our hearts are joyfully expectant for what he is still going to do here. 

Pray with us:

Join us as we pray for our host Bosco, his family and his organisation. We pray for the Lord’s blessing over them and the work they do.
We are trusting the Lord to unite them in love and lavishly provide wisdom and resources for their upcoming expansion project – which they are still raising funds for.
The expansion project includes: building a school, a hostel, a clinic, and a coffee shop for their community.