Rwanda!
Ladies and gentlemen, we’re here! Alive and well. It truly has been amazing to emerge in the culture and living with our host family has brought so much insight. In the morning, we become teachers at an elementary school the pastor opened up for the community. I’ve had a blast in my element as a Pre-K teacher, with endless songs and hand motions. Of course, recess is wild but a ton of fun!
In the afternoon, we have lunch and a break (much needed after a morning with kiddos). Then, the fun begins!! We travel into the city or up a hill by the house to our local church. It’s been so fun hearing the church, even from a block down.
After learning about a dark period in the Rwandan history, losing so many of their people due to a genocide that striked across the country, I’m so inspired by their resilience. Here’s a snippet of their tragedy:
During the 1930’s-1950’s Belgium’s colonization created a division between the Rwandans; the Tutsi were made elites and the Hutus were 2nd class citizens. In 1932 during the colonial rule there was distinctions made from racial aspects. An identity card was introduced and at first it was based on anyone having over 10 cows was a Tutsi and anyone with less than that a Hutu. This distinction would now be applied to their descendants as well. Division became more apparent later into the 1930’s; the Belgians added physical features to the identity cards. They called Tutsis an ‘alien race’ and Hutus ‘indigenous’. It’s recorded that there was 15% Tutsi, 84% Hutu and 1% as Twa. During the 1959-1973, time frame, there was about 700,000 Tutsi that were exiled from Rwanda. It was considered an “ethnic cleansing” time frame that was encouraged by the Belgian.
On April 6, 1994 there was to be a cease-fire per a peace agreement that was to be signed, however, war broke out after the plane was shot down of President Juvenal Habyarimana. Hutus-extremist claimed the Tutsi rebels took it down but this was after they had signed a peace agreement with the President. It didn’t make sense. Tutsis blamed the Hutus-extremist did the attack so they could blame the Tutsis. The event served as a catalyst to the genocide that proceeded.
Anytime there is a genocide you can see a pattern of dehumanization occurring. Tutsis were no longer people, but instead were called “cockroaches” during the media attack from Hutu-extremist.
Genocide is defined by the following per the United Nations Convention of 1948:
Any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, such as:
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Killing members of the group
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Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group
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Deliberately inflicting conditions calculated to bring about its physical destruction
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Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group
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Forcibly transferring children of this group to another
Women were raped, mutilated and killed during this time in hopes to eliminate the Tutsis. UNICEF records, during 1994 show, 80% of children experienced death, 70% witness someone being killed or injured and 90% believe they would die. These traumatic events made children in need of post-trauma support: being in homes raised by children or living in homes that were to simulate family settings. Many were left orphans and scarred in more ways than just physical torture. In 3 months, over a million people died. The Tutsi Rebel army and the French came in to end the attacks.
Rwanda currently doesn’t “run” it’s country based on tribalism. However, our host told us that the people refer themselves as an “H” or “T”. Division is something that is present but not talked about. Whatever setting you may be in you can find a dominance of one or the other. It is still frowned upon to be with someone outside your class. Your family can refuse to visit you if you marry someone out of your tribe. Phrases like “did you forget what they did” or “they will kill you” are still mentioned within both tribes.
Where do you start in helping a country like this? It’s tough to preach a message of forgiveness. How can they be helped? We were given the chance on an off day to visit the genocide museum. The images I saw in the Kigali Genocide Memorial Center were impactful. I came out of there with my heart feeling heavy.
Being a part of their worship services has a take on a whole new meaning. Not only is it a ton of fun to dance full of joy before the Lord, but it brings on a new perspective to the Psalmist.
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
that I might sing praises to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
-Psalm 30: 11-12
Being able to participate during their worship services continues to inspire me to freely and boldly come before the Lord in adoration. Whether your worship is on your commute to work or part of Sunday morning service, be encouraged to come before the Lord in awe of his goodness. Know that your brothers and sisters in Rwanda are right along with you in spirit.
From one vulnerable heart to another,
Diane
