Commemorate

In Rwanda, community meetings take place under trees. Those beautiful, aged sorts of trees that have been there for many years; the sorts of trees that have stood tall in the middle of difficult situations.

We’re commemorating the Rwandan Genocide this week, so each day we’re joining with local communities, underneath their beautiful, aged trees. In these meetings we hear stories, we discuss questions, we remember what happened 21 years ago. It strikes me that this isn’t the history I learned at school; the distant and detached facts and figures that were given in stuffy classrooms. I was alive 21 years ago. This happened in my lifetime -  and in the lives of each Rwandan sitting under the tree with us.

The stories that are told take place in the area we’re sitting in:“A bomb was thrown over there”, they say, pointing at a bush a few metres away. “Those who were my friends were forced to become my enemies”, they recount, with the reality of those words felt by the majority. And this is what strikes me about this little known historical event - nobody wanted to be involved, but everyone was forced to fight.

“Kill or be killed” - the decision that many had to make, while others ran because it was the only thing they could do.

It’s difficult to explain the intricate details of this genocide, but it’s very easy to understand the way it’s affected lives. I’ve been humbled by these voices choosing to tell their stories of loss, of grief, of difficult decisions. What happened in Rwanda in 1994 affected everyone. Not just a few; each individual is united in their experience.

So many people died.

Yet this week, under these beautiful aged trees, I’m inspired by the unity. Not just united in loss, but united in hope. These communities are hoping for a transformed Rwanda; one where this situation will never happen again. This period isn't just commemorating the past, but dedicating the future to be better.

This week, the partner staff have asked us to join them in praying for this country. Not just that they’ll grieve together, but that they’ll hope together, too. I’m inspired by their shared attitude and their shared actions. And I’m amazed at the honesty of the people we’re working alongside; the way they’re willing to share their lives with us and commemorate alongside us.

It’s a privilege to be here, in this place, at this time. As we commemorate, I’m once again drawn to the power of stories; to inspire people to fight for change and to strive for a better world. It’s not surprising that this commemoration is filled with stories because they’re what will unite this country; stories that continue to evoke past memories, and to fill new memories with light.

commemorate: to recall or show respect for.