Some Glimpses

Kigali, Rwandan capital.

Juvenal Habyarimana, whose plane was shot down April 1994.

    Paul Kagame, leader of the Rwandan Patriotic Front and currently head of state of Rwanda.

 

           UN General of UNAMIR 1994, Romeo Dallaire

Countryside.

Visual Education

The Rwandan genocide of April 1994. Easy enough to say, not even that difficult to hear an explanation of it. I had never heard of it until last fall at one of the first meetings for the trip group. In one of my classes on Africa this semester, I read about it. And then the first two actual classes in preparation for the trip, we watched movies dealing with the genocide. I think that's when it finally hit me -- the terror, hatred, demonic anger.

After the first night, I could not sleep. The content bothered me so much that I couldn't get it off my mind. I was blessed to not have nightmares. The second one bothered me more, because the images were sudden and frightening, but not explicitly violent. I had left the first movie feeling heartbroken, but when I left after the second, I wanted to punch something.

Despite these miserable experiences, I feel like I better understand what happened, from the perspective of those in Rwanda. My journal took the full force of my emotions, so I'm much more calm now. :)

I found myself questioning lots of things about humanity and evil. If you ever watch these films, you'll probably do the same. It's good to think about.

* Movies watched: Sometimes in April, and Shake Hands With the Devil


I found this website that gives a pretty accurate picture of what happened.

Also, here are trailers for movies made about the genocide.
Shake Hands With the Devil
Hotel Rwanda
Sometimes in April was so graphic that I wouldn't recommend viewing it unless you feel you must.

Before the Beginning

Well, this is my first blog entry ever. I'm told I should keep one for this trip, which I will attempt to do faithfully.

This first entry is rather uninteresting, however, because nothing has yet occurred. I mostly want to talk about God's provision. I have lettres to send out asking for assistance -- prayer and finanical. I am walking in faith that the Lord will take care of me. I have received wonderful, generous help from several folks. I also have one scholarship. These help me loads, but I still haven't paid for it all yet. I have technically paid for less than a quarter of the costs.

I also hadn't given much thought at first to extra costs for necessities such as immunizations (you'd think that'd be obvious), appropriate clothing, etc. I never realized things cost so much...welcome to the adult world!

I am excited to see what God does through all of this, and I won't hesitate to praise Him when it's all taken care of! In fact, I think I'll praise Him beforehand as well. :) He will give me my daily bread. I just need to seek His kingdom first.