» We shall never forget
Dear friends-
While the sewing team ministered another busy day, the rest of the team (Bill, Evelyn, Josh, Dan, Debbie D., Arlene and Greg) along with Emmanuel, travelled to Nyamata to visit two more genocide sites. It is about a 45-minute drive from Kigali. These two sites are former Catholic churches where Tutsis ran for refuge when the genocide began (with the Priest’s urging), thinking they would be safe. Instead, 5000 were slaughtered in one, and 10,180 were brutally murdered in another.
“…I was horrified by the stories, but I still thought I could handle the actual site. I was told that I would be seeing rows and rows of skulls. But, I’m a guy. I can handle that kind of stuff. However, right now I am sitting outside of a church, with the same skulls that I’ve heard of setting just inside the walls, unable to go inside. Just the sight of these dead faces turn my stomach into mush. I see the skulls and realize that 14 years ago, these skulls had skin on them. These skulls had faces. These faces used to smile. Their arms used to hug. Their lives meant something to others, but not to me. Now, in their death, they actually mean more to me than they did when they were alive. I wish right now that I could bring them back and tell them that they meant so much to their friends and family. I wish that their last moments on earth were happy ones. But, I know that teir last moments were those of pain, torture, rape, distress, violence and eventually a terrible death. Satan did well here. He tried to put fear and anger into the hearts and minds of Hutu’s. He succeeded …I just forced myself to go in and take pictures. People need to not only hear, but see just a sample of the destruction. I hope that people’s hearts feel what I felt today…it’s too much to describe.”–personal journal of Joshua Patterson.
The smell of death yet lingers. The clothes each of these people were wearing when they were murdered remain in the church in close proximity to their dying place. Skulls and bones are neatly ordered on shelf after shelf. Tools of murder are left remaining on a blood-stained altar where victims were mercilessly killed in front of their own families, bodies stacked so high that blood stains are visible on the pitched ceiling. Bullet holes pepper the roof, and windows, with iron rails, show obvious signs of innocents struggling to break out to no avail. Thousands of bones and skulls, along with some coffins containing remains up to 10 persons are stacked in underground resting places. You can almost hear the screams of the people. Emotionally exhausted, we returned to rest at the guest house. It is easy for one to understand why Rwandans cling so desperately to hope when nearly every person we speak with has been personally impacted by this travesty in the history of this country.
As we mentioned above, we leave for a much-needed day of rest and relaxation tomorrow. We head out early (5:00 a.m.) in order to see animals in Akagera, a three-hour drive from here. It will be long, but fun as we enjoy each other’s company.
Bless you all for your prayers. Pray our team finishes strong as we lean not unto our own understanding but acknowledge Him in all our steps…We will never forget, we will never be the same.
Greg for the team-
Posted on Monday, September 29th, 2008
Darcee said on September 29th, 2008
What an emotional day for you all. You are all working so hard. What an amazing impression you must be leaving!!!
I have 2 words for Akagera… “BUG SPRAY!!!!” I hope that you all enjoy the game park and see lots of fun things! Can’t wait to see and hear your experiences face to face.
Blessings to all…. Dan or Greg if you think of me and want to do something special for me… you can just bring me home some Rwanda coffee… yum yum good!!! Love you all!!
Allan P said on September 29th, 2008
Lori and I wondered if perhaps the genocide sites would be solemn places of reflection like Pearl Harbor, but they are obviously much more gut-wrenching. Literally. What a contrast with Akagera!
I suspect Joshua will be more of a man when I see him next. His journal (and some of his emails) sound like they were written by someone else.
We love all of you, and look forward to lots of hugs & kisses in just a few more days!
Bob Ford said on September 29th, 2008
Team,
I’m so glad you are writing this down and taking photos. I know it’s hard to do, but so very necessary. Weeks and months later you will re-read your journals and view those photos. You’ll smile and cry because many of the same feelings and thoughts you are going through now, will come back helping to strengthen your resolve to help those you have left behind in Rwanda. So please continue to write as you have. You have blessed our family so much by giving us the fuel for our prayers for you. What a great God we serve, Bob Ford
Jill said on October 2nd, 2008
Dear Team,
No amount of preparation can ready for the sights, scene and people that you will encounter. I have relived the times I have been over there with each blog. You will all find that no matter how hard you try to express your deep feelings of experience it just can’t be understood without “being there”.
How was Akagera? Every time I have been there they have the most”humongest flies” I have ever encountered and they will bite.
Understand that some are suffering the “coming home” syndrome. That’s where you really want to see your family but really want to stay right where you are, in the great movement of the Lord as well as the love of the people.
Will be to greet you at the airport on Saturday. Teresa isn’t anxious but she told everyone at WOW, Dan would be landing at 5:17pm. I am so proud of her she has done really well.
Took Ngoga to see Francious at Sitaki’s house. Got lots of hugs from Danny and Shama as well as from a very pg mom.
See you all Saturday. Prayers for a safe flight in God’s hands.
Debbie Denaro said on October 2nd, 2008
Thank you all for these wonderful word pictures you’ve sent to us. For those of us that have never been there these blogs are an wonderful way to have a visual in our heads as we pray for you. Thank you all for going and thank you all for the amazing blessing you are giving the people there. Enjoy your last day and we will be praying you home safely. Give yourselves a hug from me. We love you. Debbie
Katarina said on October 2nd, 2008
This is so amazing. My Global Issues teacher wants Josh to come in and talk about this as a conclusion to our terrorism unit in a few weeks. Isn’t that cool?!