Rwanda, 25 Years

Photos from the National Genocide Memorial, Kigali.

On this Sunday, Rwanda will mark the 25th anniversary of the genocide, commemorating the lives of more than 800,000 people, mostly Tutsis, slaughtered in less than a four-month period in 1994.

An entire generation has now grown up in a country deeply scarred from this dark time of hatred and fear. This is a generation that has never used the former ethnic labels of Hutu and Tutsi, now banned in Rwanda. Each April they have stood in day-long services with relatives and neighbors to commemorate the memory of loved ones lost. They have witnessed the process of their communities naming evil, sharing the grief, demonstrating forgiveness, and celebrating reconciliation. These have not been an easy twenty-five years, but for this generation of young Rwandans, this is all they have ever known.

Darrell, Justin, Emmanuel, Berthe, Ernestine, and Laura Lee

As Canadian Baptists, we have had the privilege of walking with the Baptist Churches of Rwanda through these past years of healing. We are thankful for the young leaders whom we have watched demonstrating humility and compassion for their communities. 

Among this generation of hope-filled Rwandans is our friend Ernestine Kamarora. Over the past six years, we have come to know her as she managed the HIV and AIDS projects, as well as the ministries for orphans and vulnerable children with the AEBR. Since last September, Ernestine has come to serve as the director of community development for the AEBR. Under her leadership, the outreach projects continue to integrate faith and good works as they draw people to live together in peace. This month is both a time to look back with lament and to step forward with confidence and faith.

Ernestine and Erica

Please join us in praying for the Association of Rwandan Baptist Churches, for young leaders like Ernestine, and for our embedded Canadian field staff Rev. Dr. Darrell and Laura Lee Bustin who continue to serve in the areas of leadership development, pastoral training, and hosting short term volunteers.