We awoke to a pleasant morning and a very good Solace breakfast with lots of fruit. The rest of the group having arrived last night. We then went in our bus to the service for Justin Welby who is visiting East Africa. Most of the Rwandan Bishops were there as well as lots of church and local dignitaries and the deputy British high commissioner who turned up in her car resplendent with Union Jack. There was lots of joyous singing and dancing. Justin preached on Nehemiah rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.Building for the glory of God by the Grace of God in the Power of God.
The two archbishops Rwanda and Canterbury
After many more speeches and singing we finally went home for lunch.
Then off to the Kigali Genocide memorial site which is the main site in the country although there are many more scattered through the whole of the country.
The site consists of banks of mass graves containing over 250,000 bodies; with more being found and added every year. Sited in a beautiful garden and an exhibition area where the story of the genocide is told through pictures and multimedia.
Wall of names of victims whose bodies have not been found
One of the graves which can be seen so people can pay heir respects
The rest are sealed with concrete.
After walking round, Mary and I sat in quiet contemplation in the beautiful knot garden and read from Lamentations 3 . A cry of hope in the middle of despair.
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