Anniversary of Rwandan genocide: Reconciliation key to recovery
By: World Vision Australia
Monday, 7 April 2014, 13:45 (EST)
Twenty years after a devastating genocide left more than 800,000 of their countrymen dead, Rwandans have a new lesson for the world, the chief executive of World Vision Australia, Tim Costello said today.
That lesson is that no matter how violent and vehement the conflict, forgiveness and reconciliation can bring extraordinary healing and hope, said Mr Costello who returned from Rwanda yesterday.
“The entire country is now an unprecedented experiment in reconciliation as perpetrators and survivors build their lives side by side,” Mr Costello said. “Their journey has not been easy and it is far from over, but Rwanda is essentially a country transformed.”
World Vision’s reconciliation work is based on the idea that forgiveness must come first; it must be offered before repentance or remorse.
“It has been overwhelming to hear story after story of Rwandans choosing to forgive despite profoundly wrong acts committed twenty years ago,” Mr Costello said.
Read More: http://au.christiantoday.com/article/anniversary-of-rwandan-genocide-reconciliation-key-to-recovery/17140.htm