Rwandan Genocide Survivor
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger … Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
–Ephesians 4:31–32 (NIV)
“Vincent guided us through the Kigali memorial, sharing his story of survival during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide—a tragedy that took his entire family when he was just a boy. Hearing his firsthand account made the brutality of those 100 days painfully real. Over 500,000 to 1 million people—mostly Tutsis, along with some Hutus and Twa—were killed. Vincent’s story revealed the depth of loss and how deeply rooted divisions of social class and race led to such devastating violence.
“After the genocide, the Rwandan government tried to establish some much-needed unity by implementing a reconciliation process, encouraging perpetrators to confess their crimes. Decades later, when Vincent was in his mid-thirties, he experienced an unexpected, life-altering encounter. While he was at a supermarket, a man approached Vincent and began asking detailed questions about his childhood home and village. After confirming Vincent’s identity, the man revealed he was responsible for killing Vincent’s family and described specific details, including where the bodies were buried.”
Amazing Forgiveness
“We were amazed at what our new friend and tour guide told us next! Vincent forgave the man who killed his entire family. He explained that forgiveness wasn’t optional: ‘If I didn’t forgive him, I would become him,’ he shared. Showing mercy became Vincent’s path to freedom, preventing bitterness and hatred from defining his life. Over time, this decision to forgive led to something extraordinary.
“Vincent and the man who killed his family developed a friendship. They now spend time together and even share holidays, demonstrating true redemption. Through the man’s confession, Vincent was also able to locate and recover what remained of his family’s bodies, giving them a proper burial—something that had been impossible before. Not only did Vincent guide us through the memorial that day, but he also guided our hearts spiritually, modeling Jesus’ forgiveness—to ‘get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger’ toward even our worst enemies. How is that possible? we thought. Only with a fresh filling of God’s perfect love—Jesus Christ—can we love like God does!
“While the government’s reconciliation process was imperfect, it fostered a culture of confession, repentance, and forgiveness to begin the healing of a wounded nation. Only Jesus’ reconciliation—the gospel story—can truly heal a nation, a people group, or a person’s heart. Vincent’s story illustrates how God’s love can so fill our hearts that forgiveness toward someone—though difficult and costly—can lead to our healing, our restoration, and unexplainable relationships. His journey serves as a powerful reminder that while evil can devastate lives, redemption and reconciliation are still possible, even after profound loss. A Redeemer—that’s who God is!”
Pastors Charles and Ethan, part of Gateway family
Additional Resources
Learn More About Global Trips and Outreach at Gateway.
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