Robs Turn to post

Hi Guys,

Must admit I leave most of the blogging to Kellie but have a spare minute now and a decent internet connection so here goes.

We are now well and truly into the trip and God is opening up doors everywhere. Please keep praying...it is working. The gathering (conference) as incredible. Learned great stuff, met amazing people, heard incredible stories and networked like crazy. The field trip was amazing. We went for three days to see memorials and visit areas where REACH (stands for Reconcilliation, Evangelism and Christian Healing) have been working with local communities to bring about reconcilliation, provide all sorts of training and assist with healing. Their work is amazing. So in brief, here were my experiences:

1. First memorial is indescribable. 50,000 Tutsi herded together in a newly built school, starved for 5 days and then slaughtered. Their bodies were put in mass graves, and then later dug up and mumified using Lime. The sight and the smell is something I will never forget. I had to walk away every now and then an focus on the kids playing nearby just to avoid not being traumatised myself. One guy had survived and been unable to leave the place since it happened 14 years ago. Lots more to tell, but you get the idea. It certainly set the scene.

2. Second memorial was in Nyamata which had been a catholic church. Again around 15,000 Tutsi herded together and then killed with guns, grenades and machettes. The clothes of the people lay on the pews in the church and blood stains cover the altar. Again, words can't describe it.

3. These set the scene for then hearing about the most amazing stories of forgiveness and reconcilliation between Tutsi and Hutu and Twa people. We found ourselves the guests of honour at a graduation ceremony for about 50 women who had completed REACH's training. It was clear that there was genuine love and reconcilliation between these women, some of whom had survived the genocide while others had partners who had committed attrocities. We heard a number of testimonies and then celebrated with them and with the choir who sang songs of hope and reconcilliation. It was incredible.

4. AFterwards we sat with the local women to hear about their ongoing projects and micro enterprize. We discussed how we might be able to help support their cause and finished with and offering for them to assist in the development of a business proposal they will put to REACH. They were very grateful.

5. Had a similar session n Rwamagana where we heard testimonies of reconcilliatino but also got to witness some amazing drumming, dancing, singing etc. They even made us join in. YOu can only imagine how the dancing looked then. Lots of laughing was the result...I think we managed to entertain them also.

6. Went to a church on Sunday where the pastor used to be a prostitute but now reached out to street kids and the down and out. The church was around 800-1000 strong. Just amazing. Without going into detail, I ended up at the end of the line when asked if one of us visitors would get up, explain who we were and preach. There I was in front of 800 people, dancing during hillsong worship and trying to seek the Lord for a word. Well I wished I had prepared but nevertheless, I will have to trust God that maybe someone was blessed.

Since the gathering we have been meeting many different people and organisations and there is a lot of interest in the trauma rehab stuff we have brought with us. It seems there have been plenty of crack pots here as well, so there is a bit of credibility issue, but when people hear about the programme they are very keen. We are planning to spend time next week with a few key organisations to explain in detail and then pilot at least one full programme (ie. 13 2hr sessions). Appreciate your prayers for that.

Anyway, gotta go. Please keep praying. We are doing well and God is great.

Look forward to seeing you all.

God bless

Rob