15 years ago millions of lives in Rwanda were torn apart by the fastest most horrific genocide in modern times. A whirlwind of violence, rape, torture spared no-one. Those left behind were traumatised beyond imagination. Those who carried the genocide out must either shut out all feeling or face the shame of their actions. Comfort Rwanda's partners "The Healing and Reconciliation Ministry" have been working with perpetrators of the genocide (some of them released from prison under the governments early release programme) and survivors. Through a process of 3 day retreats and follow up which helps pepetrators to repent and survivors to forgive, those who killed and those who lost their families are being reconciled in an amazing example of what God's love can do when human hearts are open.

One of the released prisoners says "I also killed people and after that I went to hide myself in a pit. They were searching and I was found and put in prison. I  ask for forgiveness even from those who hear me now. I was in prison for 14 years. Now the work here is to reconcile. Those who have the heart and are ashamed of what they did can work together. There are some who know and love what they did and they are still in prison. God made us come out of the prison and be reconciled." And one of the survivors says

He was in the prison when he asked for forgiveness I accepted and forgave him and we have no more conflict.

We are together in the agriculture project. We are building now a family and work together. We were together for 3 days and were touched and helped. We are together now."

 

To show genuine repentance the ex-prisoners are building houses to replace those they destroyed when they killed families. Some have even divided their own plot in two and given half to the widows whose families they killed and whose homes they destroyed and are building new homes for the widows. Comfort Rwanda is providing funding for this building project - for roofing, doors, windows and the final cement coating over the mud bricks the ex-prisoners make. It costs about £300 for a roof and £5-600 for the roof, windows, door and cement.

 

This Christmas and New Year our appeal is for support in this amazing project. Your gift can rebuild not just a home, but a life.