The Famous Kigali Tour

Here is a picture of Jano, our host and his son. Missing from the picture is dear Chrissie who we were waiting for in the car at the time this was taken. This was taken just when we had finished the Famous Kigali Tour that Jano is known for. After going on it, we see why. He took us all around Kigali, showing us the area and giving us quite a bit of history behind it all. Jano and Chrissy have been the very picture of hospitality. They have gone to every end and beyond to make sure that we area achieving what we need/want to, translating, transporting and feeding us the most delicious food! I, joy, feel spoiled beyond what I can express here in this little bit of writing. We are most taken care of here.


The Kigali tour took us many places. This is one place that I would like to talk about.

In the beginning of the Genocide, part of the plot to remove foreign forces was to scare them away. The killing began shortly after the President's plane was shot down after signing a peace treaty with the Tutsi leader in a northern country. It was then that the Interhamwe came to kill the Prime Minister. They took the 10 Belgium guards that protected her home, took them back to the camp and executed them at this building. You can see the bullet holes in the wall it, here at the soldier encampment. Looking at this, just feet away from where we stood, made the pain of murder a little closer. We think of those Belgian soldiers, then of the Prime Minister, The president... the people. With this genocide taking place, protective forces left at the threat of others in their army being executed like these were, no other relief came and the world sat back and watched the months go by, eating their dinners and watching the news as the numbers increased to those killed.

What can we say? Our host was telling us pieces of his story and we sat listening with questions piling higher and higher. When time came to ask one. . . I had a hard time getting it out. His story so strong and difficult, how could we be worthy of asking anything further from what he told us? Would we cause even more pain by asking him to repeat it? God give us all strength. We want to be instruments of peace, joy, healing. . . hope. Show Jesus to us clearer and brighter. Even in the middle of hearing of all this suffering. Give us empathy to hurt with them.

We got back safely for a relaxing afternoon. Mugabo is such a happy boy and he has a way of filling this house with contagious simplicity. Before the tour, I forgot to mention, we experienced Rwandan church for the first time. Thankfully we weren't the only Muzungu's (white people) there. There were visitors from the Saddleback church in California (Rick Warren's church). They invited all the visitors up to the stage to share! AHHH! In my panic I forgot all the kinyarwanda I knew in my greeting. Nancy did well with introducing herself, her purpose and staying calm infront of purhaps 400 people (Jano translated for us). The singing was beautiful. Two choirs shared, and the congregation joined in freely. The offering was taken with passing a bag on a stick down the aisles. The song "My Redemer Lives" and the chorus got all energetic and exciting. The front row started dancing, jumping and clapping. THEN we saw them lift up chairs and clothing as they rejoiced that their redemer lives!

We're all well, but please pray for Nancy's belly. She's gettin' 'rumbly in the tumbly'.

Please keep the people here in your prayers in light of the above facts!

We love you!
joyous