These were the words that my mother-in-law spoke yesterday as we emailed about the 1994 genocide that rocked Rwanda. Yesterday was the 15th anniversary of the genocide that split Rwanda apart- and marks the next 100 days of mourning for this country- as they remember the nearly 1 million loved ones that were taken. Rwanda holds a special place in my heart- not only because my career in photography took root here- but also because my dearest friend- whom I call Sister- is a survivor of this horrible genocide. I know the country was in a state of shock yesterday- as people went to visit their family’s grave sites- and gathered around to watch their President light the flame that will burn for the next 100 days- honoring and remembering their loved ones. I’m sorry, I can’t find words to adequately talk about this… I can’t describe to you the pain that these people are dealing with. It’s something much deeper than I’ve ever know. Although I don’t know much at all- I do know that we need to pray for our friends in Rwanda. They need it right now.
“May God bless you with a restless discomfort about easy answers, half-truths and superficial relationships, so that you may seek truth boldly and love deep within your heart. May God bless you with holy anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may tirelessly work for justice, freedom, and peace among all people. May God bless you with the gift of tears to shed with those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, or the loss of all that they cherish, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and transform their pain into joy. May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you really can make a difference in this world, so that you are able, with God’s grace, to do what others claim.”
-The Franciscan Blessing
