Candle in the Wind

Not being at all sure what today would bring, only knowing today’s service started at 8am, we headed for breakfast at 7.15 (as requested last night) to find the café not yet open, the young man just recovering his bicycle from the café did his best to help and between us we managed to find a roll and a couple of bananas each, he even made us a cup of coffee.

By the time we finished eating the café was beginning to open but it was time for us to head off to church. The bishop had told us the service would start at 8am sharp but at 8.06 there was only us and some of the choir there.

Today was a memorial service, remembering those killed in the Genocide in 1994, very aware of the delicate nature of the service we felt a little like gate crashers, and had found ourselves a nice quiet corner at the back of the church until Gorreth, the bishop's wife arrived and ushered us to the front row. The clergy arrived at 8.35 and the service started, although some of the choir members were still wandering in at 9am!!! The readings were from Genesis 2:15 and Isaiah 41:10, very appropriate for the occasion. As expected, it was a much subdued service today.

It’s a challenge to blend in here but given the circumstances we were doing our best, until a very awkward ‘rabbit in the headlights’ moment when Bishop Christophe called us to the front for an introduction, then handed over the mic for us to say something. No warning, no time to think, it’s fair to say Pauline saved the day.

The service was a relatively short one hour and was well interpreted for us by a lovely young man called Jeremy.  As the service finished everyone filed out for the official ‘event’.

This was a very high brow affair set up under marquees, top level government officials and Kwibuka specialists as guests of honour, media coverage etc.

We had hoped to possibly sneak a peek from the back and see how it went but Jeremy was instructed to lead us to seats in the second row, immediately behind the bishop and guest of honour.

Our dear friend Bishop Assiel from Kigeme Diocese, just half an hour up the road, led the prayers. We heard from officials and survivors, giving background to the events that led up to the genocide in 1994, and a very moving account by a young woman who was just 12 at the time, of how she was forced to run from place to place, sleeping in forests and fields, losing her family one by one until only she and her sister were left.

Every person gathered must have been directly affected by the genocide, and her story must have stirred such awful memories. Once again, we felt as though we really had no right to be included in this very solemn occasion. 

A youth choir sang about unity and remembering before wreaths were laid at the memorial, a lovely moment was when three pastors went to lay a wreath hand in hand. There are so many questions we would like to ask and stories we would like to hear to help us better understand those we work with, but some subjects are just too difficult.

Battery candles were given out, the bishop and guest of honour were given large fancy affairs, everyone else received a standard candle, unfortunately the bishop’s failed to light and a quick swap for a standard candle was made. The candles were lit as the final prayers were said, not just a sign of remembrance but also a symbol of hope and a brighter future.

It was a moving ceremony, and we feel honoured and privileged to have been a part of this day.

We were surprised that in his closing address the bishop thanked us for being there, for our partnership and support for the diocese in the years since the genocide, and afterwards several people came to shake our hands and thank us for standing with them, so we guess no one minded our gate crashing.

We were than led into the hall to join the chosen few for dinner, another honour.

A surprise meeting was with Emmanuel who had interpreted for Pauline during the event. He told her he was headteacher at Gikonko School in 2009, the time of Carmen’s first visit. He remembered us visiting the school and we had a long chat over dinner; he is now the lead of Education and Development Research at Butare University.

Meal over we retreated to our room to do the blog, 3pm already, where did that day go?