Week of mourning, faith, and prayer

April 7th marks the memorial of the 1994 Genocide here in Rwanda. A time when the dark hand of evil cast a shadow over this beautiful country. It is illegal in the country of Rwanda to speak of the genocide in public. For fear that it will cause dissension. In keeping respect for this we will limit this topic of discussion, but would like to share with you a few things. The week is filled with solemnness. No dancing, clapping, or cheer. It is said, during that tragic time the women shed all of their tears, and have none left. It is culturally unacceptable to cry in public. This is evident at the hospital when children are chastised for crying even though they are injured. They learn to grow up stoic, not showing emotion. During the memorial week these cultural taboos are relaxed as the whole country grieves. Post traumatic stress becomes a common diagnosis at the hospital as they are confronted with images and memories of the past. Outside our compound is a purple building that marks a mass grave of 1,200 people who were massacred in this small village of Kibogora. It is a daily reminder of the pain and suffering these people have endured. On Sunday it will be opened so everyone can pay their respects to the names printed on the walls in remembrance. As outsiders we can show our support by offering our prayers. Prayers for all those whose lives were cut short by evil, prayers for all those who were left behind to grieve.