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The story of Marc Sahabo and Felicita Mukabakunda, introduced at the beginning of this article, is a typical testimony of hope.

After his release from prison, Sahabo was invited to attend a reconciliation workshop led by RP's Pascal Niyomugabo—who is Mukabakunda's brother. At first, Sahabo thought it was a trap, that Tutsis would be waiting to kill him. But he attended the workshop anyway, and says, "My heart was changed by Jesus. I wanted to ask the victims for forgiveness, to tell them I was no longer the killer they used to know."

But Mukabakunda hadn't been ready to forgive. Her brother, who had already forgiven Sahabo, kept encouraging her. Eventually, she decided it was time.

When they finally met face to face, Sahabo got down on his knees before Mukabakunda, folded his hands, confessed his crimes, and begged for mercy. Mukabakunda put her hand on his shoulder, looked him in the eyes, and said simply, "I forgive you."

Sahabo says that at that moment, he felt like he "just came out of a shower, a clean man, except it was like a holy shower, because I felt clean on the inside." For Mukabakunda, a heavy burden lifted, and the migraine headaches and nightmares she had suffered for ten years immediately disappeared and have not returned.

Today, Sahabo and Mukabakunda say they are best friends; on the day I visited with them, they shared a beer and many laughs. Their children play together, and their families regularly share meals. The two of them ride a bike from village to village, telling their story.

"I'm not scared of him anymore," says Mukabakunda. "Without Jesus, I'd go back to hating Marc. But because of Jesus, I have forgiven Marc, and I love him now."

Theirs is just one of many similar stories I heard in my short time in Rwanda, and one of thousands more like it, all across the country. One can't help believing that the torn soul of Rwanda is healing, and that hope is on the near horizon.

Mark Moring is a CT associate editor and editor of CT Movies.

Copyright © 2009 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Christianity Today has a special section on Rwanda on our site, including:

Forty Days for Rwanda | Rick Warren, Kagame open Purpose Driven campaign. (April 17, 2008)

Appreciate Our Efforts | Don't patronize or belittle Rwandan Christians committed to progress. (April 1, 2006)

Healing Genocide | Ten years after the slaughter, Rwandans begin to mend their torn nation with a justice that is both biblical and African. (April 1, 2004)

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June 2009, Vol. 53, No. 6, Page 28