Dave Pepler told Amoré on RSG about their tour to Rwanda, reflecting on the incredible experience. In 1994, the country was still caught up in a war where the most painful and largest genocide ever took place.

However, the new leaders decided to turn the country’s history around and create a place where their people could live in peace and love. They wiped out corruption within two years. They decided that the only way to restore trust was to stand together as one.

Every motorcycle driver using his motorcycle as a taxi must wear a crash helmet and also have one for his passenger. At the taxi ranks, everyone queues neatly. Unheard of for the rest of Africa.

Agriculture is growing. New innovative projects have been set up and farmers work with the cooperatives to deliver the best products. New ponds were built for fish farms with chicken and rabbit cages.

Every last Saturday of the month each and every shop closes, because it is country clean-up day. Everyone helps – even the president. No child was begging. The people speak softly and ask: “Where are you from? Welcome to Rwanda.”

Dave concluded his talk with these words: “Let those who have eyes to see and ears to hear now take note of the successes of Rwanda.”

Wow, what a beautiful, wonderful story of an African country rising from the ashes. May we South Africans learn from them and let our rainbow nation show the world how we can live together in peace and love.

Why am I telling this story? Because it’s a feel-good story. Because I dream of my country also looking like this one day. I also tell this so that we can understand how easily one can learn new things through the eyes of others.

You and I may not have been to Rwanda yet, but just by listening to Dave’s talk with Amoré, we see the country, we experience the people, and we start a dream for our country. If it can work there, it can work here too.

This is exactly what Jesus came to do. The Jews were the only ones who knew God. The rest of the people didn’t know about Him. Then Jesus came to earth and introduced God to non-Jewish people.

²¹It’s because of this sacrificed Messiah, whom God then raised from the dead and glorified, that you trust God, that you know you have a future in God.

We get to know God as a loving Father who was willing to send His Son to die for all people’s sins. We get to know God as a God you can trust and to whom you can go at any time.

As we see and dream the miracle of Rwanda through Dave’s eyes, we see God through Jesus’ actions. May we dream that the rest of humanity will also see God. Yes, may others see Jesus and God through us and accept them as Father and Savior.

Scripture
1 Peter 1:17-21

Reflection
How do you see Jesus?
How do you see God?
Do others see Jesus and God through you?

Prayer
Father, thank You for sending Jesus so that I can get to know You. Help me to show others what a difference You make in my life and what difference You want to and can make in their lives as well. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.