Much has changed in Rwanda since the terrible genecide of 1994.

I first visted Kigali, the capital in 2005 and along with many others visited the genocide memorial. I wept when I saw the video images of mans hatred for his fellow man. The childrens gallery was particularly harrowing. I came away and sat quietly I was so deeply moved I really found it hard to speak.

Having just come back from a visit in 2014 it was good to see so much of the slum areas have been redeveloped with much better housing, flats and hotels. Good shops and even supermarkets are springing up too. No its not like your town centre but it is a vast improvement on what existed before. There is more affluence but probably most are still quite poor.

In the church I visited it was good to meet some of the families I met in 2005. Their children have grown up and some have come out of university with good qualifications which bodes well for the nation. However finding a good job is still a challenge. The daughter of my host has two shops now and appears to be progressing quite well. It is this entrepreneurial spirit which will help to create wealth in this nation recovering from such a devastating calamity.

With international money coming into the country the roads have been improved greatly, however that does not mean you can throw away the four wheel drive quite yet.

As in in other parts of Africa you do not have to look far to find great need. It is however gratifying to know that this nation is rebuilding itself. I pray too, that alongside this physical rebuilding there will be a spiritual renewing and reviving of the Christian church in Rwanda. I met some of the Rwandans who had fled the country to Uganda and other places, but who have now, in the last few years, returned. Most of these people could bring very little out of their `guest nations` so they had to start again with nothing. They have again built up businesses and now are doing their part in building a nation. No the situation is not perfect, resources are still limited, there is still far too much poverty and  services are not to the standard we would expect in our country, but a great deal has been achieved.

For more information and giving to Africa mission look under `Living Hope Ministries` heading.