Deutsche - Global Balance

econciliation starts to be visible between individuals and groups, Jack said. He mentioned
his grandfather, supporting needy Palestinian children, not considering the hatred between
the 2 peoples. Finally he asked the people listening to reconcile with their enemies, so that
we may live as God’s daughters and sons”, he said.
Then a young Burundian reported on his experiences made during the crisis in 1993. Still
being a child, Jean Marie Vianney, sick with cholera, saw his parents and the rest of his
family being killed. He was saved because of his illness. Eventually he arrived at Mont Sion
Gikungu, but due to his traumata he did not speak to anybody, because he was full of hatred.
It was only during the preparations for the Outpouring of the Holy Ghost and the instructions
on forgiveness that he decided to reconcile with the executioners of his family, “Now I feel
peace in my heart” he concluded.
On the 4th day of the reconciliation week Nosipho, a young South African woman, reported
on her experiences. She has traced her country’s history concerning rascial discrimination
and Apartheid. Referring to forgiveness she cited Mandela as an example for reconciliation.
Stéphanie, a young American woman told different stories of South African people, who,
although having experienced aggressions, chose forgiveness rather than revenge, she said.
After the witnesses of the speakers, the young Burundians presented the idea of forgiveness
and reconciliation in their following performances, promising to break with the old
disconnecting views of their parents because they are the Burundi of tomorrow, they said.
The reconciliation week was concluded by a mini concert on 19 th of April, which was
attended by many Christians from Mont Sion. The offical representative of the foundation
Mariya Arafasha did not hide his joy over the success of the activities during the
reconciliation week. He expressed his thanks to the young people and asked them to
subsequently cultivate a spirit of forgiveness and reconciliation within their everyday life.
Tom from Northern Ireland Stéphanie from the USA Jack from Bethlehem
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