Once the killing started, it seemed like it would never stop. Over the course of 100 days in the summer of 1994, one million Rwandan Tutsis were slaughtered by Hutu militias in an eruption of ethnic hatred. The brutality and scope of the massacre defied imagination and shocked the world.

When a fragile cease-fire was restored, Rwanda was in shambles. Beyond the horrific loss of life was an even more daunting problem. Was it even possible to rebuild a society ravaged by atrocities so widespread that the majority of survivors in Rwanda were either victims or murderers?

The justice system was quickly overwhelmed. More than 100,000 prisoners were incarcerated to await trial for their crimes against humanity. But to prosecute every person who had participated in the genocide would take 110 years! Plus, the financial and emotional energy required was robbing Rwanda of the critical resources it needed to fight for its future.

That's when the Christian church stepped forward with a radical solution based on the model of God's dealing with humanity in the cross of Jesus. Instead of relying on the traditional legal system to put things right, Rwandans were invited to tap into the healing power of forgiveness.

The concept, called restorative justice, was implemented in village tribunals rather than in courtrooms. Victims and perpetrators would freely assemble before the entire village and a panel of elders. There the criminals would openly confess what they had done, casting themselves on the mercy of those they had grossly offended and abused.

Giant billboards were erected along the roadsides: "Tell what you know. Admit what you have done. The truth will heal the land." And slowly, forgiveness began to heal the tattered hearts and broken spirits of Rwanda. Deborah Niyakabirika's story captures the incredible power of what has been taking place:

[Deborah's] son was murdered in an act of ethnic genocide. Months after the killing, a young man visited Deborah. "I killed your son," he said. "Take me to the authorities and let them deal with me as they will. I have not slept since I shot him. Every time I lie down I see you praying, and I know you are praying for me."

Deborah answered, "You are no longer an animal but a man taking responsibility for your actions. I do not want to add death to death." Then Deborah did the extraordinary. "But I want you to restore justice by replacing the son you killed," she continued. "I am asking you to become my son. When you visit me, I will care for you." Today, that young man is an adopted member of her household. (Christianity Today, April, 2004)

What a picture of the undeserved grace of God demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ! Our sin killed God's Son. In return, He forgave and opened the arms of a Father to embrace all who would come to Him. And because of radical mercy, condemned sinners are transformed into participants in rebuilding the brokenness of a world gone disastrously wrong.

Forgiveness can turn sinners into saints and victims into conquerors. The forgiveness Christ makes possible is the hope of the world.