Thousands of Rwandans on Sunday gathered at Amahoro National Stadium for the maiden Thanksgiving Day celebrations organized by various Christian churches in the country.This event, which will be held annually on the last Sunday of August, is an initiative of top clerics under the Peace Plan project.The event is coordinated by Rwanda Purpose Driven Ministries / PEACE Plan, an organisation established in Rwanda as a result of the friendship between President Paul Kagame and Rev. Rick Warren of the Saddle Back Church of the United States.Organisers cited the country’s stability, reconciliation, and improved people’s welfare among the achievements to thank God for.Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister, Pierre Damien Habumuremyi, applauded the initiative, calling upon the thousands of celebrants to uphold their dignity as Rwandans and also work together to build their nation.“Rwandans have now woken up and are indeed committed to building their nation. We have a reason to thank God, He no longer only spends daytime and sleeps in Rwanda like they used to say, God is always in Rwanda day and night,” said the Prime Minister.He stated that Rwanda has made lots of achievements for which to thank God, especially because of its ‘agaciro’ or dignity that characterises all Rwandans.James Musoni, the Minister for Local Government noted that Rwandans should always take time to thank God.“When you look at what the country went through and where it is today, there’s a lot for Rwanda to be thankful to God to. God has been so kind to this nation and helped rebuild it,” he said.Musoni also noted that the government has good partnership with all religious leaders and that it will continue to nurture this bond.
