A Lochaber church minister is this week embarking on a fact finding mission to Rwanda.
The Rev Chris MacRae, who leads the Kilmallie and Ardnamurchan Free Church, is spending 11 days in the African country with the Scottish Bible Society.
He will also spend some of his time preaching, evangelising and providing practical care to some of the most needy people in the world.
Mr MacRae, 51, known as Kiki, will be talking to Rwandan prisoners, survivors of the genocide, as well as families struggling with HIV.
He said: “Although we have seen the work in Kilmallie blessed over the last few years, ultimately we are not just about Caol, or Lochaber, or even Scotland, but part of the worldwide mission of Christ’s church to reach the lost.
“I am honoured to have been invited by the Scottish Bible Society on this visit, and look forward to sharing my experiences and insights with different congregations on my return to Scotland.”
Mr MacRae, a former policeman who been preaching in Lochaber for 10 years, is travelling to Rwanda on Friday.
According to the Rwandan Bible Society, almost half of the country’s population cannot read or write.
The society has set up an enterprising partnership with the Rwanda government to tackle illiteracy using Bible-based materials.
Thousands of families are still affected by the 1994 genocide, and the delegation from Scotland will be visiting counselling programmes in the country.
An estimated 800,000 Rwandans were murdered in the space of 100 days.