Rwanda speaker inspires Bellarmine students

By Olivia Welsh

Published: Thursday, October 6, 2011

Updated: Thursday, October 6, 2011 16:10

Photo Courtesy: Samantha Ortiz

Photo Courtesy: Samantha Ortiz

Carl Wilkins, director of World Outside My Shoes and an Adventist missionary, gave a speech in Bellarmine's Amy Cralle Theater on Tuesday, Sept. 27. Wilkens spoke of his decision to be the only American remaining in Rwanda when the genocide began in April of 1994.

Wilkins' wife, Teresa, described their visit to Rwanda as "initially our easiest assignment," since they had already spent much time in Africa previously. Six months after the couple and their children arrived in Rwanda, however, the war had begun. His family chose to leave Rwanda while Wilkins decided to stay to fight the genocide, a decision that he and his wife both made together.

In Wilkins' speech, he spoke deeply of those he met on his journey in Rwanda. He opened with a story of two women who inspired him to keep fighting. Wilkins emphasized the importance of women's roles in these types of situations, saying there is "potential destruction of a family, community, and country when the women aredestroyed." He described his neighbors who protected him as "courageous, resilient, and compassionate" women. "If you want lasting stability, security, and development, then make sure young woman get an education." Wilkins described this as "the Girl Effect."

Wilkins' audience, made up of mostly college students, was impressed and inspired with his story and his decision to stay in Rwanda. "The speech tonight was especially meaningful to me because of my experience in South Africa," said Bellarmine junior Karen Thomas. "I believe people need to hear stories of despair, but also stories of hope."

Junior Samantha Ortiz was very moved by Wilkins' story. "It's amazing to see the capacity for compassion that people have in their hearts," she said, "We don't see many people like Wilkins, or the inspiring women in Rwanda, in our own society very often."

Wilkins encouraged his audience to take something away from his speech. "I believe that when we engage our mind and our muscles," he said, "it has a huge potential to change the way we think, which changes the way we feel and act."

Wilkins encouraged his audience to read and explore what is happening in Rwanda today. He explained that Rwanda is on the road to recovery now, but help is still needed in the country. He said we can help in many ways, whether it is by reading his book, "I'm Not Leaving" or just posting a link on Facebook with information about Rwanda's situation.

Wilkins stressed the significance of knowing what has happened in Rwanda. "I hope you go out of here with a deeper commitment...with a shift from ‘me' thinking to ‘we' thinking."

Source

*A small note about Bellarmine, after whom the university is named:

Robert Bellarmine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Robert Bellarmine (full name in Italian: Roberto Francesco Romolo Bellarmino) (4 October 1542 – 17 September 1621) was an Italian Jesuit and a Cardinal of the Catholic Church. He was one of the most important figures in the Counter-Reformation. He was canonized in 1930 and is a Doctor of the Church.

Saint Robert Bellarmine
Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church
Born	4 October 1542 Montepulciano, Italy
Died	17 September 1621 (aged 78) Rome, Italy