Dear Fellow Rotarians:I was fascinated to read in the new February Rotarian, the reprint story of Rotary's response to the horrific genocide of April - July, 1994 in the tiny country of Rwanda, in the Great Lakes of Africa. It shows the selfless spirit of a few Rwanda Rotarians in the aftermath period of that terrible time of hatred and killing, as they set out to create a Kigali City Library. I am so glad to learn the story.
Particularly because of the personal work our Pilgrim Center for Reconciliation has been doing in Rwanda to bring forgiveness and healing immediately following the genocide and throughout the 25 years since.
A group of Edina churches had been working with World Vision to fight the famine in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania for 12 years. When the genocide overwhelmed Rwanda and its neighbors, Bob Seiple, World Vision President, sent me into Rwanda with one of his country directors to see if there was any hope for reconciliation.
Some people said, "It's too soon for reconciliation," others "It's too late for reconciliation." World Vision US decided to partner with our little Pilgrim Center to find a way to try. It became clear it would take the deep work of healing the heart, to turn hatred and hurt into forgiveness and reconciliation. God gave us the means of 3-day healing retreats to bring that about. World Vision helped us for five years. Since then we've been on our own.
Our mission was to bring the opposing Hutus together with the Tutsis in retreat. The result for us was stunning as we followed Jesus' example, asked their forgiveness for us of the West who had unwittingly sown division. Prayer followed, and the washing of feet.
It was a life-changing, high adventure for my wife and me, and for our teams. The work still goes on under succeeding leadership in our Pilgrim Center. Our organization celebrated 25 years just this early November.
I believe it is the same divine spirit that motivates Rotary and our Pilgrim spirit.
I have grown through the years in my gratitude to Rotary for its selfless service around the world and have wanted to remain part of it as I could. So indirectly, we have trod some of the same ground. That's why I've hung on to my 55-year Rotary membership this long.
I hope that knowing at least one other Rotarian, from middle America, was moved by the demonic evil of that time, to find a way to heal Rwanda's heart, will be an encouragement to other Rotarians to know that their remarkable club, gathered to heal and help the world, took action from yet another part of the globe to bring healing and hope to one of the most desperate countries of the world.
Our work moved out from there into nearby Burundi, Eastern Congo, and eventually South Sudan, as well.
This work from Edina 25 years ago is still continued worthy of notice by Rotary International.
Sincerely, your friend,
Arthur Rouner
Click HERE to read "The Rotarian" story as published in the February 2020 issue.