I'm Not Leaving

Carl Wilkens shares his experience in Rwanda

Carl Wilkens ('81) stayed behind during the Rwanda genocide, even after most foreigners evacuated the country, including Wilkens' family.

Alumni of Walla Walla University have served humanity all over world, but perhaps none with more distinction than that of the unique experience of Carl Wilkens (’81). Wilkens served as the director of ADRA (Adventist Development and Relief Agency) in Rwanda during the Genocide in 1994. While most foreigners left during the crisis, Wilkens chose to stay. His story has been featured in such media outlets as PBS Frontline, the New York Times, and National Public Radio. Today Pastor Wilkens resides in Spokane, Wash., with his wife, Theresa (Appley) Wilkens (’81), and three children, Mindy, Lisa, and Shaun. He has set up his own non-profit organization, WorldOutsideMyShoes.org, through which he tells his story and raises awareness to suffering around the world.

Wilkens’ story in Rwanda began 1990 when he moved there with his young family after accepting an ADRA directorship position. He put to good purpose the skills he learned at then Walla Walla College as an Industrial Education major to help build new schools and to implement a program for creating garden tools and clay ovens for people displaced during the 1990 civil war. The civil war preempted the Genocide in 1994 in which the Hutu tribesmen slaughtered approximately 800,000 Tutsis. Wilkens evacuated his family along with other foreigners, but decided to stay himself.

 “It just seemed the right thing to do,'' said Wilkens, ''I could take my blue passport and go, and moments later my housegirl and night watchman, both identifiable Tutsis, were going to be butchered.''

During the conflict, Wilkens was able to deliver water, food, and other aid around the city and in one case was able to prevent the slaughtering of more than 200 orphans.

“It was the student missions program at WWU that gave wings to the dreams I had as a kid of exploring Africa one day,” says Wilkens.  “The year I spent doing maintenance and purchasing at Bethel College in the Transki, South Africa in the late 70s not only propelled me along the path of becoming a high school shop teacher, but ignited a life-long love affair with the people of Africa.”

In addition to the technical skills WWU gave him he also learned relational skills.

“I remember in particular the challenges and rewards of organizing and participating in Campus Ministries programs like big brother/big sister, adapt a grandparent, and others” he says.  “During the Genocide it was the relational skills that really were instrumental in saving lives; the bigger challenges lay in relating to and negotiating with the leaders of the genocide as well as those swinging the machetes. They were the ones who controlled the stolen food supplies, fuel, and movement in Kigali.”
   
Perhaps one of the most important things Wilkens picked up at WWU was his lovely wife Theresa. Though they went on their first date while students at Upper Columbia Academy, they really started dating at WWU when they shared a class. 

“It was while taking accounting together that things really began to ‘add up,’” Wilkens jokes. “The teacher’s assistant for the class would make comments on our papers like, ‘The answers on both of your papers are remarkably similar.’”

Now Wilkens uses his organization to travel around the world visiting high schools and universities, telling his story and impacting the minds of future generations of policy makers and citizens of the world. 

“It's not always easy to tell what impact our story-telling has as we travel in and out of the US,” Wilkens admits. “After a visit students sometimes tell us they know now what they want to study, and name things like peace and conflict studies, international development, or majors leading to human rights and social justice work.  That’s good stuff.”

In his presentations he tries to combat the divisive “Us and Them” type of thinking. He works hard at inviting and equipping people to enter the world of ‘The Other.’

“Making a difference in the world is all about relationships and service,” says Wilkens. “A can-do attitude is invaluable.  Relationships with our Maker and one another propel us into a fantastic adventure of serving others. Stories are the most powerful tool we have been given and when we hear stories of injustice and violence we have to stand up and act.”

Read more about Wilkens' experience in Rwanda in his book, "I'm Not Leaving," available through amazon.com by clicking the link below.

Links:

Wilkens' Book on Amazon