In 1994, along with the rest of the world, Becky and I closely followed the daily news reports of the horrifying genocide happening in Rwanda. I trusted then that I would someday visit Rwanda to witness it’s miraculous recovery. My first visit finally came in 2005 and I was humbled to learn of the resiliency and grace of the Rwanda people. I was also able to identify and purchase special lots of Rwanda’s high quality coffee, a small token of support for their rehabilitation of a very special country and coffee growing regions.
Coincidentally, years after the genocide, Becky and I had the privilege of meeting Carl and Teresa Wilkens in our hometown of Spokane. The Wilkens were doing humanitarian work in Rwanda when the genocide began. When droves of westerners and Europeans were leaving, Carl stayed and he tells his remarkable story in a lovely book titled, “I’m not leaving.”