(NOTE: Thankfully, our three-person team made it to Rwanda, Burundi and back to the United States safely without any major incidents. Personally, the trip to Rwanda and Burundi was a lot for me to process. However, I didn’t want to write anything lengthy until I had time to “sit” with my thoughts for a bit. At the time of this first writing - I’ve only been back in the states for just under 48 hours hours. Yet I realize this is an opportunity to give you a sense of my experience and thoughts. So what you are about to read is still somewhat of a work in process. Feel free to leave comments. And “Thank you” to all who prayed for us while we were gone. - Allen Paul Weaver III, June 4, 2008, New York, 6:53am E.S.T.)

WHAT IS YOUR NAME?

“I never understood the power names contain - These words which define who we are either build us up or tear us down… The power of the name makes us believe - We take on the characteristics it implies - but this power is nothing if we deny its acceptance.” (Allen Paul Weaver III, Transition: Breaking Through the Barriers, IUniverse, 2006, p. 78)

It amazes me at how a name’s connotation (whether justified or not) affects our actions and inactions. In my own life, opportunities were either accepted or rejected based on how I viewed the situation through the lens of the “name” for myself. If I felt incapable or afraid, then I usually rejected the opportunity. If I felt confident, then I accepted. If someone else felt sure that I possessed the necessary skills to get the job done… then I would be more likely to take it on… yet not always. I’d rather play things “safe” than go to where the “danger” might be. But isn’t this what we all do? In some way we struggle with who we are and what we are capable of accomplishing. Yet, the only way for us to know what we can accomplish is by doing… by taking the risk and going into the unknown - not by always playing things safe. We have to name our fears and concerns and even our dreams - then confront them head on. Everyday we choose either to go forward in faith or to retreat in fear. Everyday we can choose to grow or to remain where we are; and here I was with a choice placed in front of me… to either accept or reject. I was being sent to Rwanda.

GENUINE CONCERNS AND FAULTY EXPECTATIONS…

“You’re going to Rwanda?!”
“Have you seen the movie Hotel Rwanda?”
“Aren’t they still killing people over there?”
“Is it safe?”
“I’ll be praying for you.”

This was the central reaction of almost everyone who found out that I was preparing to go on assignment to Central Africa for two weeks of documentary filming. “I’m also going to the neighboring country of Burundi.” “Burundi? Where’s that?” No one had even heard of Burundi. The name Rwanda overshadowed everything. Very few were excited about my trip. Most wanted me to stay in the U.S. I must admit, my reaction wasn’t much different. All I had to go on, just over one month before the trip, was my ignorance, some vague memories of sparse media coverage back in 1994 and the movie Hotel Rwanda. “We’re they still killing each other over there?” What happens if I go? It took a lot of praying and some research for me to be at peace about going to this part of the world to investigate life-change stories made possible through the power of God’s Word.

In recent years the name and people of Rwanda have been characterized by a single catastrophic event: the 1994 Genocide where over one million people were murdered in 100 days. The numbers seem incomprehensible. A single name had caused me to fear. That name, Rwanda, invoked a harsh imagery which, in the minds of many, overshadowed and characterized its past, present and future… What would happen on this journey? Here I was, having already traveled eight times to West Africa, as a documentary filmmaker, and now I’d been given another opportunity of a lifetime. But this wasn’t like traveling to another state. Africa is a continent and the West African languages and customs I was familiar with would most likely not apply to Central Africa.

THE JOURNEY…

My only choice was to go forward. But I would not be going alone. Two others would be making this journey as well: Drew and Leah Hood - a Philadelphia based, photo-journalistic team from Throwing Light. We had never met, but only shared a couple of phone conversations as preparations for this trip were made. Finally our passports were ready; Visas were secured; shots had been received and Malaria pills were taken… On Wednesday, May 21st the three of us met in Atlanta and began our 20+ hour journey to Central Africa… more than enough time to get to know each other. We were excited about our journey, yet nervous about the unknown.

After about eight hours of travel, we found ourselves in Brussels, Belgium waiting for our connecting flight. I very much wanted to get an authentic Belgium waffle, layered with hot maple syrup and melted butter, and a nice tall glass of milk; but the hassle of exiting and re-entering through the security checkpoints proved to be enough of a deterrent. I loved waffles, but this joy would have to wait till later… maybe on the return trip back to the United States. After a few hours, we boarded our plane and were off on the third leg of our journey: eight more hours to Central Africa.

We arrived on Thursday evening, May 22nd. After passing through customs and gathering our baggage, the three of us met our hosts, from the Bible Society of Rwanda, and were taken to the hotel where we would be spending the next five nights. As we drove through the streets of Kigali, Rwanda’s capital city, I couldn’t help but notice the familiar “feel” to Kumasi, the second largest city in Ghana, West Africa. We checked into our hotel and had just enough time to eat at its restaurant and talk about our gratefulness to God for a safe trip and the itinerary for the next few days. Then it was time to sleep. I’m not sure about Drew and Leah, but I knew I was exhausted.

THE DAWN OF TRUTH

The next morning, as the birds began to sing and the sun pierced across the horizon in hues of red that colored the deep blue sky, I discovered that the name, Rwanda, had a completely different connotation. What was shrouded in darkness the night before was revealed in the light. Rwanda’s pride and joy… was its mountains. It was the “The Land of a Thousand Hills.”

Over the next few days Drew, Leah and I traveled through the capital city and its surrounding countryside as we visited two prisons, met with HIV/AIDS groups, interacted with children, teachers, and took a walking tour of some of the residential areas. We also ate some great traditional and contemporary food! We met so many gracious people and were amazed at the growing development of the country as well as those areas where it seemed poverty abounded. It was hard to believe that the Genocide had even happened… yet there were several very real reminders. When we spoke to people, some shared about their experience. The hurt and pain ran deep beneath their beautiful smiles… There was no one in Kigali who was not affected by this Event in some way. And yet Kigali was only one city among many geographical locations where this tragedy took place. Many of those we spoke with looked at life as “before” and “after” the Genocide. There were also the memorials around the city (the main one we toured) which stand as constant reminders to everyone - that we are never to forget what happened here. We are to always remember our loved ones who died and those who killed them. And in order for our future to be secure, we must face our past head on… pressing towards justice and reconciliation - within ourselves, with each other and with God.

“The power of the name makes us believe…” We can choose to either believe towards death or to believe for life.

A NEW EXISTENCE…

The people of Rwanda were determined to be known not just for their tragedy, which the world at large mostly ignored and downplayed to mere savagery, but for their ability to grow, learn, and forgive. They wanted to reclaim the power of their name… the power of a dignity and integrity which stretched back before Colonial times. A power that was stripped from them and replaced with a counterfeit meaning… On a personal level, as I looked into the eyes of each person I encountered, I could see and begin to understand this truth about my own life and the lives of those I knew back home. Don’t we seek to reclaim a name of power and dignity which has somehow been lost or stripped away? Don’t we battle with negative names, meanings, and connotations that were spoken over us by others and even repeated to ourselves at times, by our own voice?

“What is your name? Are you like me? If so, that’s good, I’ve decided to break free. Free from the stereotypes and negativity - Every name used to wrongfully enslave me - I start with God’s Word, since He made me - Looking for the names that build and strengthen - Every name filled with “positivity” - Every adjective, which reveals my capability - Every good and perfect gift sent from above to me - That somehow I’ve clouded out… unable to be loved - But that’s the lie of the devil - A conspiracy by the enemy - To get me to defeat myself - To not see God’s image in me.” (Transition, p. 79)

With each passing day, I began to understand more about a people I never knew nor truly cared to know about until now. We were the same… unique… but the same… Rwanda was not a place to be feared any longer… its original intent as being “The Land of a Thousand Hills” was being reclaimed… It is now in the process of becoming a place where you can look up and dream of a present and future that is bright.

The Rwanda-Burundi Chronicles: EXPECTATIONS Part 1 of 4

-Allen Paul Weaver III -

Don’t miss the next entry which will chronicle my experience at the Kigali Memorial Center. Coming Thursday June 4, 2008.