MPress

It's Only Impossible until it's been Done

Inspiration from Rwanda

The BergerMan was in Rwanda' capitol city Kigali July 4th 2019 - the 25th anniversary of "Liberation Day" when Rwandans celebrate the end of the Genocide where over a million Rwandans (Mostly Tutsi) were killed in 100 days. If you do the math, that averages out to about 1 person killed every 8.6 seconds for over 3 months. The scope of this crime against humanity is difficult to understand. It was not executed by an invading army with aerial bombardments , but by friends, neighbors, and family members wielding machetes and nail studded clubs.

If you didn't know it was happening, you are not alone. We were largely busy watching Friends, ER, and My So-Called Life.

If your only exposure is the successful movie Hotel Rwanda, then you have seen what locals think of as a "Disney version" of the event. With a war-criminal painted as a hero.

But this post is not about the horror.

This post is about forgiveness. Unbelievable, Impossible, you've-got-to-be-kidding-me levels of forgiveness. Along with reconciliation.

"We are all Rwandans Now!" followed by a big smile.

Rwanda is not a war-lord controlled semi-legitimate government. Rwanda has:

• 10% GDP growth for 9-years running.
• MASSIVE education initiatives.
• A growing middle class open to all that work for it.
• 50% of the government posts are held by women.

Rwanda is proud to be recognized as "The Cleanest Country in Africa".

Rwanda has HOPE!

One of the organizations instrumental to this success is the Aegis Trust. The BergerMan met representative of Aegis Trust while at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. There were follow up emails, and video conferences with the organizations leadership. Aegis works to prevent genocide and mass atrocities worldwide. They have a successful peace education program and are actively saving lives in Sudan, the Central African Republic and elsewhere.

The BergerMan has returned from Rwanda inspired. Ready to change the world.

Are you ready to have an MPAct on the world?

MPathy at Circle K

The other day I was filling up my daughter's car with gas. I had borrowed it because my car would not start.

A young man was going through the trash bins collecting recyclables. He approached me and politely asked if I could spare some change.

I told him that I was sorry, but I only carried "plastic" and had no currency to share. He thanked me anyway and moved on to the bins in front of the Circle K.

When I was done with the gasoline. I thought I would get myself a drink. I called the man collecting cans and bottles and offered to buy him a meal. He humbly accepted.

I told him that we all have challenges to overcome, and that I had just completed cancer treatment. His challenges were different, but could be overcome.

He celebrated my completion of Chemo and asked if the 3-piece fried chicken meal would be OK. I asked him if 3 pieces would fill him up, and if not, he was to order a meal that would. He accepted my generosity and selected a bigger meal.

When I went to the register with my fountain drink I asked the clerk if the young man's meal included a beverage. It did not. I instructed my new friend to get something to drink. He walked over to the coolers an I fully expected to see him return with a beer (which I would have purchased) but he returned with a bottle of soda.

He borrowed the keys to the restroom so that he could wash-up before eating.

As I returned to and re-entered my daughter's car, he was exiting the building. With a big smile, and much thanks, he was gone from my life.

The whole transaction cost me about $11 including my fountain drink. Cheaper than my hospital co-pays and very likely as effective (or more) in restoring my well being!

Operation Wellness. The battle continues.