Apr 1, 2021
In April 1994, nine-year-old Jeanne Celestine Lakin's parents
and nearly all of her adult relatives were some of the one million
people killed during the Rwandan government’s ethnic massacre.
For 100 days, Jeanne and her three-year-old twin sisters hid in
bushes to stay safe.
Heartbreaking and unimaginable, Jeanne shares her harrowing
story of survival, courage and strength.
Jeanne reminds us that we all have the power to choose
forgiveness, leave a legacy of peace and move forward.
SHOW NOTES:
- "For nine years, my parents gave me the love to carry me to
this day."
- In addition to having a large immediate + extended family,
Jeanne felt closeness with many other families in her village.
because of how welcoming her parents were.
- Power shift in the 1960s: While being
colonized, Rwanda was divided into ethic groups with the largest
being the Hutus (85%), frequently accompanied by Twa (1%) and the
former ruling class of Tutsis (13-15%).
- April 7, 1994: The Rwandan government
seals the border, preventing any Tutsis from escaping, and in the
following 100 days, over one million people would be
killed.
- Anticipating they'd only have to flee for a few days, Jeanne's
dad divides the children into groups of three. Jeanne, first
seeking refuge with her aunt before being kicked out into the
wilderness, was responsible for her twin three-year-old
sisters.
- In the midst of Rwanda's rainy season + hearing voices of those
being slaughtered, Jeanne relied on prayer and faith to cope with
the chaos.
- Filled with raging pain + defeat after watching her dad get
murdered, Jeanne would pray, "let them be blind and not see
me."
- "Life will continue to happen. It's not necessarily
what happens to us, it's what we do with what
happens."
- After giving her family a proper burial, Jeanne's pregnant
mother was preparing the flee the country prior to April 7. Just
weeks later, Jeanne's uncle shared that her mother and
three-week-old brother was murdered.
- "I'll be with you." At a refuge camp lined up
to be murdered, a woman claims Jeanne as her child, miraculously
sparing her life.
- Unanswered questions: Propaganda fueled
hatred towards Tutsis yet Jeanne chooses to leave a legacy of
peace, honor those lost and express her feelings about her life
experiences.
- “As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my
freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind,
I'd still be in prison.” - Nelson Mandela
- Who do you have to forgive? Forgiving someone
that harmed us isn't letting them off the hook but rather giving
yourself the best gift.
- Learn more about Jeanne Celestine Lakin's non-profit One Million Orphans here.
JEANNE CELESTINE LAKIN'S
LIVE INSPIRED 7
1. What is the best book you’ve ever
read? The Gift by Dr. Edith Eva
Eger.
2. What is a characteristic or trait that you
possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited
today? Extreme mental flexibility.
3. Your house is on fire, all living things and
people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one
item. What would it be? Photo albums of my husband as
a child.
4. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a
gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long
conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
The sweet woman that saved my life.
5. What is the best advice you’ve ever
received? My dad would say, "envision what you want
to be in the world."
6. What advice would you give your 20-year-old
self? Love yourself because when you love yourself you can
go out and love others.
7. It’s been said that all great people can have
their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to
read? I survived and I'm leaving an impact on the
world.
***
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