Through God all things are possible
“Ye though I walk through the valley of shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” Psalm 23:4. In my darkest time of trouble I would say this scripture which reminds me that God is aways with me. During exams, family problems, altercations and even through the greatest temptations those words always remained my guide. My experiences with overcoming obsticles can not compare to some of history’s couragous people with remarkable, unforgettable stories. We have all hear the stories of Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks and even Oprah stories. But the one that touched me the most is an Afrcan’s. I assure you, you havent heard a phenomial story like Immaculee Ilibagiza, a Rwandan that survived the most hematic holocaust in history. Immaculee is a perfect example that even in difficult situations God see’s us through
Like Immaculee, she too had testing times. One particular even was when she first discovered there was a tribal difference.At a young age she was discriminated because of her ethnic identity. In primary school Immaculee had to accept new changes. Finding out she belonged to the Tutsi tribe. Immaculee was able to overcome this by accepting change, she educated herself about the tutsi history. As a child she thought that being a Tutsi was a good thing, she thought it was special, she didn’t let it effect the way she thought of others. “Through a child’s eyes(or atleast my eyes), we all seemed to be getting along.” Pg 17. At a young age she felt discriminated in class, once a week during tribal roll call. Immaculee was blinded by the seperation of tribes because of the way she was being raised. This is one of the ways she overcome this situation. Her parents taught her that everyone was the same. “Mom and dad ignored the social and political reality they lived in, instead taught that everyone was born equal”. Pg 16
Everyday was another problem I had to overcome, like the first time I felt different; unhuman. In school the children would tease me about being short, small and funny looking. I knew there was nothing about me to make fun of, but that never stopped the kids from finding something to talk about. “Rat”,” Punk”, “Retard” and “oompa loompa”(willy wonka’s workers) where familiar words to answer to. It was humiliating. Noone knew how deeply it hurt to have ‘friends’ call you ‘nicknames’. At times I would find a stall in thwe bathroom to cry or I would secretly give the other kids the stink eye, which is a mean look almost as if the person smells stink. The name calling was annoying and testing at times. Last Saturday I spent the day with my best friend, just the two of us at her house. I didn’t expect her to go against her parents command and invite boys over, appallingly she did. I didn’t think anything would have happened but we all know guys have a mind of their own. That was a testing part of my life, having to be pressured into having sex and feeling the guilt of disobeying orders. This was a definding moment in my life. Having sex to be popular or backing down and being known as the ‘virgin’. This decision shouldn’t be a difficult one but it was (in my eyes). I thought of what my mother would say and prayed. The outcome? Added names to my degrading list, “whimp” and “loser”. It might have seemedlike a disgrace to the others but it was a honor to me and my family. I fought temptation through God’s help. One of the hardest problems Immaculee faced was getting a scholarship because of her ethic group. This was a definding moment for her. Even though she was apart of a 2nd class group, she didn’t let that deter her from her education. She was one of the top students in her class, there wasno reason she wouldn’t get the scholarship. Immaculee stayed faithful to God, determined and continued to pray.” My parents taught me that with hard work and determination, even a girl from a little village like Mataba could become someone important.” Pg 17. Immaculee didn’t get the scholarship, though she deserved it, yet she never lost sight of her future.Because of her ethnic group she was faced with difficulty, but she had faith in God. From an young age Immaculee accepted disappointment, which was her drive to overcome other obsticles.
In high school Immaculee won a scholarship to one of the best schools in a village for being the most hostile to Tutsi. She had the challenge of staying there for an education and not letting what others say or do affect her. There were times when the outsiders(people behind the gates of the school) never let her forget she was a Tutsi. “we’ll kill you first. We’ll make you pay for what your rebel brothers are doing!” pg 26. She stayed strong with the support of her family and friends. Even with the simple tasks as doin homework or taking a test her brother would encourage her to continue to pray. I believe during her school years Immaculee grew mentally. She stayed positive and devoted most of her time to studying. Even with the local radio stations reporting negative rumors about the Tutsi. Immaculee kept a positive attitude and remind faithful to her belief. My little altercations cant compare to Immaculee’s. My parents always taught me to have manners and respect. Sometimes I wonder if God puts a test to that teaching. There was a time I was at the food store, approaching the register a gentlemen verbally attacked me for jumping the line. I didn’t want to disrespect him , clearly he saw it fit to disrespect me. The man started to shout, “dumb bitch” and “ignorant fool”. I could have insulted him, instead I said these words, “Lord keep me near the cross”. I allowed the man in front of me to dismay the whole scene. Imamaculee showed me how to look pass people’s irrogance, forgive and bless. Immaculee posess a quality that help her through life changing situations.
Throughtout my personal experience I don’t think I have ever been through an antagonistic event as immaculee’s. Immaculee grew spiritually during the genocide, having to connect with God throughout three bloody months. She was strong in her belief as a Catholic. She learned to forgive the people that killed her family, abused,torture and degrade innocent people.Her spiritual qualities and outrageous character showed during that time. Even when she heard horrible stories about her family she forgave. When her childhood friends turn against her she perserved. The pastor would treat thdm like pigs, she stayed positive. She grew during that time by having faith to stay alive to tell her story. “With God all things are possible”. Imaculee grew spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically, something I can’t say about all of the unforgettable people in history. Immaculee was a normal girl trying to make something of herself when the awful occurred. She is the reason I continue to do my best. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever and ever Amen “Psalms 23:6.