By Chelsea Menshek
For the Daily Titan

The IUCC hosted "An Evening with Carl Wilkens" Oct. 10. Photo courtesy of Anshul Mittal

Carl Wilkens, 51, was the only American who chose to stay in Rwanda during the genocide where almost one million people were slaughtered in just 100 days. He was former head of Adventist Development and Relief Agency International. Now, Wilkens and his wife Teresa are "Pedaling 2 Peace." They are touring the country from their hometown of Spokane, Washington to Washington D.C. on bike. They plan on traveling 4,600 miles in nine months while raising awareness for genocide.

“An Evening with Carl Wilkens” was held at the United Congressional Church in Irvine Saturday night. The program was created with the help of organizations like OC For Darfur and Amnesty International.  Many Orange County residents came to hear his ideas and stories first-hand.

Wilkens stood on the front stage of the church with his computer and a projector explaining to his audience his experiences with pictures.

Wilkens explained how people are all connected in this world and affected by others. He gave an example of a little boy in Africa who did well in school.  The boy managed to get into secondary school, which isn't easy. He did so well in secondary school that he earned a scholarship and came to America. He moved to Hawaii, fell in love with an American woman and got married. They had a baby boy. The baby would grow up to be President Barack Obama.

"Can anybody deny how we are connected?" Wilkens asked.  "Just completely connected? This global community is not just somebody's phrase; it is such a reality. So many times we recognize our global community unfortunately only under the directs of fear and terrorists and that we need to understand our community better so that we can provide security. But in reality we need to just realize: them are us.”

Wilkens believes that genocide stems from an ideology that says, "My world would be better without you in it."

"I think that kind of thinking often comes to my mind," Wilkens said. "I don't want to kill anybody; I get involved with exclusive problem solving where I solve the problem by excluding. It is temporary at best and its genocide at worst."

"I have so many reasons (for moving) but the most prominent one was war," said Wai John Wai, a 24-year-old-from Sudan now living in San Diego. "Things like genocide, with one side trying to eliminate the other; they are both being victimized and they didn't ask for that. So somebody needs to step in."

Wai was living in Sudan and experienced the killings and hatred first hand. However, even in the U.S. he is considered different.

"I can see that I am different. It’s something that everyone goes through. I don't consider myself the other. There is majority and the other is always going to be the minority," Wai said.

Julie Turner, 28, who also attended the event and said she must keep tabs on herself in order to not put a large gap between herself and others.

"I like what Carl said about just keeping yourself in check constantly," Turner said. "Because I find myself doing the same thing, unfortunately, even though I believe in God and equality. But keep yourself in check constantly."

Wilkens has saved hundreds of lives including around 400 from the Gisimba Orphanage in Kigali, Rwanda.

Carl Wilkens speaks to the audience at the United Congressional Church in Irvine Saturday night. Photo courtesy of Anshul Mittal

Wilkens said he feels that there is only so much people can do, and only so much they should do, because change has to stem from people themselves.

"It seems like when we respond we don't seem to take (the people who we are helping’s) counsel. We don't seem to come and say, you know, how can we work with you?" Wilkens said. "We can't solve the problem. Problems have to be solved by the people themselves but can we help those who are working to solve the problems."

Wilkens said he is against violence; he never once carried a gun when he was in Sudan. People offered him weapons but he refused. He doesn't believe that people have to kill someone to save someone else's life. Rockets flew overhead so regularly that his pet African Grey parrot learned to mimic the sounds of the rockets. Even the Red Cross couldn't travel around the city.

Recently, President Obama said to the UN General Assembly: "We will pursue a lasting peace with Sudan through the support for the people of Darfur and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, so that we secure peace that the Sudan people deserve."

He promised unstinting resolve when he appointed Maj. Gen. Scott Gration to be his special envoy in Sudan.

"I think that this Nobel Peace Prize will help build momentum," Wilkens said. "There are a lot of factors that tend to limit us but I still choose to believe that he will, he will follow through and the question will be how fast and to what level."

"I'm optimistic; I have to remain optimistic,” Wilkens added. "And by staying optimistic we will find ways that we can help (Obama) do that. That's what I got to be looking for, not is he going to do it or not, but what can I do to help him."

Wilkens has already started to develop this way of thinking.

"Just how we have to intervene, I don't know," Wilkens said.

Genocide and war still exist around the world. Places like the Congo and people like the Armenians are still subjected to persecution, he said.

Wilkens believes he can make a difference and bring peace to his immediate world, while working toward peace for others.

"I’m not sure how much time I give to the thought of complete peace everywhere anymore,” he said. “My time is spent on how can I bring peace where I am and the countries I feel drawn to.”