This Voice in My Heart

I knew a man when I lived in Austin named Gilbert Tuhabonye. Gilbert, or T-Bone, is an incredible runner and a local celebrity with many devoted followers called "Gilbert's Gazelles". The Gazelles are a group that Gilbert teaches how to run through an organization called Run-Tex, which is really a world class joint. Austinites are lucky to have Gilbert, Paul Carrozza, and the Run-Tex team.

What I learned about Gilbert was that he was a survivor of the genocide that took place in Burundi in the early 1990's. He had a miraculous escape from a mass murder of which he was the only survivor. He still has many scars on his body from the ordeal, but he has an amazing story of courage, strength, and faith. And his perspective on life is inspiring. What is really amazing is his ability to forgive the men who tried to kill him, and did kill many of his family and friends. I wish I had gotten to spend more time getting to know him better.

Gilbert wrote a book called "This Voice in My Heart" that tells his story. I just read it for the second time and I am thankful that he wrote it all down so that others can be encouraged.