This Voice in My Heart: A Runner's Memoir of Genocide, Faith, and Forgiveness

by Gilbert Tuhabonye

Book Overview

Gilbert Tuhabonye was a teenager at school in Burundi, Africa, when the centuries-old conflict between the Hutu and Tutsi tribes came into his life. Tuhabonye was herded into a small room with his fellow Tutsi students and teachers, where Hutus beat most of them to death, doused them with gasoline, and set them on fire.

Tuhabonye hid under burning bodies for more than eight hours before making his escape, the only survivor of the massacre...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060817534
• ISBN13: 9780060817534
• Release Date: May 2007
• Publisher: Amistad Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

An Amazing Story

"This Voice in My Heart" is an extraordinary true-life story. Compelling and well-written, this autobiographical account gives readers insight into a remarkable individual living through a horrific experience. Readers will become much more aware of the continued cultural unrest in Burundi and Rwanda but moreover, be amazed at Gilbert's progress from barefoot child living in a hut with no running water or electricity to a college graduate living in the US as a successful professional athlete and coach. "This Voice in My Heart" will appeal to wide variety of readers - from casual to competitive runners, anyone interested in the ongoing dispute between the Tutsi and Hutus, or anyone who enjoys an account of how a relationship with God can guide an individual through what seems to be an impossible situation. What this book does not capture is how wonderful it is to meet or be coached by Gilbert. Rather than shy and untrusting, Gilbert is always giving, offering laughter and encouragement for all those he touches and is a powerful positive influence with an outstanding spirit. Most readers won't have this opportunity, however knowing Gilbert in this way makes this story all that more amazing.

WOW...!!!!

I just finished "This Voice in My Heart", and it is amazing and compelling. I am one of Gilbert's Gazelles, and he has an enormous spirit. He is a fabulous runner and a terrific coach, and more important, a wonderful person with a heart of gold. We all have read about atrocities that have occurred around the world, but to read a first-hand account of these horrible events happening to someone you know, it's really difficult to fathom. Gilert's book is page-turning. The picture he paints of his traditional African childhood on the mountains of Burundi has stayed with me even after I set the book down -- it felt like I was transported to a magical and beautiful place, totally foreign to the frenetic and convenience-driven society in which we live here in America. The descriptions are vibrant and robust and make me appreciate the Burundi culture of agriculture, nature, hard work, music, and tradition. The description of the events of Gilbert's horrific near-death was breath-taking... It was like driving by an awful car accident -- we don't want to see any more because it seems so horrible and unfathomable, but we're drawn to it to learn as much as we can. The writing style of this book is very descriptive and draws the reader in to the situation, making it hard to put the book down. The fact that Gilbert could recover fully, run again, win championships, and forgive is truly remarkable. He has been blessed to lead a full life to date -- with much more happiness to come. That Gilbert could rise from the sadness of that terrible day and embrace happiness and joy in life is a true testament to his tremendous spirit and positive outlook. One of my favorite passages is this: "If I were to place on a scale all the bad things that had happened to me and my family on one side and all the kindness and generosity on the other, the goodness in people would far outweigh the bad." This is a story of hope and inspiration, and most important, a lesson to us to never give up in the face of hardship.

Listen to the "Voice"

"In a world desperate for love to conquer the hatred, peace to counter the strife, and joy to carry us out of the despair - God sent Gilbert Tuhabonye. Pain and suffering heaped upon Gilbert during the genocide in Burundi did not embitter him. Quite the opposite. He is the 21st century equivalent of Joseph who proclaimed to his tormentors, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done..." (Genesis 50:20). From this heart flows 'Joy First', impacting all swept up in its current. I count myself blessed among many. Listen to the 'voice in his heart' and you, too, will never be the same." Rev. Chris Schrader, Ph.D. A Touch of Grace - Austin, Texas

Amazing story of strength; Amazing eye opener

A captivating must read! Gilbert's story of the personal strength required to survive a horrific attack, his perseverence, and his success as an athlete are all amazing. I am in awe of his spirit and his ability to move beyond the atrocities of the genocidal attack to become an inspiration to others. This book is also an eye opener and a reminder to learn about and fight the inexcusable pain inflicted on so many people worldwide. I am 30, approximately the same age as Gilbert, and the book highlighted for me that, at the same time Gilbert was fleeing the wrath of his tormentors, I was sitting in an American school, woefully uneducated about the genocide taking place. Read this book; spread the word.

Awesome!

I'm in awe of Gilbert after training with him and even more so after learning about his life. His charisma, love for life and dedication to those around him shine through even after extreme adversity. His book is a testimonial to his quality of character as a role model and a true leader.