Written by: Jared Benoit, volunteer with Language in Action, a G.O.D. Int’l Program
Recently I had the opportunity to visit a dear friend, and meet his family for the first time. Semohoro Evariste has been a participant and an interpreter for Language in Action for the last four years. Evariste came to America as a refugee just over four years ago. He came alone, leaving his wife and five of their six kids behind him in Rwanda. Their oldest daughter had arrived in the U.S. three years prior and had gotten married in the meantime.
For refugees, there is a lottery system that dictates who comes, and when. Often, refugees waiting to come to a country like America will have to make the hard choice to leave their families behind so they can go ahead and set up a good life when they are chosen in hopes that the rest of their families are not far behind them. Often they find this hope is not what occurs. They are far too often separated for many years.
After four years, Evariste was reunited with his family
Evariste’s family has finally come to America after four hard years of being separated. It is such a wonderful thing to witness. The love in their household is unmeasurable. The hospitality we experienced from Evariste and his family was warm and welcoming. The meal they shared with us was beyond delicious. It reminded me of my time in Uganda a few years ago. I felt a longing to return but a comfort of connectedness that I can recount as something only felt in Christ.
'So he came and proclaimed peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near; for through him both of us have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, ' Ephesians 2:17-19
We introduced ourselves to each other, telling stories about what had happened and how we were connected. Evariste’s wife, Valentine Nyiraruhanga, testified how she has known and loved us as though we had already met from the stories Evariste has shared with her and the prayers she has prayed for us. We shared the same testimony with her. We were certainly connected the entire time. Praise the Lord.
Evariste and his wife have six children: Beatrice (27), who is married with 2 sons; Mucyo (24) still living in Africa; Taylor (22); Grace (19); Shalom (16) and Calmella (4). Mucyo was left because he was considered too old to need to come, being over the age of 21.
Evariste’s wife, Valentine, and children numbers three through six reunited with their father and oldest sister, along with her two children. They met Beatrice's two sons for the first time. In fact, Beatrice and her youngest sister, Calmella, got to meet for the first time also.
Despite difficult circumstances, Evariste was characterized by faith and Generosity
As a father, I still reflect on times that I used to travel for work. I would sometimes be away from my family for a couple of weeks. The longer I was away from them, the harder it was mentally. I cannot imagine having my family in an environment that I had no control over, without any access to them - for four years.
The faith I have witnessed knowing Evariste over the last four years has been encouraging. He never gave up his faith and hope. He continued to do God’s work as a connecting agent for many other refugees who needed resources. Getting to meet his family brings it all together. The Bible teaches us that when we are weakest, God works hardest, and our faith grows strongest. Evariste is a perfect example of this. We were all connected in Spirit the whole time.
'but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. ' 2 Corinthians 12:9
What a wonderful gift it is to witness a family reunited. These are the kinds of things that make the hours poured into programs like English Language Learning teaching worth every moment. It is life-changing. Knowing the language of the land makes it so that you can not only survive, but you can thrive. Evariste and his family are thriving today.
Join me in praying that they are reunited with their oldest son Mucyo in the near future. I am grateful for God and how he has intervened in this family to bring them back together. God is so good.
The Language in Action program serves immigrants and refugees here in Nashville every week. To give in support of this program, click the link above.
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