by Evariste Ndikumana, African Road Changemaker
It has always been my dream to discover the United States of America in its entirety and to see all my dear friends from Oregon and California. Now my dream has become reality!
I did not go alone on this nice trip — I went with my wife, Grace Benie Mugisha. With faith, we were issued visas, even though it is very difficult for Burundian citizens to get American visas. We arrived in Portland on April 25th and were welcomed at the airport by two families: Ken and Kelly Bean and Bob and Christine Brunken. We were a bit shy, but their warm welcome made us feel at ease. They held a sign in their hands which said “you are welcome Grace and Evariste!” They were really happy to welcome us, and we felt that we were coming home to our own family. At the Brunkens’ home, they welcomed us like mother and father, and we were like their son and daughter. They said to us, “do not hesitate to ask us any questions you have because we are here for you.” Wow, what a beautiful story of family love. The first week was a week of introduction to American culture; all the families that we stayed with wanted us to see everything in the few days that we spent in Portland. We were cared for with happy faces by our hosts and all the people we met. None of them wanted us to miss anything we needed.
With hosts and Bend First Presbyterian team members
On the day of the Gala, we had time before the main ceremony to meet the volunteers who served in preparations. It was our great joy to discover the effectiveness and professionalism with which African Road works. We were so impressed by all the people who work there as volunteers to help the Gala be a success.
On stage with board member Joni Powers at the 2018 African Road Gala
After two weeks in Portland, we went to San Francisco, California. We were welcomed there by Jenny Warner, her husband, and her wonderful daughters. We had good times in California, including attending the jazz concert and visiting Portola Valley Presbyterian, which was our first day at a church in the United States.
Evariste and Grace with African Road board chair Jenny Warner and Portola Valley Presbyterian community members
I will never forget the week with my Bend Presbyterian family and the smiling faces of Maggie and Rick and Jacquie and their families. At the First Presbyterian Church, I could not hold back my tears in front of this church that was the first to start helping our Batwa community back in 2015. I still remember the encouraging words of the pastor and his warm welcome to us. They made us members of this church by giving us handmade prayer shawls for us to put on. I also cannot forget the special morning at the Eugene Wesley United Methodist church, special friends who funded harvest storehouses and a preschool room for Batwa villages, and the experience at Evergreen State College.
Evariste and Grace with Maggie and Rick Hanson, hosts in Bend, OR
Evariste and Grace receive prayer shawls from the Bend First Presbyterian team
Evariste touring the organic farm at Evergreen State College
I could not name all the beautiful things that I discovered and the wonderful people that I met on this page alone, but I could not close it without expressing my heartfelt gratitude to these people: Bob and Christine, Bill and Teresa, Susanne, Chris, and Hannah, Scott, Laura and family, Glenda and John, Pastor Jenny, Chris, Audra, and Emmy, Maggie and Rick, Kathryn, Adele, Joe and family, Eddie, Grandma Jane and her husband Jerry, Jackie and Michael, Pastor Steven, Kelly and Ken Bean, Jennifer and Dmitri, Danielle and Emmanuel, Janie and Dennis, and Molly.
Evariste and Grace at Wesley United Methodist Church
We express our special thanks also to African Road, the staff Kelly, Jennifer, and Danielle, and the African Road board members Jennifer Warner, Joni Grace Powers, Carol Lentz and Sean Callaghan. Lastly, we cannot forget to thank all the African Road volunteers for all their care, smiles, and help in making our trip to the U.S. possible.
Learn more about African Road’s partnership with Evariste in our film “Farming, Friendship, and a Way Forward: Progress for the Batwa of Burundi”.