I am a mother, grandmother, woman of faith and wife from Rwanda, a beautiful country with a painful history. During the Rwandan genocide of 1994, we lost almost 1,000,000 people. I survived. Many that I know did not.

Fourteen years later, oppression and persecution that marked much of my life finally forced me to leave my homeland. Overnight, I lost my home and every material position that I’d spent nearly 40 years earning. And, I had to leave behind what mattered more than anything to me: my husband and beloved children. My journey was full of pain, fear, and confusion.

Arriving in the United States, I connected with Bridge Refugee Services, the only resettlement agency in East Tennessee since 1982.  I felt full of hope for the first time as the case manager and volunteers from Northside Christian Church warmly welcomed me.

Over the following year, I began slowly building relationships, finding my place in the community, and two years later I was reunited with my husband and children.

My story is not that different from many refugees or yours. Losing all or leaving everything behind. Unable to say goodbye to and bury my mother and father. Starting from scratch. Disoriented, confused, and afraid in a foreign land.

Refugees are regularly viewed as a problem, but the truth is we are full of potential. Listen to our stories and you will hear lessons of resilience, hope, empathy, forgiveness, and love that our world desperately needs to hear.

If you are suffering from a material loss, unexpected health diagnosis, breakage in relationship, separation from your children, do not give up, remain faithful and shine a light on the promise and prosperity that can come from after darkness. Hold your head up and rise!