Naomi Law: A journey touched by kindness from the Congo to America
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is the distant home of an increasing number of Knox and Warren County residents. The Congo is a country located in Central Africa.
With our increasing number of Congolese neighbors, it has become increasingly relevant to know something about the journey and the people. This is an introduction to one of our neighbors, Josue Bashombe. He took the journey from the Congo to, of all places, Galesburg, Illinois.
Josue was working on a scholarship application and asked for suggestions. He came to my home and we shared a meal and then began to complete the form. During our discussion, I learned some interesting things about this brave and kind young man.
Josue is short in stature but gigantic in determination, enthusiasm, and commitment. He seems fearless. His positive nature attracts kindness from others. His journey reflects that time and time again.
Josue had come over 7,540 miles to pursue his dreams! He did not travel with a group of people. He came alone. He was not escaping anything or anyone. He was flying toward his dream of becoming … an astronaut.
Josue began his journey from the Congo to America with an interview at the Embassy. He needed to obtain a VISA to come to the United States. A kind Congolese businessman assisted him with the application process. Upon receiving the VISA, Josue began his first international flight.
Josue does not know anyone to be a stranger. He is always looking for new friends. This is especially true when the person is from his home country. Josue traveled with the businessman who was returning to his home in Bloomington. The gentleman invited Josue to join him on his return to his family. Josue was their guest for a couple of hours and then the journey continued.
Josue needed to find employment. Work was reportedly available near Galesburg. He was told that many Congolese people had found jobs at Monmouth’s Smithfield Foods Inc. It is a pork producer and food-processing company. It is said that the work there is very intense.
Josue moved to Galesburg on faith. His faith led him to meet Pastor Eddy Ino and his wife, Marie-France Iieka, and their children. The family invited Josue to live with them. They worship together at The International Ministry for the Salvation of Souls in Galesburg. This is where Josue found even more kindness.
Josue was now worshiping, living and working in his new country. He admits that “it was scary at first but later everything became all right.” Again, kindness was a big factor in this journey.
Speaking of kindness and compassion, Josue is strengthened by weekly conversations with his mother, Willermine Nakinja. She still lives in the Congo but maintains contact with Josue and his siblings. His father passed away in 2017. The majority of Josue’s older siblings are professionals and the youngest is attending high school.
Josue plans to receive an associate degree in science in 2023. He will then pursue a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering. That will be followed by an advanced degree.
Josue wants to build airplanes and missiles. His long-term goal is to become an astronaut. He desires to become the first Congolese born naturalized American citizen to take the journey to outer space.
Dear readers, Josue is now a full-time student at Carl Sandburg College. Even while maintaining a high grade point average, he finds time to be very involved in his adopted community.
He has volunteered for the Knox County Health Department, YMCA and many other organizations. At Carl Sandburg, he is the president of the Student Government Association, president of Men of Distinction, member of the Black Student Association, Hispanic Latino Student Association, Phi Theta Kappa and several other student groups.
While Josue was the captain of the Men of Distinction, the group was the first student organization to receive the United Way’s Catalyst for Change Award. One of his other outstanding experiences was spending a day in Springfield as an honorary page with State Rep. Dan Swanson. Josue’s combination of kindness and knowledge has taken him far.
Josue was one of the organizers of the June 30th Lipanda Day celebration. It is the Congolese Independence Day.
This year it included festivities in Galesburg’s Park Plaza. It was a celebration for EVERYBODY. And, everybody came.
Folks danced, sang and ate together. Children and adults read and learned about Congolese culture and people. The community united to make Galesburg a better informed and kinder place.
Someday, Josue Bashombe may speak in any one of his five languages to world leaders. And, he could soar into outer space. Perhaps he will recall the kindness of Illinois. I, for one, am glad that he made us part of his journey.
Naomi Law is a retired educator and administrator. She is the author of two books, “The Adventures of Orie, the Orpheum Mouse” and “Jump, Drew Jump!”
This article originally appeared on Galesburg Register-Mail: Naomi Law: A journey touched by kindness from the Congo to America
