Published March 9, 2020
“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8
A foreign language, an unfamiliar system, another culture. Studying abroad is a challenge in and of itself. But what if you have to plan not only for yourself but for two children as well?
This story is about God’s own plan for a student and mother, and her faith and trust in God and in His plan. It is also an example of how God blessed our congregations in their work together.
Dorothy Mbabazi is a wife and mother of two children, and a citizen of Uganda. She wished to study in the United States to obtain her master’s degree. It would be a three year commitment.
In May of 2019, Dorothy applied for a visa to come to the United States to study at Judson University in Elgin, Illinois. Working through her school in Kampala, Uganda, she applied and was accepted into her program at Judson. Her studies at Judson were to begin the first week of August.
The visa process for foreign students who wish to study in the United States is complicated. Applying for a US student visa can be a long process, so you normally have to start preparing well in advance, at least three to five months before your courses are due to start.
There are usually several steps to apply for a US student visa.
- Apply to and be accepted by a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-approved school in the US (six to twelve months prior to US study);
- Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee;
- Complete a US student visa application;
- Pay the visa application fee;
- Schedule and attend a visa interview.
Few make it to the interview process, but on July 31, Dorothy had her interview, only one week before school started.
Dorothy arrived in the United States early August 2019. By God’s plan, connections were made that would greatly impact not only her transition into the college, but also her two children. A support system unlike any other was unfolding.
In order to facilitate her move and transition to the United States, Dorothy worked with the international studies department at her school in Kampala. The international studies department had connections with Judson University. A staff person at Judson University connected her with St. John’s Lutheran Church in Algonquin, Illinois.
The church community embraced Dorothy and her children. Pastor Brian Lee, along with members of St. John’s Lutheran Church, had one week to prepare for her arrival. St. John’s made ready the parsonage for her and her children to live in. But that proved to be both a blessing and an obstacle. Dorothy could not enroll her children in public school without a permanent address. The parsonage was not considered a permanent residence because she was not paying rent nor did she own it. Rent could not be charged since the property fell under non-profit, tax exempt status. But God’s plan for her children’s education would reveal itself.
Pastor Lee contacted Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in East Dundee. Pastor Lee, Pastor Bill Yonker, (Senior Pastor at Immanuel), and Principal Sue Domeier – all keeping the main thing the main thing – were able to have Dorothy’s children enroll in Immanuel’s school and receive a Christian education – exactly what we do this for. And to facilitate the children’s attendance, a member of St. John’s who had children attending Immanuel was able to provide transportation for the children to and from school.
When speaking about her transition to the US, Dorothy’s finds herself repeating the same words over and over. “Grateful beyond measure; beyond grateful; touched beyond measure.” And she wears a red band on her wrist to remind herself of how God stretches us.
She put her trust in God and took steps of faith, knowing Jesus would be there. And He has filled her and her children’s cup. The kindness of the church families has surrounded her with a blanket of love and support. She is grateful that her children have the opportunity to be fed the Word daily.
Dorothy has a sense of humor about this all, too. She prays “God, keep holding my hand. Do not leave me because if you do, in this foreign country there’s winter to experience.” But again, God provides. St. John’s, recognizing that the cold weather was soon to arrive, provided the family with winter wear.
Her children, Margaret and Vil, are a delight as well and share her sense of humor. Margaret says of Pastor Baerwolf, who teaches her confirmation, “It’s like he was teaching second graders.” She is used to a more rigid and formal classroom environment. But there is an appreciation for the support and accommodations Immanuel makes for them. American History and Spanish had stressed them because they had not been exposed to these subjects previously. They had no experience using Chromebooks. But, the teachers accommodate and support them continuously through their new experiences.
Best of all for the children, they like the food here—it’s very sweet in comparison to their own Ugandan food. And even more a blessing, Dorothy prays for all every night.
We thank God for the good works which He prepared in advance for our congregations to do (Ephesians 2:10) in supporting this sister in Christ.