The IAFR Blog

Video: Pastor Gatera shares his story of forced displacement (4 minutes)

I hope to feel at home as I visit a homeland I've never seen.

I spent my life in refugee camps until I came to the U.S. I didn't feel like I belonged anywhere. Now, I am going "home" to my extended family in Burundi for the first time. I hope that I will not feel like a stranger.

I feel uncertain.

My Father is a retired pastor. He is aging, and I feel visiting him while he is still living is important.

Because I left my family before some of my siblings were born, I will be meeting a couple of them for the first time. I will also meet a number of relatives for the first time, so it will be a family reunion of sorts. I hope our week together will be filled with sweet fellowship.

I am looking forward to going home, but I also feel uncertain because I don't know my family's expectations of me. I hope to feel at ease like one does when they are with their family.

Pastoring Full Circle

My father visited my family in Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya shortly before we were resettled to the U.S. While with us, he took time to minister to my church in the refugee camp. Now, it is my turn to visit him and minister to pastors in my home country. I have been asked to teach at a conference for one hundred pastors while there.

Family Roots in the Future

As I visit my homeland, I am hopeful I will begin building a platform for my children to connect to their family roots in the future. When they travel someday, I want them to feel connected to their home and family in Burundi, even though their primary home is in the U.S.

It will be good to finally be home.

As I prepare to go, I feel both joy and uncertainty. I don't know what to expect. But I know my family will receive me, and it will be good to finally come home.

CLICK HERE to learn more about Pastor Gatera's story and work!