On a regular basis, veteran church planters listen as another planter shares during their review meeting. Usually, there is time to celebrate ministry victories and retool strategy for the next year.
But sometimes … everything needs to be paused for a time to share something deeper.
One day, church planter Samnas Alemu started to weep as he shared an overwhelming heartache: He had not seen his wife, Tenaye, son, Tinsae, and daughter, Mistre, since he left Ethiopia in 2013.
When Alemu originally left Ethiopia, an extended separation from his family was never a part of his plan. He left Ethiopia due to persecution in his country and quickly began the process of applying for political asylum after arriving in America.
The process of gaining asylum proved to be much more lengthy, complicated, and challenging than anticipated.
After his initial interview in October 2013, his case was transferred to immigration court.
Unfortunately, Alemu’s case hearing was rescheduled multiple times over many years. The process began to take a toll on Alemu, who expected his family to be able to quickly join him in the States.
“That was the hardest time in my life because I didn’t expect to be apart from my family for more than six months or a year,” Alemu said. “It was very disappointing. It was very stretching and very hard.”
While going through the immigration process, Alemu began another complicated endeavor, planting a church.
After an online search for church planting, he began conversations with NAMB representatives, who introduced him to the SBCV. This began a relationship that would become like family.
NAMB and the SBCV not only helped Alemu plant Image of Christ Church in Boyds, MD, but also advocated on his behalf in his immigration case.
SBCV staff members sent letters to the Department of Justice, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service, and several U.S. congressmen. Alemu’s case was eventually heard, and he was finally granted asylum in December 2019.
In January 2020, Alemu began the process of bringing his family to the States, only for the COVID-19 pandemic to completely change America’s immigration landscape just weeks later.
While in another waiting period, Alemu explained his SBCV family did much more than write letters.
“I’m very happy because I’m not alone always,” Alemu said. “They email me, they call me, they pray for me. When people meet me, they know about my case. I feel safe because I’m among many brothers. Even though I miss my family, I have a lot of family here in the SBCV.
“It helped me a lot. If they are not with me, maybe I’m not here today. I praise God for the SBCV family.”
Finally—a breakthrough. A miracle. After 11 long years of waiting and praying, Samnas’ family was at last granted a visa hearing. Little explanation was ever given as to why things had been delayed so long.
His wife and two children were granted a visa, and the sweet reunion happened on March 23, 2024. Nearly 70 local church members joined the celebration at Dulles Airport. As Samnas, his wife, and his children experienced their first hug in over 11 years, African cheering (“Ululating”) reverberated through the terminal, causing others to ask about the meaning of the celebration.
“It was a very exciting day,” Alemu said. “It was hard and long waiting for 11 years.”
“We always say you are Not Alone,” Alemu said. “I always remember that I am not alone. It is real. I felt like I am Not Alone.”
Would you like to join in the rejoicing of Samnas Alemu’s family? Send a card to Samnas Alemu and let them know they are not alone in their rejoicing.
Samnas Alemu & Family, c/o SBC of Virginia, 4956 Dominion Blvd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
