Never Be Afraid

I met Freddy after he escaped within an inch of his life from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He came as a political refugee to the United States... alone. Concerned about his captors' ability to find his family, he didn't return there after his escape. During his hasty flight to America, His family lost their phone and number. He wrestled with frustration in attempts to locate them. It would be two years before he did and three years till they were reunited.

I asked him what gave him his strength and courage. This is his story.

When I was 9 years old I went for a walk with My Grandmother on our property. Banana and pineapple trees dotted the landscape. Sugar cane and corn swayed in the slight wind till they reached the outlying tall grass and trees at the farm’s edge. Sweet smells filled the air.

The bright sun and heat of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, hit my face as I followed my grandmother. But I skipped along, letting my hands sweep over the tips of the tall grass next to the path. I heard a rustling ahead of us. Some warning in me made my hands recoil. A fierce lion that had been hidden from our view stepped out to face us.

I froze, terrified. His eyes glared at us threateningly. I could just imagine him devouring me before I could get my legs to move. I turned to find the comfort of my Grandmother, but she had disappeared. I was alone with the lion. It was like a dream. I could hear the pounding of my heart, boom, boom, boom. It seemed to last forever.

Then I could see my grandmother again. She stepped toward the lion, arms waving wildly around her, Saying in a loud voice, “Tue ,Tue, Tue”, as if to say, “I’m greater than you, lion. I will overpower you.”

The lion looked at her… then walked away.

Freddy, she said to me, “Never be afraid. When life gets dark, never be afraid because someone will always be with you. Today I am with you, tomorrow I will not be with you, but someone will be with you.”

Every time in my life when I am feeling low, I remember the day when I met the lion on the path with my grandmother. This is where I get my power.