Meet Basile
On Wednesdays, Basile can be found working the espresso machine in The Root Cellar's kitchen. Smiling as he serves up a delicious latte, it's clear he is enjoying the opportunity to work in the Common Grounds Cafe.
Basile Businge arrived in the United States about 6 months ago from his home country of Rwanda. At just 26 years old, he is an asylum seeker and in the long phase of waiting for a work authorization. A tedious part of the process, work authorization can take 6 months to a year to be granted. During that time it is illegal for an asylum seeker to receive any income.
The cafe is one of many "work" options offered at The Root Cellar in Lewiston for General Assistance (GA) housing voucher recipients. Per the state's requirement, anyone who receives this voucher must also volunteer the number of hours equal to the voucher's value at a minimum wage rate. There is an average of about 50 workers serving in various roles at The Root Cellar during any given week. Although they are volunteers, the work experience is valuable in preparation for joining the workforce.
Basile (left) with roommate and friend Nasser.
Root Cellar volunteers Amy and Aaron Smith met Basile earlier in the year, His smile, kindness and warmth is one of the first things they noticed, "You could just tell there is the light of Jesus in Basile." They met through Nasser, a mutual friend and Basil’s roommate. Nasser, a fellow Asylum Seeker, has spent alot of time helping Basile navigate his new home. Together, he and the Smith’s have become a new family for Basile.
Amy has organized a large-scale donation stream from East Auburn Baptist Church to several hundred new arrivals into Lewiston over the past year. Dozens of items like mattresses, coats, boots and kitchen sets have been distributed. However with Basile, it was clear that the need was deeper than just things. It was friendship - and it turned out to be a mutual need for the Smith family.
The Smiths have adopted 5 children including 3 with disabilities. Amy recalls the first time that Basile came to their home, "He understood our kids immediately."
At the age of 3, Basile contracted the Polio virus, even after being vaccinated. This virus left him with deformed legs and a chronic limp. "Because of his disability, he understood our children," Amy remembers. "He connected immediately with our kids, treated them with kindness. He has real affection and love for them."
Growing up with a disability in Rwanda is challenging. "I faced a lot of discrimination," he recalls. Common milestones for many are blocked for children with disabilities. Access to school is delayed for several years and job access can be impossible. Early interventions or aid is extremely limited.
Amy Smith knows this reality well, as several of her children were adopted from other countries. "In many parts of the world, that's how those who are disabled are treated. Our kids wouldn't have gotten an education, most likely destined to poverty."
Basile was baptized by Pastor Craig Fortin at East Auburn Baptist Church.
Basile has become an extended part of the family at the Smith home. They have much in common, but it is their common faith in Jesus that has deepened the friendship between Basile and the Smiths.
Basile's faith goes back to his family, but he has continued to grow spiritually since moving to Maine. "The Root Cellar and East Auburn Baptist Church are great examples of American believers. They have strengthened my faith." He has found other friendships at the church and at The Root Cellar as well, "If I face a challenge, I can reach out for help and we can overcome that challenge together." This past fall, Basile was baptized at East Auburn Baptist alongside 16 other local believers.
Basile has been honing in on his English and plans to get a job helping others like himself once he gains work authorization this spring.
I asked Amy to describe what motivated her and the impact that Basile has had on her family.
"To me, Jesus commanded us to love the stranger - those from other countries. Jesus brings us into his family, so loving someone isn't just giving them stuff. It means giving relationship and connection. For me - that's the best part about serving. For our family and Basil, it's a mutual relationship. We haven't just embraced Basile. Basile has embraced us."
If you would like to support the many ministries that are serving neighbors like Basile, please consider making a 2023 year end gift today.
