Doug The Dog Man’s, LLC

Dog House

CHAPEL Organization

Christ And People Embracing Life

CHAPEL Organization is a mission of God put on our hearts to celebrate people helping people.  We take on one project at a time and do all we can to help an individual or family out of a situation they are in.   Check back often to  learn about their progress or find out about new projects.

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CURRENTLY we are helping Barnabe Nyange.  Here is his story…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His name is Barnabe Kayumba Nyange.  He is from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Africa applying here for political asylum.  He was working in DRC in a hospital as a Physician's Assistant. This hospital treated rebels and government people. They had a communication radio to contact other hospitals and churches. A rebel came in and asked a nurse who was in charge and Barnabe was pointed out because there were no doctors there at the time. They accused him of sharing rebel secrets and put him into a rebel prison. After weeks of beatings and torture, he ended up back in the hospital. A priest there helped him by paying a guard to look the other way as Barnabe escaped. He traveled 200 miles on foot through the jungle, leaving his wife Marceline and 4 children behind. He stowed away on a boat to Zambia and through the grace of God got some papers from and angel of a man to get to the USA.  If he returns to DRC, at the hand of the government or the Rebels he will be killed.  Neither party will trust that he is not working with the other.

 

He applied for political asylum.  His assigned lawyer,  who did no homework on this situation, met Barnabe 10 minutes before his court case and was ultimately denied asylum.

 

Barnabe is alone, no money, no home, can't go back and can't stay here... and what about his family?

He is directed by another Congolese to Shelton CT. On an extremely cold winter day, Barnabe is out waiting for a bus, in a summer suit and loafers with no socks - freezing .  Meanwhile... A man people call Brother David was visiting a friend in a nursing home. He was given a hat, a pair of gloves and some sneakers from a resident that thought it could go to someone in need.  Brother David left the home and walked straight to the bus stop. Barnabe put on the hat and gloves and made a friend that day . 

 

THEN he met us (through Brother David). We have retained a new lawyer for him and have applied to reopen his case.

 

In the meantime in Africa, his wife Marceline and 4 children escaped Congo and are now in Zambia waiting for a way to get to Barnabe in the USA. Some Zambians do not like foreigners and broke in and attacked them. His 16 year old son got his arm broken in the attack. The police didn't care.

 

One week before Christmas, we received a call from the local hospital. Barnabe had been in a very serious car accident. He named us as his only family here. He had broken ribs, a punctured lung, a lacerated liver and a broken leg. He had several operations and was in intensive care for two weeks sedated. After some time in rehab, Barnabe was released and is staying with us until he recovers.

 

And the story goes on... his son Blaise was in the hospital with cholera while Barnabe was in the hospital here. I received an email from his wife. Just desperate to get here and help her husband.  We sent some money to Marceline for her bills and food because Barnabe can’t work right now.  We are petitioning for Marceline to come here now through a company sponsorship and are praying that all goes smoothly.

 

We have four children as well and can’t imagine being separated for even a month never mind years.  The fact that this loving Christian faithful family has gone through so much crisis is heartbreaking.  So we will do our best to help, and pray that our family will help Barnabe stay motivated, focused and hopeful.

 

UPDATE: May 26, 2005

I (Shelley) received an email this afternoon that Barnabe’s appeal on his asylum case had been sustained!  It read “This is to let you know that we won on appeal.  The case is now returned to the judge to order security checks etc.   Barnabe's wife and children can come as soon as his security checks are done and his asylum is granted.”  So, after I screamed and yelled and cried and nearly scared Doug half to death because I couldn’t get the words out without sobbing, I went over to Barnabe’s apartment with the printed email and MADE HIS DAY!!!

 

He called his family and put them on speaker phone so I could be a part of the celebration.  They were happy and laughing and praising God.  I will tell you it was a joy to hear those children giggling in the background of the phone.  Over the past year they have been strong and brave but I have also heard them worried and crying and feeling helpless.

 

So now they need passports and airfare and Barnabe needs a job and to set up a home for a family of six.  Over the next few months we will plan, collect things, raise funds and believe in God for it all to come together.  AMEN!

 

UPDATE: August 22, 2005

And the saga continues… Barnabe went to court in July and he was not granted the asylum!  The court, through their background check decided that he has a valid Zambian passport and therefore is not needing political asylum from DRC.  Barnabe said he received the passport from a man who was helping him.  This man obviously has a connection in the Zambian passport department.  But the passport is NOT legal and now Barnabe has to prove that to INS.  He has refugee papers from the DRC consulate and a legal DRC passport, but didn’t have it in court with him.   The were completely blindsided by this.

 

The other issue… Barnabe owes his lawyer money and so she wants to stop representing him.  She is not interested in pro-bono work and suggested he go to a new lawyer.  This does not make sense because he is so close to the end and a new lawyer will have to review the whole case  and research again.  This will rack up way more money than just staying with his current lawyer.  So, we have to get him on a payment plan and somehow guarantee that he will pay it all.  The problem is he has nothing and what she is asking seem unattainable… but God will provide.

 

UPDATE: September 25, 2005

It is a few days until Barnabe has to go back to court.  He has been unable to reach his family in Zambia.  They have witnessed a horrific event on the street near where they live and have since locked themselves in.  A man was murdered by bludgeoning, robbed of his clothing and his cell phone and they cut off his foot and plucked out his eye.  Coming from DRC, when Barnabe’s family experienced this type of thing, it didn’t stop with one person, entire households and villages were destroyed.  So, she protected her family.  She shut them up in their little apartment and did not answer the door for anyone.  She does not have a cell phone now because it broke, so Barnabe was talking to them through the landlord’s phone.  She would not answer the door.  They are so fearful for their lives.

 

UPDATE: October 25, 2005

Barnabe had to go back to court to prove he is from DRC and no where else.  We wanted to make sure we were in the loop and that everything was handled in a fair manner and was not confusing to Barnabe, so Pastor Diane from the First United Methodist Church of Shelton (Barnabe’s church) and I (Shelley) went along with him.  What an amazing experience!

 

Before we left my house, we prayed with the children.  Barnabe was in quiet prayer all the way to the court house in Hartford, CT.  When we got there, Barnabe’s lawyer was reviewing his case and called him in to ask some questions.  He presented her with his Congolese passport that he got from the consulate here in the USA.  She was debating on presenting this information or not.  Should he show proof of getting this passport here when he is terrified of being in DRC?  Would the courts look at it as if he was not really that fearful for his life?  Going into the court room, she was still undecided and at the last moment had an opportunity to speak to a colleague  because the judge was delayed.  Pastor Diane and I sat in the back of the small room and went into deep prayer.  We prayed for the judges ears to be opened to the truth, for Barnabe’s lawyers to speak through the words of God and for the opposing lawyer to have no real argument.

 

The opposing Lawyer from Homeland securities was ferocious!  He belittled Barnabe’s lawyer.  Everything she presented, he shot down.  And then… she pulls out the DRC passport.  He argues that it is conveniently last minute and perhaps it is not authentic.  She gives the judge a copy and the opposing lawyer gets to view the real passport.  They question Barnabe.  Where did you get this?  What was the process?  Was it by mail or in person?  What kind of questions did they ask you?  One of the biggest arguments is that Barnabe doesn’t even speak the Zambian languages. 

 

We are praying and the judge gives the opposing lawyer a choice to either accept it’s authenticity and allow the asylum or postpone the decision and check the passport.  He is holding the passport and a calm quiet falls over the room.  There was a 30 second delay where nothing is said.  And then, as if all the negative energy in this room has given up the fight, he releases the passport back to Barnabe’s lawyer.  The judge stamps a few papers and says it is approved.  Barnabe’s lawyer has to leave immediately for another meeting downstairs and Barnabe, because he doesn't understand what just happened. looks very depressed.

 

He walks toward us and we are crying.  He still has no idea.  I said “Barnabe you got it!  You won!”  He said “No, I don’t think so.”  Pastor Diane said “Yes you did.  You won.”  And... he cried and sobbed.  He rand back up front and shook hands with the judge and the Homeland Securities lawyer.  They congratulated him.

 

He has since received his documents and is now filing the forms to get his family here.  It should take 6 months to a year and a lot of money to get them here.  Then we will really celebrate!!  Barnabe has been in touch with Marceline and they are all very excited!

 

UPDATE:  JULY 31, 2006

 

Barnabe filed all the petitions for all 6 members of his family in January of this year.  He just received confirmation that 2 of them have been approved.  The other 4 had spelling errors and needed a paperwork change which he has also filed.  We have a very generous donor from Barnabe’s church that has given enough money for their flights into this country!  So, again we wait… but I think it will all be coming together soon.

 

The church has also received a donation of a minivan for Barnabe, he just has to register and insure it.  I write this prematurely, because he hasn’t been told yet.  He is currently looking for a house rental in Shelton for everyone to live in and he has been working, working, working to prepare for them to come.

 

Update April 2007

Last December Barnabe lost his job and left his apartment.  He is currently renting a room in Bridgeport and looking for a job while collecting unemployment.  We had lost touch with him for a few months and were very concerned.  A few weeks ago, he came over to let us know he was taking a computer class, looking for work and looking into taking classes so he can get a job in the medical field.  Thank you God for keeping him safe!

 

All of his family is approved to come here!!!  We just found out that he also found his nephew that he adopted in 1998 so he wouldn’t get picked up by rebel armies to fight and will be having him come here as well as a part of his family.  Barnabe had 3 brothers, 2 sisters and his parents all die in DRC from Rebel attacks.  So finding Herve is quite a blessing!

 

Celine and the kids went for medical exams yesterday and have an appointment on Monday to get this all wrapped up with the US Consulate.  I even researched airfare for them to come within the next few weeks. 

 

December 10, 2007 - Well this has been a long haul!  After being so close to approval in May, the family was requested by the US Consulate to get DNA testing done.  They all passed.  Then we waited again, finally in October the US Embassy requested that all family members (except Herve) purchase their tickets and come in to get their Visas.   So we bought the tickets and upon arrival at the Embassy, they were questioned about the legitimacy of Herve.  The Embassy representative became so irate about the situation that he refused to issue any Visas and told Marceline that she would be charged with human trafficking if they could prove that the papers for the adoption are fake.  He went on to tell her that he would send her children and she would be left behind in Zambia to suffer for the rest of her life while Barnabe found a new wife.  In my opinion, this went beyond harassment.  Poor Marceline fainted and ended up in the hospital with some paralysis in her face.

 

So that was October, they waited so long to change the decision that we had Adeline in London waiting to meet them at their connection and they never came.  We have now enlisted the help of Attorney TJ Mills.  His knowledge and expertise of the process has helped a lot.

 

The 4 children; Blaise, Olga, Leticia and Benedi have been approved!  They actually have tickets and Visas in hand!!  They will be arriving Thursday night and we are so excited!!  Everyone is preparing for this family now.  Barnabe has had a 3 bedroom apartment since October, and the members of the church have risen to the challenge and gotten most of the furniture donated and delivered.  We are down to the  little essentials… stocking the refrigerator and the cupboards and collecting some warm clothes.

 

Please continue to pray for Marceline and Herve...