Thank you, Mission Adelante!
by Ryan Galue
My name is Ryan Galue, and today I want to share about my journey with Mission Adelante, the U.S. resettlement agency. I am Venezuelan and have been living in Colombia for nearly five years, where I managed to obtain legal status. This legal status was crucial, as one of the main requirements for participating in the resettlement program is having legal residency in Colombia. After several interviews, medical exams, and cultural orientation sessions, I finally received the life-changing news—I had been accepted into the program and would soon be traveling to the United States.
That moment was filled with immense joy. Achieving something I had long dreamed of, and doing so through a legal process, was an incredible feeling. But soon after the excitement came the inevitable doubts. What would the process be like? How would I be received? How would I be treated? I was about to emigrate again, starting from scratch, but I always remembered it wouldn’t be my first time.
The day of my departure finally arrived. The agency in Colombia supported me with excellence, from the moment they picked me up at my home in Colombia until I arrived at the airport and eventually at my first destination. I had mixed feelings and felt a lot of anxiety, but the thought that I would now be in a better position to support my family helped me calm down. After my first flight, I boarded another plane to Kansas City, Kansas, which is where I currently live.
Upon arriving at the airport in Kansas, I was warmly welcomed by people from Mission Adelante. A group of women greeted me with so much kindness, filling me with joy and confidence, which helped ease my anxiety. Mission Adelante has been a pillar throughout this process, assisting me with everything from the moment I arrived. They’ve helped me obtain all the necessary legal documents, guided me through the medical process, assisted with food, and helped me find a welcoming place to live where I could feel at home.
One of the most emotional moments came when I moved into my current apartment and saw photos of my family—people I love and miss dearly. I hope that one day soon, I’ll be able to have them here with me. For this, I owe a massive thank you and blessings to Mission Adelante and their entire team. From the person who picked me up at the airport to the ones helping with all my paperwork, I wish them all the best and hope that God continues to guide and support their excellent work.
P.S. As a proud Venezuelan from Maracaibo, I showed my gratitude by making empanadas for the staff at Mission Adelante—and now, they LOVE them! 🙂
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