By David Myers

Southwest Kansas Register

GARDEN CITY - As seven-year-old Nnadozie dashed across his apartment with the energy of a tornado, his parents, Remigius and Jane Catherine Ekweariri, shared a story of struggle and frustration, but not without the occasional smile, laugh, and bit of good-natured ribbing.

This simple activity is something for which they are eternally grateful to God. "We are also very grateful to all who have in one way or another made it possible for the family to be together again," Remigius emphasized. Regardless of the struggles of the past - and of those to come - the family of five has reason to celebrate. After nearly four years of battling bureaucratic red tape, they are together again after having been separated by thousands of miles since 1999.

The couple first met as children growing up in Nigeria. Remigius, who serves as a chaplain at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, had wanted at different times to be a priest and a staunch lover of the members of Nigeria’s World Cup soccer team - both occupations embracing many of his friends and relatives.

But Remigius, or "Remy" as he is known to colleagues, ended up taking a different route. He traveled to Belgium where he studied Theology and Canon Law, and soon after married his childhood sweetheart. In Belgium, the two had three children: two girls, Chinwe, 10, and Chinasa, 8, and a boy, Nnadozie, 7, but with restrictions in the jobs open to Remy, he soon opted to transfer to the United States, where he did two year residency program in Clinical Pastoral Education in Houston before moving to Garden City.

Settled with a good job and a newfound love for America and the people of Kansas, Remy began the fight to bring his family home. And a fight it was.

"We asked [the American Embassy] what they needed to process my family’s immigration papers," Remy said. "We followed and submitted everything they requested for to the letter. They "his wife and children" were supposed to be here at the end of October of 2002. Dealing with the American Embassy was like walking to heaven on foot."

Confident his family was soon to be on their way, Jane Catherine was quizzed by the American Embassy. Among the barrage of questions was that of how her husband had obtained his green card.

"I didn’t know how he got his green card," she said, shaking her head. "I wasn’t there when he got it."

"They asked me if he had married an American," she added, laughing. "He didn’t marry an American, of that I was sure."

It would take several more months before she and the couple’s three children would be allowed to emigrate.

"I know many people who applied before we did and are still waiting," Remy said. "God so blessed our efforts. Families are meant to be together."

Although a frustrating endeavor, neither bears bitterness toward the American Embassy. Both stressed that they didn’t "blame them for getting tough. Many people come here under camouflage. We wanted to be legal in every way."

While Remy fought to bring his family home, Jane Catherine, who has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering and a master’s degree in irrigation engineering, fought to raise three children while working part time in a nursing home.

"It was more than difficult," she said. "I had to play Mama, Papa, baby sitter ...."

When Chinwe and Nnadozie were asked what they thought of their new home, both offered a shy grimace, not surprising for children who only a week ago left their friends and the country they called home. But they brought with them a wealth of knowledge. In Belgium, children learn four languages by the time they leave middle school. In high school, they learn at least two more.

"A good Belgian will speak four languages very well," Jane Catherine said. "Nnadozie still switches between English and Flemish."

At one point during the interview, Jane Catherine and her young son began debating over priorities.

"It’s homework, homework, homework, then play," she said sternly.

"No," the boy said with a broad grin. "It’s play, play, play, play, play, play, homework, go to bed."

A devout mother, she doesn’t intend to look for work until her children are settled comfortably into St. Dominic School. When she does begin to look for work, her knowledge of irrigation engineering should allow her plenty of opportunity in this region.

Ironically, arecent change in Belgium policies would have made it possible for the family to remain in Belgium. By that time, though, Remy was already in the United States where he "loved the people and his work," and where he prefered to stay and make a home.

"Since Remy has fallen in love with America," Jane Catherine said, "the kids and I have to support him. In our culture, you follow your husband. Besides, I didn’t want to put pressure on him. He’s very optimistic.

"I am happy we are together again as a family. The children are eager to resume school at St. Dominic and meet new friends.

"Africans believe so much in God. As long as you believe, there will be a solution."

"We turned all of our immigration problems to God in prayer," Remy added, "and He answered."