The Triangle of Success

The feminine charisma of Josephine Bakhuis – Trinidad, her call for leadership and most importantly her devotion to God have contributed to the development of a talented woman. A woman whose diary of life is saturated with experience and achievements. Achievements especially attained to benefit those in need.  A close up of her past, personality and the different roles she has been playing in our community reveals how she manages these ‘assets’ to leading a successful and fulfilling life. In an interview with Josephine Bakhuis Trinidad, she explains about her life and the keys to her success; her spiritual life, her leadership role in the community, and the fact that she is a virtuous woman.

BY SHURMINIA RAFAEL

From receiving a very strict education, to being rebellious and finally dedicating her existence to God as well as to her community; this all reflects among others the multifaceted life of Mrs. Josephine Bakhuis-Trinidad. Josephine Bakhuis (57) is an only child of Bonerian parents, who received a very overprotective education. She illustrates this with the example of her being denied by her parents the possibility of taking ballet classes or swimming lessons. 

                During her childhood Josephine lived in various neighborhoods which in those times could be classified as poor and underdeveloped. However after moving to a ‘better’ neighborhood during her teen years, she was overwhelmed with the awareness of how beautiful life is and how God and her participation in the Roman Catholic religion could contribute to this. 

The upheaval

In the year 1969 Josephine Trinidad is faced with the other side of the medallion. She moves to Holland to continue her education. However, Holland revealed to her the hard facts of life. Her believe in God was questioned and because of her lack of personal experience with the existence of a higher power, she denied what she was taught about God and religion. Furthermore she was convinced that if there was a God, He would reveal Himself to her, as He had done to other important bible characters, such as Moses and Abraham. With the statement: “It is the human being who creates a God in their mind rather than God being the creator of he human being”, she set aside religion and faith in God. Besides this, Ms. Trinidad also became extremely conscious of the reality of her own island. Poverty, social segregation, and racial discrimination were until then unknown concepts to the well educated young lady. She blamed her parents for not confronting her with these truths of life of the island she lived on. This frustrating discovery and the elimination of faith in her life, led to a total upheaval within the person and her environment. Mrs. Bakhuis says: “I was living a life which was totally different from what I was taught. By then my life consisted of partying and searching for all of which I was denied when I was stuck in my golden cage”.

                Supporting leftist ideologies, opposing capitalism, participating and leading different tumultuous demonstrations were some of Ms. Trinidad’s different activities. Even though she was miles away from home she completely supported the revolt of May 30^th of 1969 when Curaçao workers violently pleaded for equality in the workplace, fair treatment of the colored people in society and elimination of the discrepancy between the poor and the rich in the population. Certain people in those times had the perception of her as a very dangerous person, although she battled only with two weapons; her big mouth and her determination to stand for her beliefs. “I was marked by the BVD/VNA. She ended up married at the young age of 21, and moved to Suriname where she studied at the university and kept fighting for leftist ideas. Her life in Suriname turned out to be one of arguments and disputes, which was the reason for her to leave the country and her husband. Three and a half years after her return to Curaçao, on July 13^th 1975, Josephine finished her studies in law at the ‘Rechtshogeschool van de Nederlandse Antillen’( Lawschool of the Netherlands Antilles), now currently known as the University of the Netherlands Antilles. Due to this education, she was able to enter the judicial system of the Netherlands Antilles. Ms. Trinidad was completely dedicated to her profession and determined to help others through her law practice. Certainly, it was this dedication and determination which led Josephine to finding her true purpose in life and regaining her faith in God.

Spiritual exploration and revelation

Josephine Bakhuis finds this purpose after a long search. When back in Curacao she was confronted again with the dilemma  whether there is a God or not. Even though she had found her calling in the professional field as a lawyer, Mrs. Bakhuis kept searching for the internal peace she so longed for. As she studied the history of law, Mrs. Bakhuis realized being taught by the professor that the laws in the constitution especially the penal laws are based on the Laws of Moses inspired by God. This was her first step to the acknowledgment of the existence of a Supreme Being. Mrs. Bakhuis says: “I started thinking of a challenging way of finding God. I wanted to challenge him to prove to me that He existed and I also wanted to know who He really was”. Nevertheless, she was very skeptical of the existing religions. After viewing a television program where the subject of God and religion was discussed, Mrs. Bakhuis formed an opinion about what belief to affiliate to, in order to get in touch with God, and she chose to start practicing Kriya Yoga. For four years she dedicated herself to the Yoga lifestyle, during which she was even initiated in the practices of Kriya Yoga by an Indian Guru on June 13^th 1975.

                “I was given a mantra which was supposed to help me relive the moment of initiation when needed but also which would inspire me and be a protection against all evil”. Even so, the quest for God did not stop. Because of her curiousness Josephine started visiting Roman Catholic charismatic services with her parents, only to realize that the main focus was not on religion but rather on Jesus Christ. This deeply touched her  and led her to reading the bible in order to know more about Jesus. She went through a real battle realizing that the bible contradicted the yoga philosophy and finally decided to become a Christian as she comprehended that only by following Christ her quest would end. “Jesus, you are tough, you are tougher than I am, and I recognize you as Lord”. With these words Josephine proclaimed that her life was going to change. On May 29^th 1977 Josephine Bakhuis Trinidad got converted to Christianity. Subsequently, she gained interest in the study of the bible and the Christian laws, which were at some point even more interesting to her than her previous study of law. The true revelation of Christianity even helped her in her career as a lawyer. By combining her interrnal zest to help others and the mandate of God to do so, she found the way to help convicts into a new life. Another impact that Christianity had in her career, was the disbelief of others in her conversion because of her rebellious past. She was perceived as one that had lost her mind. Josephine charged clients low consulting fees according to their income and she rejected cases which would interfere with her beliefs. After eight years as a lawyer, Josephine closed the doors of her law office to dedicate her entire life to God and his mandate. However, she underlines,  being a Christian should not be an obstacle for being a lawyer. Yet in her case it was the lack of time combined with the call to be available for God’s work on a full time basis together with her new love - the new man in her life, a preacher - , which drove her to this radical turn. Josephine then understood that this purpose had to do with the leadership call that was present her entire life. 

Versatile leadership

People know her as determined; a person who stands for her believes and struggles to succeed until the end. Her fairness is also her feature of being a leader. Besides this determination and sense of justice, Mrs. Bakhuis believes that her ability to convince and empower people has helped her in being a leader.

                In the year 2001 Josephine received the Esther award of the International Third World Leaders Association (ITWLA) for displaying the quality and character of Esther in political leadership  and in 2004 she was awarded for current outstanding leadership with the Annual Leadership Award of this same organization. This organization is an international leaders organization which consists of over 700  members who have leadership roles all over the world. Among leaders of countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, USA, Guyana and Jamaica, Mrs. Bakhuis was called upon as a God sent leader and presently is a member of the executive council of this organization. Our community has known her as a leader in different  areas; in profession, in politics and in her spiritual life. Because of her profession Mrs. Bakhuis had the opportunity to function in different leading roles in the judicial system as well as in the government on the island. Josephine occupied offices such as the director of ‘Voogdijraad’(Parental custody department), advisor to the former prime minister of the Netherlands Antilles Miguel Pourier, and assistant to the ‘Procureur Generaal’. She also led different start up programs for new government departments such as “Department of  general welfare and the welfare of the family” and the economic department of the Netherlands Antilles for which she also functioned as an advisor. This strong-minded lady was not only professionally involved with the judicial system but also guided different field actions helping and counseling drug addicts. During her career, her roles varied from being part of the policy making process to going into the streets to tackle social issues. Josephine cannot define which of these roles she prefers. “Each role is played in a particular period. of time. After having worked in the policy process for some time, I feel the need to work on the streets. But on the other hand, when approaching the end of my task on the streets, again I have the inner urge to give advice on a more professional and strategic level. In the past I couldn’t understand this, but I realized that I should accept myself the way I am and that God blessed me with many talents. I know that I should be available in the places I am needed”.

                Besides her professional leadership, Mrs. Bakhuis is a political leader since 1998, when she founded the political Christian democratic party; ORDU; Organisashon pa Restourashon di Un i tur (Organization for the restoration of each and everyone). Thanks to the recognition of ITWLA Josephine, after having denied it for a long time, she felt that it was necessary for her to make a difference in her country on the political platform. Her party is part of a movement for the national development of Curaçao. Josephine explained that only by restoring the family and the community and empowering the people, social and even economic issues can be tackled. While other parties talked about recovering the economy, Mrs. Bakhuis focused during her promotional campaign on the people and their need for a sound society. She received much criticism on her decision to enter into the politics of the island, since politics is seen as a negative system. Furthermore society was skeptical about a spiritual leader entering into politics. Yet, in the elections of 1999 ORDU won a seat in the Island council. At the moment her party is in a state of reorganization which led to the change of the name of the party into “ Un pueblo Nobo” (A new people) which is the final vision. She continues with her contribution to the community and until November 2006 she servied as an advisor to the Minister of Justice. Presently she uses her expertise and skills to advice on policy in the area of resocialisation. Her political leadership has never prevented her from being a spiritual leader.

                It even helped her realize that politicians should not ignore the link that is supposed to exist between the work of both the church and the government. She illustrates this as follows: Church, government and non-governmental organizations should work together in national development. “The church, no matter what religion,, is there to deal the people in a profound way and teach them to live with a conscience of accountability to God and His standards while penal and civil law exist to keep the human being in a frame of harmony with the community and to ensure that  the life and interests of others are not endangered”.

Mrs. Bakhuis believes that a ... approach is necessary to achieve total wealth. Furthermore, she believes that at the moment the population is living in a ‘smoke screen’ – situation where, they are confused about politicians and political parties. “In the last elections it was clear that people voted for certain parties just to avoid others to come to power in  government. The island is now in a wait – and – see state.” 

Besides being known as a preacher and spiritual leader, she is known as a motivational speaker on the national and especially on the international level. She speaks at several international conferences where she particularly teaches on national development, leadership and the empowerment of people. While people are waiting for changes on the political level, Mrs. Bakhuis notices in the population an attitude of spiritual exploration. She underlines however that the population should be offered the realness of God and not mediocrity. As a spiritual leader Josephine Bakhuis Trinidad has functioned in several leading roles in her church community, Hesu Kristu, E Kontesta (Jesus Christ, The Answer). and at the moment she is responsible for the youth division in her church community. The young people who have a leading position in this division should report to her and receive guidance and direction from her. Most importantly, she is married to the minister of the church, Pastor Gilberto Bakhuis. Together they have been fulfilling many tasks mandated by God. They are known for being very noble. Josephine has offered her home to many lost sheep, the ones who were at some point homeless. It should not surprise anyone if she is called ‘Mama’ by a large group of youngsters. A spiritual mother, indeed.

Virtuous woman

A mother, a wife, a daughter, certainly a virtuous woman. Since young, Josephine has been very talented. She recited and wrote different poems. When she was eight, Josephine recited the poem, ‘Mi Popchi Pretu’ (My black dolly) on Radio Hoyer, for which she is still known by people her age.  Formally she used to dance in a jazz group, sing duets and perform in several drama performance. She wrote a number of drama scripts, such as Reuben and Afranine, a metaphoric story of her own life. She now sings duets with her husband and together they have a c.d production. To her, art is a way of expressing her true feelings. Josephine recognizes the virtues of a woman. She believes that these virtues are treasures every woman carries along. Josephine’s most important treasure is her love for Jesus and her solid relationship with him and the love for her fellow men. All her decisions in life are taken after having discussed them with her God. She also has a great heart, and a drive to see people happy and releasing their full potential. Especially those who others have given up on, experience love and care when she comes around. On the other hand she is very straight forward and boldly expresses her opinions. “I should try to be more refined in my way of expressing myself. I might be misunderstood because of my boldness”. Josephine describes this trait together with her clumsiness when parking a car, the difficulties she encounters when working with computers and her lack of time for household chores as some of her limitations as a human being. Nevertheless, she does not feel that her being a woman is an impediment for her successes. She indicates that women should also recognize their limitations and acknowledge the need for the support of men in their lives. Many women in her environment consider her a role model. Not only because she is a very graceful lady, but they also identify with both her internal as well as external struggles. She gives another dimension to the word failure: “when you fail you stand up, and learn from your mistakes”.  Eventually, this is also the essence of her God given purpose of existence: to use all circumstances of her life to help others to be a better person.