Doing the Work

     MONDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2023

Today was filled with facts, figures, frustrations and friends.  For 6 hours, we prepped for what we are about to embark upon.  We heard from an immigration lawyer, who told tales of the struggle to free detainees in American Detention Centers.  We learned how arbitrary the decision to grant passage or not can be.  

   

We heard from an Iranian man who spent three months in the Eloy center while his family awaited his release. His story was heartbreaking, but yet hopeful future.  His family has been sheltered and cared for by a University Presbyterian, a congregation in Tempe, AZ, led by volunteer extraordinaire, Holly Herman, who saw a need and rallied the congregation.  He is pursuing his dream of being a nurse practitioner as he was before he was reported by an Iranian co-worker for converting to Christianity. His family is thriving from the love they have been shown by complete strangers who are now his family, too. 


We learned of a haven in Ajo, AZ- a hotbed for desert crossers that has rallied the community to provide a safe shelter for families who await the release of their family members from detention. We heard from Lutheran Social Services for the work they do to find sponsors for the 1% of refugees nationally who are successful in receiving asylum from the U.S. Government. An Afghani woman who once sought asylum , spending 8 years in a  tent in Pakistan until her petition was approved- now works to help families relocate to the Phoenix area.

Two angels who I have worked with when I worked at the Presbytery in Phoenix, Joe and Selena Keesecker, gave us practical tips on how to sponsor and support refugees held in detention. Together, they have visited and supported over 800 immigrants in the last 10 years and their Guadalupe Detention Ministry Fund has bonded 30 immigrants out of detentions so far. We wrote cards of encouragement and prepared 100 hygiene kits to be taken to Ajo for migrants. 

Finally, we got a preview of what we will experience at the border with Frontera de Cristo.  Catherine May has spent the last year there, filling in for Mission Partner Mark Adams while he took a sabbatical.  

She spoke of how hard it was going to be, both physically and emotionally, but encouraged us to make the effort. 

We head for the border tomorrow. This group has pledged to support one another and to do the work. All that we learn, we will carry home with us and share with our networks. I think we are up to the challenge.




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