Ministering on the Margins In Rural America

See the recently published online article in Christianity Today on Tierra Nueva

thanks to my parents and sister!

Response to Sex Trafficking: Local & Global

Skagit Commercially Sexually Exploited Children & Youth
I continue to lead Skagit County’s response and coordination of services for Commercially Sexually Exploited Children & Youth (CSEC).  Last month, we applied with Whatcom County to receive intensive training and we were approved as 1 of 5 counties in Washington State! The first training will be May 22nd, so I'm in process of making sure all the 'key players' are aware and invited.  Usually our meetings have been at Mt. Vernon police department, but this month I hosted the Skagit CSEC Task Force meeting at Tierra Nueva.  It felt somewhat strange to have a Children’s Administration (CPS) supervisor, Juvenile Detention manager, prosecuting attorney, and a police detective again in our building…I know so many who interface with these systems in a very different capacity!  One of our building residents, a former gang related guy himself, helped me set up coffee while people were coming in, his arms covered in tattoos.  I couldn’t help but smiling as people glanced his way and hopefully saw a different side to someone they may have otherwise quickly stereotyped.

Thailand Trip! 

I leave on Thursday March 28th! Although I won't be interviewing organizations that work with those in sex trade, I will still be in Pattaya--the 2nd highest destination for the sex trade.  Please pray for protection (physical, emotional, and spiritual), as well as divine appointments with those who are part of the conference and out on the street. 

Walking through Open Doors....

Family Support Center & Migrant Ministry Update

The past couple of weeks we have been in the process of discerning potential changes to our drop-in center as we head into Spring and Summer seasons when our farmworker friends are the busiest.  We have had some fruitful meetings discussing where we see God moving, what we might change, and what services we are providing most often and with what impact (if known).  We are feeling more drawn to discipleship with fewer families this next season, as the numbers of people coming into our center lessens. One of the areas we have all been very encouraged by is visiting families together on Monday nights.  Although I am often in families’ homes, on Monday we meet together in a more deliberate way.  

A couple of weeks ago, Salvio, Paul and I felt led to visit two Mixtec women, 'Carolina' a mother and her daughter 'Rita'.  Ramon, who was good friends with the woman’s son until he was killed years ago, had recently asked if I had seen them. They popped into my mind immediately when we started praying.  At the same time, Salvio saw an image of a mother holding her daughter’s hand.  When I mentioned the family, he said:

     "...oh that's it! Carolina always holds her daughter's hand, as she is disabled. I guess we are      supposed to visit them again!" 

The last time Salvio & Paul had visited them in October, they had basically been asked to leave by the family that lives with Carolina and Rita.  Carolina shares her 2 bedroom apartment with a family of 8, in order to be able to pay rent. This time, we showed up and it was completely different. The other family ignored us at first, and then started offering us sodas and asking if we offer community service at Tierra Nueva.  Carolina asked us to pray for her and then went and woke Rita up so we could pray for them both. As we were leaving, she invited us to come again the next Monday.  We were all amazed!  So this last Monday we were about to leave to visit them again, when I ran to get a ‘paleta’ (Mexican ice cream ;) at a store across the street, and who did I see but the Carolina and Rita!  I invited them back to Tierra Nueva, where the woman told us the entire other family was home at their small apartment, and it would be better if we prayed at TN.  God’s timing is good!

Although we will maintain some drop-in hours, we hope to visit people more in their homes, encouraging people to come to our newly adapted Spanish/English worship service, and provide community activities (women’s group, fun trips to lakes, cooking, etc), in addition to ongoing advocacy.  

Also, we continue to participate in immigration reform advocacy. Photo of Rick Larsen (Skagit area Representative), and other immigrant rights advocates, after meeting held at Tierra Nueva.

It is good to see progress! The DREAM Act just passed through the House of Reps last week and hopefully will make its way to the Senate floor next week.