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.