For the last couple of months, a couple of the Juarez mission-churches partnering with Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM), have been working together to offer care and relief to refugees in Juarez waiting for the immigration process to be completed so they can enter the United States legally in search of a better future.

Thanks to donations for refugee care, food and other needed items are provided to refugees currently staying at San Lucas

Several of these refugees are from Cuba, a few from Haiti, and some from areas like Guatemala and Honduras.  When the pandemic hit the United States, the closing of the borders also resulted in closing immigration procedures, making it impossible for these refugees to be able to complete the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) process to reunite with families already situated in different parts of the US.

“They have them in shelters,” Rosy Lira, deaconess of three of the mission-churches involved in this mercy ministry, explained to the YLM staff, “There’s very little food and they have to be constantly on the alert, because there’s always someone wanting to take advantage of their situation.”

Stanley (from Haiti) helps with the activities taking place at Santa Biblia and San Lucas

Iglesia Luterana San Lucas in Anapra recently had its dormitories renovated for a Deaconess Training Retreat held before lock-downs took place.  A young family of three from Honduras had been staying there but left when their immigration court date came through.  Now, there are several small families and individuals who have stayed at San Lucas for up to a week or two before their own court dates resulted in entrance into the United States.

Maribel, and her little boy Emanuel, spent a night at YLM before flying out to Miami

“We had three Haitians approach us outside of Cristo Rey,” Rosy explained one day at a staff meeting, “The woman is pregnant, they needed a safe place to stay, they hadn’t eaten for several days, and all they had was the clothes they were wearing.”

Thanks to donations made for refugee care, YLM has been able to provide funds to purchase food for those currently sheltering at San Lucas.  Every Wednesday afternoon, Rosy meets with them and they do a small Bible study.  Clothes, hygiene and kitchen supplies have been given by YLM and taken across the border by Rosy, along with much needed cots, towels, and bed sheets.

The help doesn’t end there, however.  Working in conjunction with Rosy, YLM staff have been picking up migrants processed into the United States.  Several of them have stayed for a night or two at the YLM campus before being taken to the airport or bus station.

“Marisol and her little boy, Emanuel, headed to Miami where she has family,” Rosy shared a week after the young mother and her son stayed at YLM for a night, “She called me and was so grateful for the help she received, she was crying.”

As God continues to offer opportunities for His children to show love and compassion through simple acts of kindness, YLM is willing to give these mission-churches in Juarez the necessary resources to be able to help those seeking a better future.