For most people, Christmas is a time spent with family and friends, with people traveling long distances to be able to celebrate with their loved ones. For those who are detained at the El Paso Immigration Detention Center, family are the ones they are missing the most as they wait for their future to be decided by immigration courts.
This is especially hard during holiday seasons, and for that reason, Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) submitted the necessary paperwork to bring Mariachi San Pablo to bring the joy of Christmas through music.
Six of the members, along with San Pablo Lutheran Church’s vicar and elder, arrived at the Detention Center. Mariachi San Pablo was dressed in their mariachi outfits, carrying their instruments with them. 160 men and 170 women attended the services, thoroughly enjoying the music as they sang along with the mariachi.
The message of the birth of a Savior for all the nations was given by Rev. Stephen Heimer, senior pastor at Zion Lutheran Church and trumpet player for Mariachi San Pablo. Reading from the first chapter of Luke, Pastor Stephen proclaimed God’s love for humanity shown through the birth of a promised Savior.
For Mariachi San Pablo, and others involved in YLM’s Lutheran Prison Ministry, it is always a joy to be with the brothers and sisters in Christ, encouraging them through their season of waiting.
