Helping put up banners to promote MOST Eyeglass Clinic

Eleven Haitians are currently calling Iglesia Luterana San Lucas home as they wait for paperwork to be processed so they can come into the United States. In the last few months, several of these refugees have been giving back to the mission-churches involved in their care, not just in housing but also by providing food and clothing for them.

Mayco helps translate for Pastor Tim as he instructs on the importance of using saline eyedrops

One of them, a young man named Mayco, has been able to help translate for the MOST teams, who brought an eyeglass and water clinic to Anapra and KM30 in October and November. During those two weeks, a couple of the other refugees helped put up banners to advertise prior to the teams’ arrival, as well as help with registration and COVID screenings to be done prior to going into the clinics.

With a few of the winter Servant Event teams, Higgins joined Mayco in helping with the building of the little two-room houses.

Marilyn, the leader of the New Berlin, Wisconsin team, expressed their team’s gratitude at the help they received from them. “They were a blessing, honestly. With a team of six adults, I was really concerned we wouldn’t finish in the five days we had, but they made it possible for us to finish the house with plenty of time to spare.”

For some of these refugees, being able to give back to the mission-churches has helped fill their days as they’ve learned the joy of helping others. Along with giving back, they have been learning of God’s love through simple acts of kindness, not just in receiving it but also in giving in return.

Mayco and Higgins helped with several of the winter Servant Event teams in building little houses for families in Anapra

Pastor Heimer meets several of the Haitians  during La Santa Biblia’s Christmas Toy Distribution in December

This week, these eleven refugees are getting ready to welcome fifteen more Haitians who have been living in tents out in the streets, eight of them children.

Working alongside Juarez organizations, Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) and its partnering mission-churches are preparing to receive these refugees, opening up a back building at San Lucas. YLM is providing extra cots from the time close to 1,000 Cuban refugees were hosted at its’ campus, along with sending several dozen sweatpants and sweaters, and whatever leftover blankets can be found.

“Thanks to the organizations we are working with, we will be able to have heaters to keep the buildings where they will be sleeping warm during the coming cold days,” Rosy Lira, deaconess to three of the mission-churches on the west side of Juarez, explained during a staff meeting, “These men and women, even the children, are in so much need, but they are also so willing to help in any way needed.”

What a wonderful opportunity we have to show faith in action and see its results among these wonderful people who, though are far from home and family, have much to offer others.

If you would like to help support Refugee Care, you can know without doubt your gift will go to their care, support, and faith-growth as God continues to provide opportunities to share Christ’s love to all who we encounter.