“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”    Romans 5:5

Many of the areas of mercy ministry at Ysleta Lutheran Mission Human Care (YLM) came to a sudden stop when COVID-19 resulted in stay at home mandates with businesses and organizations forced to close their doors as an attempt to stop the spread of the highly contagious virus, but it’s been a blessing to learn what the Lutheran Prison Ministry has planted within the walls of a detention center is starting to bear fruit.

We’ve learned the seeds sown in months and years past have resulted in growing hope for the men and women currently detained at the El Paso Immigration Center, as shared in a letter by Chaplain Dave Semmens, “It is beautiful to see the men/women receiving communion and teachings that you have made possible…the detained find a space and begin praying or reading the materials.”

It’s been over ten years since Rev Dr. Karl Heimer started offering services for men and women, in English and Spanish, for the many immigrant detainees who are waiting for their case to be processed.  With the help of Miguel Muñoz, member of San Pablo Lutheran Church and musician with the Adelante Ministries of YLM, the Word of God has been shared through Scripture, Christian Literature, and mariachi style music by the Lutheran Prison Ministry.

“We do hope that you will prayerfully consider volunteering again when one day it is possible again,” Chaplain Semmens wrote towards the end of his letter.  That particular hope has been answered in the person of the recent addition to the YLM staff, Rev. John Benito Morejón, who is passionate about helping with the prison ministry.

“I don’t like that these people are detained,” he shared, “But what this ministry does, that I like.  It helps give them hope, and it helps them experience God’s strength through their hard times.  I look forward to being a part of this special ministry, where God’s love is shared through His Word and through music.”

As hope continues to sprout within the walls of the detention center, the Lutheran Prison Ministry continues to work at providing them with materials necessary to help nurture their faith and their hearts, all the while preparing and praying for the day when they can once again bring the Word and Love of God to those who are not allowed outside their prison gates.