With El Paso being the destination for hundreds of people fleeing untenable circumstances in search for entry, a dedicated Ysleta Lutheran Mission (YLM) staff are committed to finding ways to be a source of help, hope and kindness.  “We’ve gone through this once before,” Rev. Dr. Karl Heimer mentioned, “We had over 1,000 Cubans were on our campus until they were able to move on to their planned destination.”

Juarez, Mexico has become the waiting city for many seeking entry through El Paso and has become the drop-off city for deportees, which means their migrant numbers have grown rapidly in the last year or two.  Thanks to the generosity of donors throughout the United States, and Canada, YLM has been able to offer a helping hand across the border, and states, to organizations currently struggling to meet needs.

Juaréz, Mexico: Dirección de Derechos Humanos

“There are twelve shelters and several churches we’re currently partnering with,” Miguel Soto with Dirección de Derechos Humanos (Human Rights) collected up to 4,800 pounds of beans, along with several dozen blankets and pillows, “We estimate about 1500, but we can only account for those who come to the shelters and churches.  There’s many who are living in the streets, most of them staying close to the ports of entry.”

In April of 2019, over 20,000 bushels of beans were donated to YLM through Orphan Grain Train.  At last count, over 57 pallets of beans, with each pallet holding an estimate of 2,400 pounds, have been distributed through YLM.  Many of those pallets have gone across the border to help feed hundreds currently waiting for their request to be processed.

Juaréz, Mexico: Cruz Roja Mexicana

“We get so many donations through the Orphan Grain Train,” Marisa De Santiago, a long-term volunteer who assists with distributions and donations, explained, “Most of the time, we can put them to use right away, but every once in a while, we get the kind of donations requiring us to partner with other organizations who can make use of it.”

The Cruz Roja Mexicana (Mexican Red Cross) picked up medical equipment and supplies valued at $80,000.  “We’re always in need of supplies and equipment,” Alejandro Martinez, a Mexican Red Cross volunteer, shared how the medical part of the Mexican Red Cross was funded, “Considering we’re entirely dependent on donations and volunteers, it’s a struggle to equip our first aid stations with supplies and working equipment.”

Deming, New Mexico

There’s also the situation where people still needing to be processed are being dropped off in places such Deming, New Mexico, where their fairgrounds have been turned into a processing center.

Organizations in, and out, of Deming are attempting to meet the needs of these new additions to their population.  Pack Away Hunger organization partnered up with Orphan Grain Train and sent over 33,000 freeze dried meals to be picked up at YLM and taken to Deming, New Mexico.  Volunteers from AHOWAN, a non-profit organization involved in helping with the migrant situation at Deming, arrived with an empty U-Haul around the same time as the packed eighteen-wheeler.

They reported having arrived in time to deliver the freeze-dried meals to four different places in Deming –a battered women’s shelter, Veteran’s Assistance, a homeless center, and where migrants are being sheltered.

Pastor Heimer stated with an expression of compassion, “To us, it’s not about taking sides of the debate, but about helping our neighbor.  Who is our neighbor?  Right now, all those people from far-away places who have no home, no food, no clothes … if we have the means but not the way, then we find who does and help them help others.”