By Bess Sproul
Last May, I went with a delegation from the New England Synod on a week-long Border Immersion experience. It was led by Pastor Rosemary Sanchez-Guzman, pastor of Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey in El Paso. Among other things, we provided dinner for migrants who had passed the “credible fear” test and were transitioning to be with their sponsor families in other parts of the country. Migrants are no longer being allowed to wait for their hearings in this country, but are being forced to wait in Juarez, across the border in Mexico. There is not enough shelter, and many are living on the streets. Pastor Rosemary crosses the border frequently with sweatshirts and sleeping bags for the migrants.
Pastor Rebecca Bourret of Christ Lutheran Church, Natick, was on the trip in May, and knew that Cristo Rey needed a new van. She also knew that Logan Express, the shuttle service from Framingham to Logan Airport, was going to sell its vans at auction, to change over to propane powered vans. Her congregation raised enough money to purchase one of the vans! Pastor Rosemary and her husband will fly to Boston in late February, spend a few days, and drive the van back to El Paso. Pastor Rebecca hopes to fill the van with sweatshirts and sleeping bags to send for the migrants waiting for their hearings.
We can help! During February, as part of Necessities for Neighbors, we will be collecting new and gently used sleeping bags, sweatshirts, and new socks to share with the migrants, through the excellent ministry of Iglesia Luterana Cristo Rey. The members of that congregation have very low incomes, but are amazing in their outreach and caring for others.
When Pastor Rosemary comes to receive the van, she is going to lead a one-day Border Immersion experience at Christ Lutheran Church, Natick. The tentative date for that is Saturday, February 22. I will keep you updated with information about that. I cannot recommend it highly enough!
As a new member of Trinity, I am pleased to share this opportunity for outreach with the congregation.
Bess Sproul