Wednesday, October 15, 2014

There’s something about a kind welcome that sets a tone.  At Sacred Heart in McAllen the fellowship hall is full of clothing and necessities, warm food, toys and joyful children’s music.

APTS students serving at Sacred Heart Catholic Church 

Located just a few blocks from the bus station it is at the eye of the storm for people in transition.  Once cleared from detention centers, people are dropped off with their bus tickets at the station with no instruction, the clothes on their back and small children in tow.  Volunteers invite them to the church for their “layover” to eat, to shower, to receive clean clothes, and to rest.

People coming in are greeted with clapping, and with smiles.  The children are immediately given pedialyte to rehydrate and the mothers receive water.  And then, they are welcomed to the table, to sit, to eat, and to be served.  They find affirmation and welcome, and a bit of empowerment.  They have made it across a treacherous landscape and can breathe easy for a few moments.

Shoelaces and hair ribbons seem unlikely as a self-harming tool, but they are confiscated at the detention center.  Moms and children remain in their traveling clothes, underwear and shoes, but laces and ribbons are taken and replaced with foil.

Refugee Single Mother from Central American

Sometimes a shower is therapeutic, sometimes cathartic.  Sometimes, it washes off the grime and grit of a life’s episode and there is a clean slate for tomorrow.  The foil that wrapped thick and lush hair into a semblance of a pony tail is tossed aside for a beautiful hair ribbon, fresh shoes, clothes, bra and underwear.  Empowering.  Enough of a catalyst of compassion to keep moving on the journey.

In a small town an hour or so south of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a small church retreat center, Good Samaritan (Disciples of Christ) do tremendous work with women in dire situations.  But empowerment goes on here as well, as women learn to sew, making a few things for themselves, and more things to sell.  A new trade is learned.  Bible studies are available, a caring pastor and co-pastor wife teach them to eat local plants, to take something small and make it work.

In a town a bit further south, Christians are coming together to make policy changes, work for human rights and find ways to make a difference that lasts.  It weaves its efforts through the Valley and a united voice is heard – and has an impact.

The work of Christ is done here, quietly with those in need, loudly with those in power, reverently, by Christians from all walks of life with their feet solidly planted on the ground.  Realistic, tough, and compassionate. 

Holy ground indeed.

Janet Hahn