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What were your daily duties?
Each morning we could choose between mass and the kitchen, so I alternated. It is a very small kitchen so not all of us could cook at the same time. We did a lot of cooking for the migrants and could join them for meals. We also did a lot of cleaning in the shelter. Between helping at the shelter, we ventured out to experience the culture of the area. A parishioner took us to Juárez, Mexico to show us the true Mexican spirit.
How was your experience taking care of the migrant?
It was powerful being able to feed the migrants. To help nourish them in that way. Many have just come from a facility who knows what kind of nourishment they received. It put things into perspective to feed these migrant families. We take for granted how food and drink is so accessible for the average American.
I have a Spanish speaking background and one of my main focus’ for the week was to help with the interpreting. Many migrants were from Brazil and Portuguese speaking, not Spanish. Fortunately, I was still able to communicate. One main area of interpreting I helped with was with migrants picking out new clothing.
Besides helping with the food and interpreting, we also helped with the ministry of presence. This is often overlooked but is very important. Through my interactions I would try to get a sense of what they had experienced prior to coming to St. Francis without them having to relive what they had just gone through. I tried to be a good listener instead of asking questions. I could tell that many felt a sense of relief to be in a place that they felt welcomed and cared for, and because of that, they were able to let their guard down a bit.
Did you have any expectations going into the trip?
I wanted to see for myself what the reality is for the migrants and how the church is trying to meet that challenge. In particularly, how the Assumptionists community is answering the gospel mandate to welcome a stranger. I clearly saw that the community there is answering that call to the best of their ability.
How many migrants came through when you were there?
All the cots were full when we got there. I believe there are about 40-50 cots in the hall. The fellowship hall had been transformed into a refugee center, which was truly amazing.
Any last thoughts from the experience?
It struck me that the church was able to meet one of the greatest challenges of our time. Help the people escape violence and poverty. This movement of people is happening all over the world.
This phenomenon of people leaving their home country to find a better life, is forcing people to take seriously and ask themselves, “Is everyone around the world truly my brother and sister?”
Before we left El Paso, Br. Matthew asked me a question that stayed with me. He asked,
“What are you taking back with you?”
I said, “I am leaving with a sense of the resilience of the human spirit.”
The church can meet that resilience and help to transform it into human flourishing.
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