DAY 5 - WEDNESDAY

PASTOR JUAN'S STORY, IMMIGRATION 101, DINNER AT SACRED HEART SHELTER

We started the morning at Cristo Rey listening to Pastor Juan De Dios Lopez share his personal story and experiences working with refugees through Cristo Rey. He started working as a young 8 year old child in rural Mexico, as there were funds only to send the eldest child to school & he was the third. Having been raised in the Catholic Church his faith drew him to serve in the church after working many other jobs and starting a family in the US. He studied English, earned his GED, then took Bible training in LA, a 14 hour bus ride each way between school & home, every weekend. His desire to serve the church was fulfilled after seminary, culminating with his ordination in the city park near Cristo Rey. He draws on his own experiences to tend the refugees he encounters in El Paso.


The morning also included a presentation by Michael De Bruhl, Director at Sacred Heart Shelter. Being a retired Border Patrol officer & with experience in Washington, D.C., he led us through "Immigration 101," yet another fascinating perspective.


The afternoon found some of us assembling snack bags & kiddo packets, while some of us prepared a spaghetti meal for 120 people. We loaded it all into the van, drove back to Sacred Heart Shelter to serve the meal & pass out the packets. After all were served, inside and outside the shelter, we had the pleasure of sitting down to eat & visit with shelter residents. Such a unique opportunity!


Pam Larson




            


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