By Karen Schafer
Last month St. Paul’s Mission Team tapped mission outreach funds for a contribution to Francis House in Albuquerque in support of their work at the border. Our connection with them was facilitated by Trish Herron.
Francis House, a.k.a. Francis House Catholic Worker, is a storefront located in a small strip mall in an impoverished area of the International District in Albuquerque. It serves its neighbors with food and friendship. Glenn Rosendale and Linda Swindle with two others were instrumental in founding Francis House.
On two Wednesdays a month, Linda and Glenn drive to El Paso in a car loaded with donations and meet up with the two founders of Seguimos Adelante, Lindy and Will, who almost daily drive to Juarez and give donations to some of the 15 shelters that exist for all the asylees and other immigrants who are refused entrance to the United States, or are returned to struggle in Juarez. Asylees come from Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Brazil, Venezuela, Ecuador, Cuba and others.
What follows is part of the most recent newsletter from Linda and Glenn. At the end of the newsletter is complete contact information, including how to donate directly to the critical work they are doing. St. Paul’s contribution is in direct line with our commitment to provide aid to asylum seekers:
July 8 Trip to El Paso and Juarez
Dear friends,
This was to be a special trip, and we were not disappointed. We parked the car at Casa Vides in El Paso and crossed the border at the Stanton St. Bridge with the founders in the Seguimos Adelante van. Our destination was a Methodist shelter for migrants and refugees, “El Buen Samaritano Alberque Para Migrantes,” run by Pastor Juan Fierro Garcia.
The van jerked and swayed through a maze of narrow alleys in the “old” part of Juarez, past crumbling structures with sagging walls, barely clinging to the steep hillsides. Every inch of land was claimed by jerry-rigged structures leaning this way and that, made of metal, cinderblock and any material available. A diagonal line of concrete slabs made a precarious path up a hill so steep that a river of mud could take them down in a rainstorm. We navigated flooded streets and potholes, giving the buses a wide berth (buses “rule”). All around were signs of unimaginable poverty, yet evidence of incredible industry and tenacity as well.
With one last improbable turn and lurch we arrived at the whitewashed walls of the compound at around 10:45 a.m. Pastor Juan and his wife, Lolita, “supervisor” Martha, and others greeted us warmly, showing us into the Pastor’s cool (solar powered) office. The various buildings of the shelter/church were designated “the old part” and the “new part” that was still under construction. The shelter houses 47 migrants including a 9-day-old newborn named “Aurelio.” The mix of nationalities is impressive: Cuba, Brazil, El Salvador, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Guatemala. A bilingual translator helped with Portuguese speakers, but one can imagine the challenge of indigenous languages.
We began our tour of the serpentine older building. We passed by swings and a climbing structure. Sleeping quarters for women and children were tightly furnished with bright blue bunk beds. Sewing machines sat temporarily idle in the sewing room, where women make masks. Men’s quarters were a separate building. In the distance were some structures with white fabric walls, which we assumed were the greenhouses where they grow a wealth of vegetables. This was confirmed by the shelter’s Facebook site that I will reference at the end of this report. The new construction already houses 29 inhabitants and will provide a new kitchen, residence, and rooms for activities now mostly held in the church worship space. What a production! A more sober reminder: Pastor Juan pointed out a room he called “security” with video monitors to protect guests from kidnappers.
It was time to return to the worship/community space and finally get to meet the women and the many children who remained safely protected while the men presumably were at their jobs, perhaps at the U.S.-owned maquiladoras (assembly plants).
We marveled at the friendship and ease of so many nationalities and languages gathered together. Aurelio’s mom brought over her sleeping infant, cozily swaddled in a white blanket. We paused to reflect on the unknown prospects for all the people gathered here, relying solely on faith to pursue their dreams. Faces around us seemed content, trusting enough to meet our gaze with a smile.
We said our goodbyes and returned to El Paso without incident. Since then I have visited the shelter’s Facebook website (search for “Iglesia Metodista De México A.R. Templo El Buen Pastor de CD. Juarez). Photos show guests engaged in Bible study and evangelization activities, video-led lessons, kids’ soccer-like exercise activities of kicking papier-mâché balls, and many celebrations with music. What a vibrant community of hope hidden behind those whitewashed walls.
In the future, we would like to visit other shelters served by Seguimos Adelante, perhaps some that are more remote and less supported. Pastor Juan mentioned that the new shelter under construction will not have solar power, and faces the high cost of electricity. The next focus will be educational materials for the children. We will publish a list in the future.
As for Francis House, we can always use homemade cookies. We now serve 6 days a week, closed on Wednesdays. Foreseeing the winter, we are beginning to accept donations of blankets and warm jackets. We are grateful for our soup and sandwich makers, and are open to more volunteers for help with that and to help us serve food most days of the week.
Blessings and prayerful thoughts to all of you.
Linda and Glenn
Donations may be sent directly to Glenn. Checks should be made payable to Francis House Catholic Worker and mailed to 528 Charleston SE, #4, Albuquerque, NM 87108. Please include a note that the funds are for asylum seekers in Juarez. The website for the organization in Mexico is https://www.seguimosadelante.org/
If you have questions or would like to volunteer, contact Glenn Rosendale at 505-489-8100 or gmrosendale@gmail.com. Linda’s suggestions for needed items are Clorox Wipes, medical-grade masks (on internet) or any masks for adults and kids, Nido (powdered milk), diapers (sizes 3, 4, 5 only) and school supplies. However, cash is preferred as that allows Lindy and Will to purchase supplies and food in Juarez rather than risk being turned back at the heavily restricted border.