While they wait at the border

Over the past year or so, I’ve lamented with friends about the state of our southern border.  Some have rallied politically to try to change the system to make it easier for people to enter our country and to stop the processes separating family members.  Not usually being politically inclined, I have been listening for a different way to help.

A few weeks ago, I found my answer when one of my pastors introduced her at church.

“One thing I know about Jean,” he offered, holding us in suspense for a moment, “is that she gets it done.”

The congregation clapped as Jean Sicurella, mother of five and long-standing church member, introduced us to her new 501c3 non-profit organization Mision de Caridad.

Moved into action by distressing pictures of women and children sleeping outside while awaiting legal entry to the United States, she partnered with her friend, Pastor Francisco Ortega, who was equally concerned about the increasing number of people in limbo within his town of San Luis Rio Colorado, in Sonora Mexico.

Recognizing Mexico as an entry-point to the US, immigrants from Central America and Africa, in addition to Mexicans, have gathered at the border in hopes of being granted asylum.  As the Mision de Caridad’s recent newsletter describes, this process can take months and even years longer than the people are prepared to wait. They run out of money and resources and are unable to integrate into Mexican society in the meantime.

Mision de Caridad seeks to fill the gap by providing temporary housing, job training, education and a safe environment for women and children in two locations -- San Luis Rio Colorado and Mexicali, Mexico.

There are many ways to support those who wait.  My husband and I decided to support this organization for its specific focus of meeting the needs of women and children in these locations.  Jean and her organization has made it possible to have real impact on this small part of the world.

As Jean stated during her presentation at church, “It’s about the people, not the politics.” 

Read more on their website.  Consider helping in this very practical way.