At a Posadas Prayer Procession with the refugees!
As many Central American Refugees continue to come to the USA looking for a home I discover more about their lives and those here in the states who are sponsoring them. Many times as we converse about where they are going, who is waiting for them, what the future will bring they respond with the phrase “Primero Dios” “God is First.” This short phrase reveals to me the depth of faith and hope the people have with such uncertainty in their lives.
Walking with the people who come to the Center, with the other volunteers and those who come to make donations continues to have many blessings and challenges. I have cleaned the bathrooms more times than I can count, the sun shines rarely (which everyone in McAllen insists is very unusual), the unpredictability of how many people will come each day and the emotional ups and downs of meeting people, sharing with them on such a dire level and then saying good bye calls me to try to live the phrase, “Primero Dios.”
With some of the “regulars” of Catholic Charities ministry at the Center!
I’m including a variety of pictures from these past two months and an article that appeared in the McAllen newspaper. God’s blessings upon each of us as we learn that it is God’s love that connects us especially during this Christmas time of celebrating Jesus’ presence with us!
With a Mom and her daughter before dinner!
One of the very grateful groups of immigrant refugees ready to go to take the Greyhound to various parts of the USA to be with their families!
A mother with her child!