Judy Minton Lopez
Our work in Piedras Negras has evolved into a beautiful refugee ministry. The difficult and unpredictable circumstances of 2020 forced hundreds of immigrants and asylum seekers to remain in Mexico. This allowed us to not only welcome the “stranger” and meet some of their needs but to form amazing friendships, to love them deeply and to work side by side with some of them in ministry. 80 percent of our congregation are immigrants. Every Sunday we have between 5-10 nations represented. Our church runs bus routes Sunday morning picking up immigrants from all over the city and transporting them to church. Sometimes we have as many as 5 routes. God has allowed CR to connect with over a 1000 immigrants in the last couple of months. I know 100s of them personally and we have been able to meet some of their physical needs (food, clothing, kitchen supplies,beds and bedding, medicine, employment and even oxygen tanks for immigrants with Covid). We have chat groups that have turned into hotlines and intense networking that help us to be able to meet needs. Most importantly we offer our friendship, our time and our home. Immigrants live in fear and our first task is to make them feel welcome, loved and protected. Our first words to them is “you are not alone”. Our ranch continues to be a home for many. This week we have 29. The ranch usually houses people for days or weeks. We have been blessed to have a precious Honduran family of 5 with us for a year.
We also work with a soup kitchen at a local church a tent shelter at another church.
God allowed us to help hundreds of Hondurans and Central Americans during the terrible winter storm. CR staff and Venezuelan immigrants, who are very much a part of our team, worked non-stop for about 10 days in intense cold, with no water or electricity. We found coats and blankets and made hot food for immigrants living in tents and make shift housing. We also brought some of the most vulnerable into our dorms.
Because of the new administrations PRO-immigrant policies 1000s are making their way north through Mexico to cross the border. There is much confusion in American immigration policies and corruption in government agencies both in Mexico and in USA is deplorable. There is an increase in immigration(majority Hondurans) across the border. Many are single men but we are seeing many many women and children as well. They risk their lives and the lives of their children to make this journey but they say they have nothing to loose. At least 10 have drowned here in Piedras just within the last month or two. Women are raped, families kidnapped for ransom, and many are injured from walking or jumping the train. Honduras does a very poor job of educating its population and gangs and violence have taken over their streets. It is a privilege to work with these people and God is continuously guiding, directing, and opening doors for us in the immigrant community. My prayer for many years has been that God would put in my path the people He wants us to minister to. Carlos and I meet new people everyday. Last night someone told my husband about men they had seen in a field hiding. They are black people and because of their color they are very vulnerable here in Mexico. He went out to look for them and found six men. When he pulled the car close they ran. He yelled that he was there to help them find shelter and food. He took them to the ranch. They will probably not stay long, but for as long as they stay they will see Jesus in us!
We will soon say goodbye to the MPP immigrants from Venezuela and Cuba who have been in our city nearly 2 years. Praise God they will soon be allowed into the US to finish their asylum process. The USA will be blessed to have them. They are hard working, very educated, very positive people fleeing for political reasons. God has done amazing things in their lives here in Piedras and they will be missed in our city! I will especially miss them. God taught me many things through their precious friendships. Northside, I love you! and I hope that you can see and understand how God puts all the pieces together for HIS GLORY. Thank you!