Fall 2005Rocio Robles
There’s never a typical day in the Family Support Center. I sit down to answer letters from the prison, or write to the believers in Honduras. But then a Mixteco or Triqui family comes in needing work clothes. It’s not just the clothing—it’s breaking down barriers so we can gain their confidence. The next time they have a problem, they won’t be afraid to come.
I’ve met many families this way—especially wives of prisoners and single mothers struggling to support their children. Most are undocumented and some can’t read or write. With great humility they ask me to fill out their work applications. Others are looking for a place to live with their children. Some don’t know how to drive.
For example, Yolanda has four children and is udocumented. But that’s not a barrier to working—she can count on us to help her fill out a money order, give her a ride, or just provide a place to talk about her pain.
Some people come with traffic violations and are afraid of landing in jail and being deported. Others have immigration applications and need to know how their case is going, or need a lawyer they can trust.
Other people live alone, carrying a heavy burden of loneliness. Tierra Nueva is like an oasis, because here they have someone to tell their stories to, even though they tell the same stories again and again.
It’s so beautiful when someone opens their heart to me for the first time. Even when they repeat the same thing over and over again, I realize our mission here is to be servants.
The people are our highest priority. They always have to come first—the ones who need attention, or a ride, or come anguished, worried, sad, or alone. We offer them a safe place where they can experience the love of Christ.
