La Roca, my nightly destination for the past two months has closed to men. I am not sure why, but they are only making their services available for women. However they opened a new shelter in the other side of the city. I set out one afternoon in bike to find the shelter.
I found it after a couple hours of biking and questioning... It was quite barebones and I guess they have not been too busy beacuse nobody knows of their services. I will start bring people there...
I stumbled upon San Juan Bosco as well. It is the government supported shelter I have been trying to find for the past couple weeks. I went back the following morning to meet the managaer but was told she would not be back until the evening. I made my way there that evening and was met by a fiery women who runs the shelter. She is something else... Anyway, I asked if I could stay the night at the shelter to help out and learn about the services. While she was hesitant, she welcomed me. For that I put myself to work right away. As the migrants are deported through the gate in Nogales, they are brought to the shelter by either Grupio BETA or the Mexico Immigratino Agency. Many of the men and women who arrived came without shoes, sweatshirts, or jackets. And it is cold. Anyway, I welcomed them, told them the rules I learned just two minutes before, and sat them down for hot coffe and cookies, which was very much welcomed. We had groups arrive at 6 in the afternoon, 10 at night, 1230, and the final group at 1 in the morning. It was chilly, even inside, but the migrants were certainly thankful to have a roof and some blankets...
I was able to learn a lot and I am eager to return. While the atmosphere there is a little cold and impersonal, I am eager to learn more about this place that really is one of the principal services for migrants here. Further, I was reaffirmed of the importance of our services at the comedor. It is not until they step through the doors of the comedor that they are welcomed with a hearty meal and a warm welcoming environment.
While the men did have to share beds, we did not have to roll out the mattress. I guess a month ago they were lining the floors with the mats and even sleeping people in the kitchen.
We celebrated thanksgiving in the Jesuits house in Arizona...
Father Pete and the turkey. He and Adolofo spent most the day working on it.
Una Parada En El Camino Edition 14
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/64023160/UPC-11-22
Happy thanksgiving! Great picture of Fr. Pete he looks like a cool man haha Keep up the good work down there. FYI I checked out the proper blogger-etiquette for responses; they are optional and in no way required haha. See you soon man and best of luck.
ReplyDelete-Ryan