JnR Journey Notes

We are hearing the question, "What can I do?" a lot these days as immigration rules change often and make life very difficult for those directly affected by the changing landscape. Once again, here in LaGrange, Georgia, we are incarnated into the lives of people directly affected through the households on our street as well as through our work with El Refugio that assists immigrant detainees. We've heard a lot of shouting and anger from both sides of 'the issue,' but when you know the people, it is no longer just 'an issue.' It is the mother who wants to learn English, but has no time or energy to do so after working 50 hours a week and caring for her family of six on a minimum-wage income. It is the man who gets pulled over for a broken tail light and because his skin is brown. His name gets run through the system and he now faces deportation. (Who of us reading this fears that one minor infraction could mark the end of our family life?) It is the chi...

Enjoying an evening sunset walk by a lake near our present location in Georgia Summer finds us in Georgia. We are living in LaGrange, a small town about 1 1/2 hours south of Atlanta. Our purpose for being here is still to serve under SOOP (Service Opportunities with Our Partners), a branch of Mennonite Mission Network. If you have been following this blog, you've seen an overarching 'theme' of work with immigrants and asylum seekers. This location continues and expands on what we have done thus far and is more intensive in that relationship building opportunities have increased here. Along with that comes an increased awareness of the injustices, difficulties, and pain suffered by many who have come to this country--as our own ancestors have--seeking relief from the above. We are living in an apartment with Anton and Charlotte Flores until we can get another apartment ready for ourselves just a few doors down on the same street. This second apartment will then...