Over my 42 years of church ministry, almost 25 years as an ordained deacon, I have had the great honor of ministering with and to Latino families. Less one is tempted to lump all Latinos into one basket, the cultures of Latin America are as distinct as the cultures that separate Bostonians from New Yorkers, Alabamans from Chicagoans, residents of Los Angeles from those of Minneapolis and St Paul. Ecuadorians are not the same as Mexicans. Though they both speak Spanish, the way it is expressed and the colloquialisms are unique to their culture. Not all Latinos like hot, spicy food. Ecuadorians, in fact, like rather bland tasting food. The one thing I have found consistent in ministering with the Latino communities I have known is a work ethic that puts mine to shame and a faith in God of which I am truly envious.
One of my closest relationships has been with Jorge, Monica, and their daughter, Julissa. Jorge always called me DE-con Bob. I helped Jorge with his English and he helped me with my Spanish. Jorge and Monica were both from Acapulco. I remember being at their home after a 12 inch snowfall. Monica expressed to me that when she lived in Acapulco, she though snow was just “movie magic.” She hadn’t known how real it was until she moved to Minnesota and had to drive in it.
Julissa, Jorge and Monica’s daughter, was born approximately the time my first grandchildren were born. Julissa played with my grandson, Owen, and my granddaughter, Alyssa.
I have lost contact with Jorge, Monica, and Julissa. While here, they were supporting their families in the Acapulco area and saving up to start a law practice in Mexico. They are both lawyers, and met each other in law school. Julissa would be 17 years old now.
I think of them often as I see the plight of many immigrant families on our southern border. I pray for these families just as I continue to pray for my good friends Jorge, Monica and Julissa. The prophet Jeremiah once prayed that Israel’s heart is turned from that of stone into a heart of flesh. I pray that the same can be done in our own nation.
