Two pastors on the U.S.-Mexico border have more reliable transportation to serve immigrants, thanks to the generosity of Fellowship Southwest churches. 

Pastor Lorenzo Ortiz in Laredo drives across the border every day to serve refugees he shelters in Nuevo Laredo and Saltillo. In order to protect them from the cartels, Ortiz keeps them off the streets by shuttling them in a 15-passenger van. He often shuttles immigrants to and from Nuevo Laredo, Saltillo and Monterrey, a three-hour drive one-way, several days a week.

With all this mileage, Ortiz’s old van was going to give out any day. Fellowship Southwest realized Ortiz needed a newer van to continue his ministry and began to raise funds to purchase it. 

Meanwhile, Pastor Eleuterio González spends much of his time and resources helping refugees in tent camps and a shelter in Matamoros. With only his small SUV and sometimes a pickup, González was providing local transportation for the refugees. When Hurricane Hanna pummeled the region, González knew he had to get the refugees to shelter. He spent all night shuttling refugees to dry quarters, one small load after another. 

Fellowship Southwest quickly realized González needed a 15-passenger van as well. Thanks to the generosity of seven congregations and in partnership with Catholic Charities, Fellowship Southwest purchased vans for Ortiz and González. 

Fellowship Southwest provided more than $13,000 for Ortiz’s new van. Catholic Charities added an additional $10,000. This collective act of generosity inspired the owner of a car dealership in Harlingen, Boggus Ford, to donate the taxes for the van, which totaled $2,400. 

Jorge Zapata, director of immigrant relief ministries for Fellowship Southwest, found a used 15-passenger van in good shape for González. For $8,500, Zapata bought the van, replaced two seats, and gave it a full tune-up. 

Churches in Fellowship Southwest sent money to buy the vans: Agape Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas; First Baptist Church in Abilene, Texas; Second Baptist Church in Lubbock, Texas; South Main Baptist Church in Houston; Sugar Land Baptist Church in  Sugar Land, Texas; Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas; and Woodland Baptist Church in San Antonio. Fellowship Southwest bought magnets with our logo that will stick to the doors of each van. 

Ortiz and González use the new vans daily. They often load them with bottled water, sports drinks, clothing and shoes for the refugees. Then they are provide safe transportation for the migrants, protecting them from danger.

The new vans in Nuevo Laredo and Matamoros ensure longevity and efficiency for these ministries, which bring relief and hope to many vulnerable people.