On Thursday, January 6, hundreds of refugee families along the U.S.-Mexico border, in Matamoros, Mexico received gifts and supplies in celebration of Epiphany or Three Kings Day, a significant Hispanic holiday, thanks to the effort of many Fellowship Southwest’s partner churches and organizations. The goods were distributed in the Esperanza (Hope) and Corazón (Heart) migrant shelters, and in a slum in Playa Bagdad (Baghdad Beach) – on the Gulf coast 25 miles from Gateway International Bridge between Brownsville and Matamoros– where hundreds of Hispanic and Haitian refugees have relocated.   

“We distributed toys, bicycles, piñatas, clothes, medications, bedding and food to over 900 people,” said Eleuterio González, pastor of Iglesia Valle de Beraca in Matamoros who hosted the event and is a member of Fellowship Southwest’s immigrant relief ministry. 

Fellowship Southwest’s Executive Director, Stephen Reeves, joined Pastor González, his wife and co-pastor Norma, Jorge Zapata, and dozens of volunteers from their youth group called “Los Transformers” for the distribution. “It was great to be a part of the celebration of this big Latin American holiday. Iglesia Valle Baraca is a remarkable congregation, and we are proud to support their ministry. To see firsthand what the generous supporters of our Knox fund make possible was a blessing.”

These gifts were possible thanks to the donations from partner organizations such as Hearts4Kids, Baylor University, and Agape Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas. “We blessed many children and many families,” said Jorge Zapata, Executive Director of Heart4Kids. “Events like this can only be done by many organizations working together. We are proud of that.”

Following the distribution, Reeves and Zapata joined the pastors and a small group of civic leaders for a ceremony celebrating the progress and partnerships joining forces to build a community center serving migrants in downtown Matamoros. 

To support Fellowship Southwest’s immigrant relief ministry, which includes the work of Iglesia Valle de Beraca and other work with refugees along the border, click here.