Sacred Welcome and Hospitality
By Anyra Cano
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim freedom to the captives.”
Last month in Brownsville, TX, alongside Pastor Carlos Navarro and Iglesia Bautista West Brownsville, we gathered in a welcome center set up for non-profits to offer food, water and other basic needs to refugees and migrants. Minutes before they enter this welcome center, they are released from Border Patrol detention centers.
About 300 were welcomed to our country that day. Pastor Navarro played music and waved flags representing their countries and had all the volunteers cheer for those entering the welcome center. The place transformed into a jubilee.
While they waited in line to pick up the items gifted to them, Pastor Navarro stood on a chair and with great joy and a sincere heart, announced, “Welcome, bienvenidos, bienvenue. We want you to know that a group of churches and non-profits are here to welcome you to our country. They have provided for us to share these resources with you. We know that you have had a long and difficult journey, but we want you to know that you are safe now, and you are welcomed here.” The faces of the migrants lit up with hope.
Church volunteers then proceeded to give out clothing, water, a meal and Bibles. Volunteers stood with migrants and offered prayers and shared the Gospel with them.
Elket Rodriguez, CBF Field Personnel, and I were passing out waters and Gatorade when I was asked to join the pastor in front of the line where the migrants were standing.
At that moment, I lived out one of the most sacred moments in my ministry. I was given a pair of scissors and was assigned the task of cutting off the wrist bands migrants wear in detention. It is a band with a bar code that identifies them as a detainee in the holding place.
As I began cutting off those wrist bands, the words of Luke 4:18 came to my mind, God had anointed me to proclaim their release. I intentionally looked at each one of their teary eyes as I cut off the bands and prayed blessings over them. Their faces would transform from shame to confidence.
Never had I experienced such beauty in welcoming strangers.
Later that day, we toured the respite center that Fellowship Southwest helped build and renovate. Two families, single mothers with their children, had arrived and we were there to welcome them. Pastor Navarro had teddy bears for the children, bibles for the moms and new hygiene kits ready for all of them.
I was so encouraged to see how well the church welcomes migrants. It was very evident that the two families who had just arrived felt embraced and wanted.
The next day during church, Pastor Navarro planned a time to welcome all those in the congregation who have recently arrived, especially those who are staying at the respite center. That day the families who had stayed in the respite center were from Mexico, so he had the Mexican flag ready, along with a traditional Mexican song, and proceeded to welcome them once more to our country. He then shared some very profound and significant words.
“I was born in Guatemala, and once came to this country with no papers. My first night in the USA was the worst and miserable night of my life. I made a promise, that I would do everything I could to offer hospitality to anyone who needed it, so they would never experience what I did on my first night. My hope is that anyone who enters our country, will be welcomed and offered hospitality.”
Tears ran down the faces of those single moms, who felt so secure and taken care of. I was reminded of the day I surrendered my life to Jesus, knowing I was safe in the arms of God.
As I think of the welcome extended by pastor Navarro, I am inspired, but I am also challenged to reflect on the following questions, “How do I extend hospitality to strangers? Does my welcome offer good news, freedom, and healing?”
Pastor Navarro, and the other ministries we partner with at the border, offer welcome to hundreds of immigrants seeking refuge in our country. Everyday they are living out Luke 4:18 through their ministries.
Their ministries provide sacred hospitality, welcome and basic needs. I have seen the impact it has on the spirits of those who come expecting very little but in need of much.
However, the need is becoming greater. The imminent arrival of many more immigrants stands to overwhelm the capacity of our partners. They are committed to this work and to stretching every resource, nevertheless, more is needed.
We might not all be physically able to go to the border to offer hospitality to newly arrived migrants, though you are invited to do so if you can. But we can all participate in this ministry through our gifts.
Will you partner with us in funding this sacred work? Your financial gifts help provide meals, shelter, transportation, and other basic needs to migrants at the border. Each of our partners practice the kind of loving and dignified welcome that Pastor Navarro models. Together, we can live out the calling of Jesus.
Anyra Cano is the director of programs and outreach at Fellowship Southwest.