“I am thrilled to be able to volunteer at La Posada. La Posada’s mission and San Benito’s weather are praises included in letters I send back to Michigan. I am a “seasonal volunteer.” I am volunteering at La Posada for the second winter January [2017] – March [2018]. I have the designation, “Winter Texan.”

In my faith tradition, Jesus’ incarnation shows us how much God loves the world. Jesus identified his mission on earth as a justice-seeking mission.

Luke 4: 18-19

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor,

He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind,

to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the lord’s favor.

It is with lament that I admit refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers were not “on my radar” for the first 70 years of my life. During my mission work in Palestine, Israel and Jordon, I met displaced persons. Refugee issues went from my head to my heart. Their plight grips my heart.

The reality from the window of a Church of the Nativity on Manger Square brought understanding.  Jesus knew first hand of the pain of being a refugee child. Do you wonder what family stories Mary might have told Jesus about their plight as refugees? Our Christian Scripture tell us that what we do or fail to do for refugees, asylum seekers we do to or fail to do for Jesus.

Jesus hears the prayers and praises of over 9000 immigrants and asylum seekers who have La Posada as part of their family stories. On each of their journeys, La Posada has been home and we are family learning from and with each other.

The focus of my volunteer activity [at La Posada] is in the classroom. It is very rewarding to be able to see progress as residents learn English. For some, English is their third or fourth language. I also help a couple hours a week in the office. Meals together also are special to me.”