Luck of the Draw, from dictionary.com:
Dear Senora,
We arrived at the Catholic Respite Mission (CRC) this morning, maybe a little too eager to get started helping. The logo under the main sign read “Restoring Human Dignity” (scroll in to see). Indeed. We were in the right place. (Also, Alabama there, third from the left Jesus.)
When we walked in, the waiting room smelled like laundry detergent and air conditioning. I didn’t realize air conditioning had a smell until I walked the Texas heat.
There was another group volunteering that morning, so we met in the kitchen for a quick orientation with Eli, the jefe. We mostly had questions about the paperwork and processing - what had these families been through before arriving at the CRC? Eli calmly shook his head, explaining the parts he did know and did understand, and the rest falling into “it's just the luck of the draw.” #LOTD When families walk across the border into the Border Patrol office, legally seeking asylum, which ones are fitted with ankle bracelets? #LOTD? Which ones are separated and sent to detention centers then back home? #LOTD? Which ones sent to jail (mostly those with priors?)? Eli was born and raised in the US, fluent in Spanish and English. He advises the families to not try and represent themselves and instead, to get and trust a lawyer. The system is hard to understand. He warns them not to assume they will get through easily. He has a daily, amicable communication with ICE. Even in this heat (ha ha puh-lease we all need to laugh.) Some families show up with newspaper articles describing the crime and danger in their home communities. Some arrive with papers and proof (as in photographs) of killings and fear - anything that will help them find safety for a time. Still, LOTD. They try 40 families at a time at immigration hearings. Eli explains that within the CRC are closets for clothing donations, tables for feeding, showers separated in an outdoor 18-wheeler container that used to be attached to a truck cab. He says it’s time to get to work, Señora.
(these are the showers)
Con cariño, mi profesora.
I don't know how to do this.
Mollie
***A list of items to send to the Catholic Respite Center coming soon. They need a bigger facility and are currently accepting donations towards the building so they can serve more people in need:
http://sacredheartchurch-mcallen.org/immigrant-assistance/donate-now/
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