“I wish at times that all y’all could see and witness some of the beloved kindom happenings at the MHCC building during the week with our asylum guests. I am blessed and honored to hold so many moments each week. I was encouraged this week to try and share some of them with you…so here are a few scenes from just the last couple days…”
– Rev. Laurie Anderson at Dallas, TX – Midway Hills Christian Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
I wish at times that all y’all could see and witness some of the beloved kindom happenings at the MHCC building during the week with our asylum guests. I am blessed and honored to hold so many moments each week. I was encouraged this week to try and share some of them with you…so here are a few scenes from just the last couple days.
On Monday (late afternoon), Laura and I had a meeting with our current guests (Jesus, Yefferson, Anehly, and Lia) to check in on how things are going- a wellness check of sorts. In that time, Jose (past guest of the church- almost a year of living on his own) also arrived at the church. In addition, you should know that both Jose and Javier often drop by midweek in the evening to visit with our asylum guests. Also during this time, we received a new guest (Emmanuel). The chatter in the kitchen was a pure sound of love. Remember our guests arrive from a long overnight bus journey as they are released from Immigration Customs Enforcement detention to Oak Lawn UMC, where they hope to reunite with family/sponsors. The guests we host for extended stay are one’s whose sponsor is no longer able to host them or they need an extra few days to stay in Dallas before their flight.
Scene One: When he arrived, Jesus and I showed Emmanuel his room, bed and such. I went to get more supplies for our new guest and by the time I arrived back to the room, Jesus was showing Emmanuel around and helping him get situated. Literally in moments, two strangers had a brotherly bond.
Scene Two: Laura and I went to a room to privately update each other on the status of our guests. When we got back in the kitchen, Jose was in conversation with everyone and making sure Emmanuel had something to eat, because he was hungry from the long journey.
Scene Three: The group sitting around the table together sharing concerns and joys. This journey of asylum is heartbreaking, even after they have arrived in Dallas and MHCC. The hope in the air of a better life is heavy.
Scene Four: The next morning, David and I were headed to the community hall to check on something- as we walked into the kitchen there was lively conversation between Jesus and Emmanuel, and a family member on WhatsApp. Jesus and Emmanuel were moving in sync, from the stove to the countertop piled with ingredients, preparing a big breakfast for the group. We shared greetings and I could not help but think this was holy space.
Scene Five: David and I in the hallway savoring what we just saw, as I updated him on the status of the group. Mostly we commented on how amazing it is to witness the group, who were once total strangers, and now living as a “family” unit. I told David the evening before about how everyone just intuitively helped each other. David gave me a gift of a question that will linger with me for some time. He said, “When we started out…did you ever imagine “This?”
The “This” for me is witnessing these stories, seeing people being transformed by the hospitality of each other…and y’all. The ministry of asylum hospitality is facilitated by about 9 different MHCC folks each week; and it is only possible with the love and support everyone in the congregation gives each guest and the ministry as a whole. We can never underestimate the gift of hospitality we offer the asylum guests…almost every week I still hear from one of the guys in WhatsApp with an update on their life or just an “Hola.”
FAITH GROUNDING:
What of Rev. Laurie Anderson’s faith inspires the work of welcome: Hebrew 13:2 and Leviticus 19: 33-34 and Matthew 25: 31-40