The new Underground Railroad or Trail of Tears? The journey the people I spent last evening with. They get it on Google. Beyond overwhelming.

The Dream of new life and hope in America draws them all. They imagine living the lives we’re living and leave everything on a one way journey out of desperation.

There’s a bigger image, vision and calling on your life then you’ve yet to imagine, much less experience. You don’t have to study The Underground Railroad or Trail of Tears – you can intervene in love – it’s as simple as showing human kindness to a people who have sacrificed everything, without hope of return, for the lives we lead today.

After working with Pastor Aldo, Adrian and Siempre’s kids to have another Wednesday evening meal of hot dogs and chips ready for these homeless sojourners – I asked Aldo if he’d like to skip next week?

We’ve tried to make it fun for the children who choose to participate. I bring everything with me. The last two weeks I’ve brought 50 extra hot dogs and more than enough chips so the kids can enjoy the fruits of their labor. Even still – it’s one more event added to the already busy life of Siempre Para Los Niños – now home to more than 50 children and staff.

Aldo said, “No. This is important. We like doing it. Next week the church at Siempre will pay for everything.” I asked if they had money to cover an expense like that? He emphatically said “Yes!” And soon we were discussing the cost and details of a hot dog dinner. Something they don’t teach in seminary.

The last two weeks Pastor Aldo has not only brought his entire family with him to help as we carry in a meal, he’s brought an additional member of the congregation. When we left Wednesday evening, for the second week in a row, they said they were staying behind… To help… To love… To serve…

Never imagined anything like this when Central Community built the little church Siempre has grown up around back in 2001.

Jesus told a story about a man on a journey, robbed, beaten, left in a ditch to die. How leaders of the church, busy about “the things of God” left him there, avoided him. It’s a popular story even still – because the one least expected to help – the Samaritan, despised by so many in their society, did everything he could to get the broken man on his feet again.

You possibly learned it in Sunday School – The Story of the Good Samaritan.

People are still on the long journey to freedom. Too many have been forced out of their homelands by poverty, hate and intolerance and trudge slowly forward – knowing there’s no way back. Many are broken, in the ditch, and without help will surely be lost.

You can make a profound difference. Your support of our work sends hope to the homeless, rescues children who are lost, prepares to bring Thanksgiving to the multitudes and is an open door in Southern California all week long. In a world that is increasingly hard for far too many, we can be hope. In a time that’s grown dark and so many are searching for a new home, we can be Light.

We’re not asked to be pillars of society – just willing to walk the road of the good Samaritan – and take time for those who’ve been beaten down, are broken and waiting in the ditch.

Can you go that low in love? I hope to go again next Wednesday. You can come and do more than witness this incredible diaspora – you can make a difference. You’re needed, now, more than ever.

The church at Siempre is picking up the tab. You can join us in love. Don’t turn your head and walk away. You’re Invited!

https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2016/sep/06/mexico-african-asian-migration-us-exit-permit