Illegal immigrants

I have struggled all week with knowing how to blog about this. Underlying all else we have done this week has been a situation involving a dear family at our church who are originally from an eastern european country that was formerly communist.

The father was forcibly removed from their apartment last Sunday night, apparently in violation of an INS ruling some time ago that basically said they had to return to their home country. They were unaware they were not in compliance with all the necessary forms, paperwork and regulations. They have 4 small children that have all been born here, they have learned conversational english very well, they love the Lord with all their heart and are in church virtually every time the doors are open. There is much more that I could say about this family and their situation. But I am tired and sad and at a loss for words (better enjoy that last one while you can, that rarely happens). It is highly probable that they will be deported in the very near future. They will be returning to a hostile environment. Meanwhile the husband sits in jail and the wife, who is trying to prepare for a major unplanned move, is not allowed to see him.

I have been struck with two major insights during this week. The first one is how little I have cared about immigration policy up until now. It's just not an issue that has affected me before. There are other issues that are more "hot button" for me and that I care deeply about. Immigration policy was not one of them. You better believe I will pay more attention to it now. Regardless of how you feel about this issue overall, to quote my friend votemom, "behind every 'illegal alien' is a story." This story has completely captivated and distracted my family this week. Their oldest daughter is in sunday school class with our son C. C sobbed yesterday, great wracking sobs, at the thought that he wouldn't see her anymore. We have prayed together as a family more this week than we ever have before.

The second thing that has struck me is how this family, after arriving in our country, has been taken advantage of at every turn. And yet they have also been loved on and ministered to by God's people at every turn. They have had crooked attorneys (which appears to be the main reason for their current situation), a landlord that would not move them out of a mold infested apartment (it got so bad that the pregnant wife vomited blood every day for weeks and the the health department finally "forced" him to move them to another unit), employers that took advantage of them.

They have also had bags of food and meals show up at their door, wrapped Christmas gifts given to them, a reading tutor work with the mom, free education for their children, play dates with other moms and children, the mom's first ever baby shower (she had never even heard of that concept!), the gift of true, deep friendship. They have, in turn, been extremely generous with what little they had. Do you remember back in October when I blogged about a young mom in our church who died unexpectedly? We collected meals for the widowed father and his young son, and this "illegal" family contributed by far the most.....two huge coolers full of food!

I am both angered by the injustice shown to them, and humbled and grateful for the love shown to them. It's like their situation is a little microcosm of the realities of living in this fallen world, yet with the reminder that God is still in control. When I encounter new friends that are from other countries, I want to be a person who shows love and not injustice. I want to be like this family, who give generously because they've been given so much.

If you feel led, please pray for this family. We know that this did not surprise God and that He is able to save, protect, nurture, and use them wherever they are. We want them to stay here, but if His plan involves them returning to their home country, they will go with our love and blessing and prayers.