Paul & Mary Ehrlich were the first people to meet Jojo and invite him into our Union community. Along with so many, they’ve continued to faithfully walk alongside him while at NWDC. Please continue to pray that he will soon be assigned a lawyer for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Here is a reflection from the Ehrlichs:
“Do not oppress an alien, you yourselves know how it feels to be aliens because you were aliens in Egypt” — Exodus 24.5
We are reminded by this text that how we care for immigrants/refugees/and the undocumented matters to God. Immigration is as much a major issue today as ever and our individual part in supporting immigrants is important as we move toward a more just society. Jesus reminded people of the commandment: love your neighbor as yourself. Who should we love? The story of the Good Samaritan gives us a biblical view of how to be a neighbor and to welcome as Christ has welcomed us.
Firsthand, we know the blessing of engaging in the work of welcoming refugees and immigrants. Thirty years ago, we sponsored a refugee family from the USSR through World Relief. Our country was more welcoming then, providing a few months of funding to help with the transition. We walked with the family and supported their ups and downs of getting settled. This gave them time to adjust in the transition. We are still in touch with the family. Their children have families and are contributing members of our society.
Our Union family now is aware of JoJo and his story of being undocumented in the US for more than 27 years. We were able to walk alongside him during the six months he was under ICE supervision but not in detention. Going to his appointments with ICE was revealing of how the current system does not work well. Though we persistently asked, we were unable to get answers as to how we could help in moving through the process. There were no answers; just another appointment. Then one day he was told to come to a supervision appointment and instead was picked up by ICE.
The outcome of Jo Jo’s hearing at the NW Detention Center last fall was disappointing. But the amazing response of the Union family with so many that came that it overwhelmed the waiting area, encouraged Jojo greatly. It was a visual demonstration of the heart of Union, living in response to God’s invitation of welcome. This work is not done. “Those who hope in the Lord shall renew their strength” (Isaiah 40.31). We need to continue to hope, work and pray for JoJo. He currently is waiting for a lawyer to present his appeal to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
In the past year, we’ve met people being released from the Detention Center (even as Jojo still waits) and been able to provide welcome, support and encouragement. Now, a group of Union folks are coming alongside another undocumented gentleman who is incarcerated at Monroe Correction Facility and helping us discover how to support him and his family.
On Sundays we’ve been learning the Bible verse Micah 6:8:
“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”
It is most applicable to immigration issues. Our prayer is that all of us and our country act justly, love and show mercy to immigrants and our neighbors of the world.