La Posada Welcomes 10,000 th Client!

La Posada Providencia's E-Newsletter Tuesday, August 14, 2018 La Posada Providencia Welcomes 10,000th Client! La Posada Providencia hit a new milestone when “Elias” of Honduras arrived. It’s been 28 years, eight months and six days in the making, but on Aug.7 a young man from Guatemala was Client 10,000 at La Posada Providencia! Twenty-eight-year-old “Elias” arrived the evening of Aug. 7. The next day he boarded a flight to Florida to rejoin his wife and son. Before leaving, however, Elias shared his story. Elias left his country because his family fell victim to gang persecution. Gang members kept extorting money from his wife, a small business owner. They kept demanding more money, forcing her to close her shop. In retaliation, the gang kidnapped his teenage daughter and asked for a ransom. Fortunately, his daughter managed to escape, and the family immediately fled. It took Elias’ family 20 days to reach the United States. When the four crossed and surrendered themselves to authorities at the Texas-Mexico border, they were all taken to different detention centers. Elias was in three different facilities in Texas over a period of 70 days. Elias will reunite with his wife and son, but his daughter remains in a detention center. Elias’ daughter was not released to him because he is not her biological father. His wife and her family are petitioning for the girl’s release and will not stop until the family is whole again.   Though there are still many challenges ahead, Elias is hopeful that he will receive asylum and then be permitted to work legally in the United States. He plans to support his wife and children, and help his brother and sister-in-law who still live in Guatemala. He also intends to become a U.S. citizen one day. Though his stay was brief, Elias will always remember the kindness he received from the staff at La Posada. “God is going to reward everything they do to help people like me,” Elias said. “I’m very grateful to them and all the other organizations that help us.” Donate to La Posada Help the stranger and give to La Posada online today using a secure server. Make a monetary donation using your credit or debit card DONATE NOW Connect with La Posada F O L L O W on F A C E B O O K F O L L O W on T W I T T E R VISIT our WEBSITE Present Client Census: 14 Clients representing 9 different countries 5 Women: 1-Ukraine, 1-El Salvador, 1-Zimbabwe, 1-Guatemala, 1-USA 4 Children: 1-El Salvador, 3-Guatemala 5 Men: 1-Mexico, 1-Cuba, 1-Russia, 1-Nigeria, 1-USA

La Posada Providencia, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is a ministry for people in crisis from around the world, who are seeking legal refuge in this country. The shelter staff provides a safe and welcoming home; mentors to promote self-sufficiency and cultural integration; and imparts values which witness God's Providence in our world.

Turning Thoughts to Texas

In Michigan 

While I am in Michigan, some of my thoughts are turned toward a possible return to La Posada Providencia.

Please let me know if you want more information about how you can join me in the adventure. 

We Are Blessed to be a Blessing

Your prayers are needed.  Your donations are needed and your actions to change the systems are needed.  There are justice needs in every state and city!  May God's Holy Spirit continue to show us what we MUST do.  We are called, sent and empowered.  Praise be to God!

Below is this weeks Tuesday in Texas Newsletter.  You will read how God is blessing the residents and about how my United Methodist Brothers and Sisters have been inspire to action.  May their actions be an inspiration with ideas of how you might help.

La Posada Providencia's E-Newsletter Tuesday, August 7, 2018 Oh, Happy Day! La Posada Providencia Client To Receive Work Permit One of the clients at La Posada Providencia received her employment authorization letter Aug. 6. It is always a happy day when a client receives this letter! Depending on the specifics of the client’s case, it can often take six to eight months for a client to receive his or her work permit. Fortunately for Shalom, her request was processed very quickly.  Shalom will soon receive her work permit, which will allow her to find a job and earn income. The authorization for employment is just one of several milestones to help put clients on the path to citizenship and self-sufficiency! Methodist Madness! Methodist Church Groups HelpLa Posada Providencia Pictured (left to right): DeeAnn Smith, Pastor Lindsey Smith, Andi Atkinson, Sister Zita Telkamp, CDP, Sister Alice Marie Lyon, CDP, and Jennifer Farrell. Pictured (left to right): Ann Finch, Rosemary Payne and Gail Reid. On Aug. 6, two United Methodist Church groups arrived at La Posada Providencia with a clear mission: to give and serve.   That morning, First United Methodist Church of East Bernard donated $568 to La Posada. Four members of the Houston-area church traveled approximately five hours to San Benito, Texas, to present the check … then they went straight to work! Rev. Lindsey Smith, DeeAnn Smith, Jennifer Farrell and Shawn Ferrell all began doing laundry, yard work and many other pressing tasks to help La Posada. The next morning the men and women leveled and extended a paved sidewalk behind the women’s dorm. The group will stay until Aug. 8 to serve La Posada in any way possible. The afternoon of Aug. 6, three women from Westlake United Methodist Church in Austin, Texas, donated more than $400 worth of supplies to La Posada. Ann Finch, Gail Reid and Rosemary Payne traveled approximately six hours. Upon arriving, the women asked La Posada for a “wish list” of items … then they drove straight to the Walmart in San Benito! Among the many items the women purchased were men’s and women’s socks and underwear. They also purchased some much-needed office supplies and plastic storage bins. La Posada was doubly blessed on Aug. 6. Thank you, FUMC-East Bernard and Westlake FUMC! A Visit To La Posada By Abuelas Responden/Grannies Respond Abuelas Responden/Grannies Respond is a social action group fighting to preserve human dignity in the United States. Whether they started from Seattle or Atlanta, the women all joined a convoy that led them to the Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas, and then to La Posada in San Benito. These special guests were eager to learn about the history, mission and work of La Posada, and they asked many questions. They were also able to speak to a representative from Angry Tías and Abuelas, a local social action group that arose from the family separation tragedy. Before heading to the next stop, the Texas-Mexico crossing bridge in Brownsville, the group enjoyed a spaghetti lunch with the clients underneath a large shade tree. Thank you Abuelas Responden/Grannies Respond for stopping by La Posada and fighting for social justice! Donate to La Posada Help the stranger and give to La Posada online today using a secure server. Make a monetary donation using your credit or debit card DONATE NOW Connect with La Posada F O L L O W on F A C E B O O K F O L L O W on T W I T T E R VISIT our WEBSITE Present Client Census: 11 Clients representing 9 different countries 4 Women: 1-Ukraine, 1-El Salvador, 1-Congo, 1-Zimbabwe, 2 Children: 1-El Salvador, 1-Congo, 5 Men: 1-Mexico, 1-Eritrea, 1-Cuba, 1-Russia, 1-Nigeria

La Posada Providencia, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is a ministry for people in crisis from around the world, who are seeking legal refuge in this country. The shelter staff provides a safe and welcoming home; mentors to promote self-sufficiency and cultural integration; and imparts values which witness God's Providence in our world.

Tuesday in Texas La Posada Providencia

This is where I spent the last two winters.  I hope to serve there again.  Does anyone want to be on this journey with me?  Become a Winter Texan!

La Posada Providencia's E-Newsletter Tuesday, July 24, 2018 Thank You Catholic Extension! Fr. Jack Wall, president of Catholic Extension, presents a $25,000 check to Sister Margaret Mertens, CDP, Site Coordinator, and Andi Atkinson, Executive Director, during Catholic Extension's visit to La Posada July 12. Fr. Gary Graf (left) and Fr. Joseph Tito listen to client Jessica as she relays her story. On Thursday, July 12, 2018, La Posada welcomed several visitors from the Chicago, Il. area who came to learn more about immigrant families who flee from danger in their homelands to the United States. They were especially interested in learning more about the recent tragedy that some families are suffering as a result of being separated from their children at the southern U.S. border with Mexico. Visiting priests included: Rev. Gary Graf (St. Procopius/Providence of God Parish); Rev. Fred Pesek (Queen of the Rosary Parish); Rev. Tom Hurley (Old St. Patrick’s Church); Rev. Terry Keehan (Holy Family Parish); Rev. Bob Heinz (St. Norbert/Our Lady of the Brook) and Rev. Joseph Tito (St. Nicholas Parish (Evanston). Leading the visiting priests was Father Jack Wall, President of Catholic Extension and members of the Catholic Extension staff Joe Bolland, Tim Muldoon and Tom Gordon. The Catholic Extension Society has formed a new fund, the Family Reunification Fund as a response to the recent family separations. The Catholic Extension website explains “The fund will support ministries that provide direct outreach and advocacy for immigrant families separated as a consequence of our broken immigration system. The fund will mainly benefit existing ministries on the southern U.S. border with Mexico, specifically those that are actively sheltering, defending, and caring for immigrants and their families.” La Posada is the first beneficiary of the fund and was presented a check for $25,000. This unexpected gift could not have been more timely as we continue to welcome increased numbers of families with children, especially women and children. We are sincerely grateful for this support, THANK YOU! Accompanying the Chicago entourage were media representatives from WGN and ABC news. See related stories below: https://wgntv.com/2018/07/12/crossing-the-border-and-staying-together-shelter-helps-those-awaiting-court/ http://abc7chicago.com/religion/chicago-priests-visit-migrants-living-at-long-term-shelter-in-texas/3754215/ Families Reunited Reunited mother and son, William (left) and Dunia La Posada has had the privilege of assisting 8 families who successfully reunited with their children after being separated at the border. Recently, one such family from Honduras stayed at La Posada. Mom and son will stay with us until they can travel to their resettlement location in Philadelphia. Generous individuals and funders have donated airline miles and paid for other travel expenses making it easier for asylum seekers to reach their final destinations. To read more about our recent family, select the link below: https://m.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/asylum-seeker-reunited-with--year-old-son-in-brownsville/article_ead8bef5-f1ea-544d-b6c5-5496e74f5c1b.html?mode=jqm Donate to La Posada Help the stranger and give to La Posada online today using a secure server. Make a monetary donation using your credit or debit card DONATE NOW Connect with La Posada F O L L O W on F A C E B O O K F O L L O W on T W I T T E R VISIT our WEBSITE Present Client Census: 26 Clients representing 11 different countries 9 Women: 1-Russia, 1-Ukraine, 1-El Salvador, 1-Congo, 1-Zimbabwe, 2-Honduras, 1-Guatemala, 1-Eritrea 7 Children:  1-Russia, 1-El Salvador, 2-Honduras,1-Congo, 1-Guatemala, 1-Eritrea 10 Men: 1-Mexico, 2-Eritrea, 2-Cuba, 1-Cameroon, 2-El Salvador, 1-Guatemala, 1-Ukraine

La Posada Providencia, founded and sponsored by the Sisters of Divine Providence, is a ministry for people in crisis from around the world, who are seeking legal refuge in this country. The shelter staff provides a safe and welcoming home; mentors to promote self-sufficiency and cultural integration; and imparts values which witness God's Providence in our world.