The joy of play

These two are such good buds, and it makes my heart happy.

When Gerardo, who goes by Geras, first came to the play area, he was so shy and seemed serious much of the time. But more recently, he has really opened up, and this past Thursday, he was all giggles and only stopped chatting long enough to eat some crackers. But then he had to tell me about how much he loves crackers. I love that he now feels so at home in this place and with the folks who are here.

Standing in solidarity with immigrants

On Sunday, the first day of May, and a beautiful day at that, thousands of folks gathered downtown Portland (and in Salem, and in communities all over the country) to march together and make a statement that we believe that all people have basic human rights. In particular, May Day is a time to point to the the contributions that workers and immigrants make to our world and to speak out against injustices.

I walked with a group for the Oregon New Sanctuary Movement, an interfaith coalition of folks standing in solidarity with immigrants and working to create welcome for all.



Among the thousands present, it was wonderful to run into friends working with other justice and advocacy organizations, a teacher at the school where I'm currently subbing, and several families who have been involved in Hispanic Ministries in Western Washington County.

Next weekend, I will travel with Oregon New Sanctuary folks to Tacoma, Washington for a Mothers Day Vigil at the regional immigration detention center there. We will be taking with us cards of support and encouragement made by members of local faith communities to people currently being detained. Here are a few pictures from the end of the last Community Table Food Pantry distribution day in Cornelius, where pantry guests and volunteers were invited to create simple cards that will be shared at our visit.

The visit will be a great time to be with other good people working in immigrant communities, but will also be an opportunity to take on some of the pain of those awaiting deportation and of the ones who love them. We cannot change their individual situations, but we can help them know that they are not alone and that we continue to work for change so that others do not experience their lives being torn apart by our broken immigration system.