I got to be the informal interpreter for two 3-yr-olds who do not speak each other's language but who were sweetly inseparable at CUMC's indoor play area this morning.
"He's asking if you want to play soccer." She nods, enthusiastically.
"She's offering you one of her crackers. He says 'No, thank you.'"
The two also worked together to roll up a smallish rug and return it to the storage area together and it was hard to not laugh out loud as they tried to walk the rug horizontally, one at each end, through the doorway without realizing that one of them would need to enter the door first.
The moms of these two sweeties each shared how excited they had been that morning to come play. One turned down an offer to go to the Children's Museum (wow! that's one of his favorite places) and the other looked outside at the pouring rain, and back at her mom's doubtful face, then said she was packing her little purple backpack because they
had to go to (what she calls) "la escuelita de Mira" (Mira's little school).
On top of all that goodness, some of the moms asked about the
Secure Communities program (which would facilitate cooperation between local law enforcement and immigration) and then shared with me what it's like for them and for their family members to live her without documents. I feel incredibly honored that they would be so honest with me, and also feel that it was a blessing for us to share deeply and walk together on the journey, attempting to take on a little bit of the burdens of others. And one of those moms wants to help me organize a community gathering where we can learn more about Secure Communities and strategize about how we can respond together. A bitter-sweetness, but a sweetness none-the-less.
Several faith communities and non-profit organizations in Washington County form a coalition called PACTO, which is committed to standing in solidarity with those living in local migrant camps and working on farms and in vineyards. The groups take basic supplies like food staples, bedding, and cookware at the beginning of the summer, when workers are beginning to arrive for the season, but before consistent work has begun. Throughout the summer, the groups make regular visits to take food and supplies and visit with the camp residents, and sometimes lead fun activities or faith-based conversations with those interested.
I had the opportunity to go with the Hillsboro UMC Outreach Team a few weeks ago to the camp they have been sponsoring for several years. They've formed relationships with the family that lives there year-round and love catching up with them on their visits.
It was a gift to see first-hand how friendships can develop across income-level and language differences that so often divide us, and to witness how God can work when we walk together to provide for the needs of one another. Three different United Methodist congregations in Washington County are participating in this vibrant ministry. Let me know if you'd like to know more about how you can support or join in.
