I Can Hear Mexico Calling
Following the call as a YAGM through the ELCA
It’s been a while since my last post. I’ve been busy with adapting to life in Mexico and wrestling emotionally, politically, and spiritually with how to respond to asylum seekers here and in the U.S. And I’ve realized that while I’ve talked about working with Casa Refugiados, I haven’t explained much of what I’ve been doing. Casa Refugiados is a non-profit committed to accompanying and supporting asylum seekers who want to establish themselves here in Mexico. They provide legal aid, support in finding housing, food, and employment, and help asylum seekers to integrate themselves into life in Mexico City life whether it be through education, work, or community events. I have the honor of working in the integration department where I help give workshops on employment and how to navigate life in Mexico City (ironic, coming from a recent immigrant myself, I know). Bureaucracy is also a big part of the job as I help to process tax documents that people need in order to work in the formal sector. Beyond that, I help in whatever is asked of me each day to support my team and the people that come into the office. Yesterday was a day that I was asked to break routine. My supervisor asked me and the other volunteer to call all the people that we have attended since September to invite them to the Posada (an advent celebration that follows the story of Mary and Joseph looking for a space to stay in the Christmas story). I spent almost all day making calls, probably 80-100 if I were to estimate. At first, I was overwhelmed and displeased with my tedious task. But then the first person answered the phone, a middle-aged woman who sounded cold as most people do when they don’t recognize the number. Her voice softened as I said that I was from Casa Refugiados, asking me how I was and making small talk. Then her whole demeanor melted into smiles that I could hear through the phone when she realized that I was calling her to invite her to a celebration. The next several people who answered had the same reaction. The tedious task became joyful as I realized how lovely it was to spend the day calling people one by one to invite them to a party, to tell them that each of them are wanted as part of the Casa Refugiados community and welcome here in Mexico. I began to feel like the servants in the parable of the great banquet (Luke 14:15-24) that were sent out into the streets to invite everyone they could find to come and join in the celebration! Never before have I connected much with that parable, but this experience really resonated. I was reminded of how Emmanuel—how God is with us in hospitality, reminding us that we are each welcomed and wanted in the Kingdom of God as it exists right here and now. In all honesty, I have always struggled with hospitality. I have struggled with the vulnerability of welcoming people into my space. And I have struggled with the pressures of hosting. But making those dozens of phone calls made me realize the healing and reconciliation that is possible through hospitality. It is powerful to tell people that no matter what has happened in the past, they are wanted and welcome now. And it makes me wonder what would happen if we embraced practices of hospitality on a larger—even national or global scale. How might things be different? "In case of persecution, every person has the right to seek asylum and and enjoy the rights of asylum in any country."
1 Comment
Rafael Rodriguez
1/2/2019 01:37:56 pm
Kathryn, if anyone is able to relate the state of human suffering, generosity, humility and spirituality it is you. Reading your posts I feel as if we are in my office discussing the issues of the day. I marvel at how you express what is happening to you, what you are experiencing in personal terms yet turn around and surpass those sentiments with the condition of others in your world. Please remember our conversations about your preservation. Stay healthy, physically, mentally and spiritually. Your capacity for empathy is beyond your years. I am confident you will come out of this experience with a well earned appreciation for your blessings, but greater yet you will also possess an understanding of what those with less consider to be their blessings. It is hard to put down what I sense from your writing, but it is easy to see how you are evolving. You are a remarkable young woman whom I am proud to say I met and hold a deep respect not just for what you are doing but also for why you do the things you do. Know that I am here for you, if there is anything I can do to bring you comfort, let me know. I hope you had a wonderful Christmas Season. By the way the reaction you got from the phone calls make me jealous. You are blessed to bring happiness to people who experience so much suffering.
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AuthorMy name is Kathryn Ophardt. I am spending this year in Mexico City as a Young Adult for Global Mission with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. During this year of service, I'll be working with the non-profit, Casa Refugiados. Archives
October 2018
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