More Than Just Shoes: A Story of Compassion and the Call to Action at Our Doorstep
Yesterday, I attended a regional denominational meeting (classis) where Pastor Joe Strong of Northwest Hispanic Ministries shared a powerful story that deeply resonated with me. It was a story of struggle, resilience, and the desperate need for compassion in a world often consumed by political rhetoric.
Pastor Strong spoke of a young Afro-Colombian woman living with a man in Venezuela. After struggling with infertility, they finally had twins together. Soon after the babies were born, she found that he had another separate family with children. When she confronted him, the relationship turned abusive, forcing her to flee with her infants. At one point he broke inter her apartment and tried to kill her. She barely survived when her neighbors rushed to her rescue.
She fled to stay with family in Colombia, but the reach of her abuser's gang followed her. One day, while working in the garden, she saw a man pedal past on a bicycle. He circled back two times, then calmly pulled out a handgun and open fire. She narrowly escaped this second attempt on her life but knew that her ex’s gang connections had a long reach. Desperate, she embarked on a harrowing journey, walking from Colombia to the US border with her babies in tow. She sought asylum, a beacon of hope in a world that seemed to have turned its back on her.
Her journey didn't end there. Denied entry at the Canadian border, she found herself stranded in a foreign country with two infants, a pregnant friend, and nothing but the clothes on their backs. Thankfully, Pastor Strong's ministry has a partnership with border security. When any Spanish-speaking family finds themselves abandoned at the border, they call Joe or someone from his church. Joe and his group were able to provide her with shelter and support, a lifeline in a sea of uncertainty.
Pastor Strong shared that this was not an isolated incident. He recounted over 70 similar stories in recent years, highlighting the immense strain on his ministry's resources. Yet, amidst these challenges, his church thrives, a testament to the power of faith and community in the face of adversity.
Pastor Strong's words echoed in my mind, bringing to the forefront a similar situation discussed just the day before at our own church council meeting. Shoultes Elementary School, located a few blocks from our church, has students arriving with holes in their shoes. As the weather turns colder and the rain begins to fall, these children face the added burden of discomfort and the potential health risks associated with cold, wet feet. They deserve to learn and play without the added worry of inadequate footwear.
This brings me to a call to action for our community. Over the next few weeks, we will be collecting new or gently used shoes for the students at Shoultes Elementary. If you have any shoes to spare or can help us find some, please bring them to the church, and we will ensure they reach the children who need them most.
This seemingly simple act of providing shoes is more than just meeting a basic need. It's about extending compassion and recognizing the shared humanity that binds us together. It's about acknowledging that every child deserves warmth, comfort, and the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their circumstances.
As we embark on this shoe drive, I can't help but reflect on the abundance in my own life. I have more than one pair of shoes to keep my feet warm and dry. It's a privilege that many take for granted, yet it's one that highlights the stark inequalities that exist in our world.
The story of the young Afro-Colombian woman and the plight of the children at Shoultes Elementary are reminders that need knows no borders. These are not just distant issues; they are happening right here in our community.
We live in a time where border and immigration issues dominate the political landscape. While I don't claim to have all the answers to these complex challenges, I believe that our response as Christians should be rooted in love and compassion. Regardless of our political affiliations or opinions on immigration policies, we are called to love our neighbors, to extend a helping hand to those in need, and to be a beacon of hope in a world often shrouded in darkness.
Let us not allow political debates to diminish our capacity for empathy and action. Let us remember the words of Jesus in Matthew 25: "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me."
When we reach out to those in need, regardless of their background or how they arrived at our doorstep, we are serving Christ himself. Let us be a church that embodies compassion, that acts justly, and that loves mercy. Let us be a community that welcomes the stranger, that provides for the needy, and that demonstrates the transformative power of God's love.
This shoe drive is just one small step, but it's a step in the right direction. It's an opportunity for us to make a tangible difference in the lives of children in our community. It's a chance for us to put our faith into action and to be the hands and feet of Christ in a world that desperately needs His love.
Let us continue to be people of prayer and compassion. Let us be a beacon of hope for those who are struggling, and let us always remember that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can make a world of difference.
Pastor Tim
