I have lived in South Texas most of my life. My community is on a corridor for trafficking. There are two routes from Mexico that intersect in my hometown. One is Highway 59 that starts in Laredo, goes through my community on the way to Houston, and then on to Canada. The second is Highway 77, that [...]Read More
I Will Remember: Irene Finnigan’s Story
I missed childhood. I was old at five, wizened at seven and a sad old creature at eight. Yet, already, I was intent on remembering every detail, every sound. I eavesdropped because nothing was ever explained to me. I learned to hang around adults and listen. I learned never to ask questions [...]Read More
A Chinese-American Immigrant’s Story
In 2012, I sat down with my grandmother for a rare conversation. Growing up biracial, I was always eager to learn about the Chinese side of my family, and I usually turned to my mother for the stories of her parents’ immigration from China to the United States. On this particular occasion, my [...]Read More
One Woman’s Story Sparks Empowerment Program for Refugees
Ruth Lomo arrived in the United States in 2001 as a Sudanese refugee responsible for 10 children, fleeing civil war in Sudan. Settling in Memphis, Ruth’s children attended a small Christian school, and unlike other isolated refugees, developed necessary social and language skills. Ruth was burdened [...]Read More
We are on the Camino of Life
As many of you know, I recently returned from a 6-month sabbatical from my work with CCDA. In my absence, our entire staff––but particularly Dave Clark––had to carry a huge load, for which I will be eternally grateful. While my entire sabbatical was filled with fabulous experiences and much needed [...]Read More
Does God Stand with Immigrants
At church we sang Chris Tomlin’s “Our God.” I love this song, and I can’t help but get some goosebumps as we celebrate the bigness of our powerful God.And if our God is for us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?It was three days [...]Read More
A Kingdom Response to President Obama’s Speech on Immigration
I am created in the image of God. I am a follower of Jesus. I am an American citizen. I am the daughter of an immigrant. These are markers of my identity and my perspective has been shaped by these strong realities. For years, I have been learning about immigration as an issue and have also been [...]Read More
The Passion of Christ and the Plight of Our Undocumented Neighbors
As Christians around the world gathered for Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday celebrations this past weekend, it caused me to reflect a great deal about the connection between the suffering and passion of Christ and the plight of the undocumented in our nation. This past year, an amazing surge of [...]Read More