Dignity and Hope at the "Border" Next Door

Over the years, many Five Oakers have worked with immigrant families, helping them settle into the Twin Cities. For several years, a group of Five Oakers furnished the homes of well over 100 Karen refugee families resettling in the Twin Cities by collecting donated furniture, storing it, and delivering the furniture and other necessities. They also ministered to those families, and several of them stayed in contact with each other for about 20 years. Other Five Oakers have tutored immigrants or partnered with Arrive Ministries to help families settle and thrive, one family at a time.

Close friends of mine (and Lois) from out of state were recently featured in the Border Perspectives ministry blog. I want to share a part of that post with you for your encouragement.

“The Kingdom of Heaven Has Come Near”

At the 2024 Border Summit, our team met a couple from the Midwest who wish to remain anonymous to protect the relationships they’re cultivating. Since their time with us in the Rio Grande Valley, they’ve kept in touch by sharing stories of God’s timing and how He is transforming their lives.

“In April of 2024, my wife and I were hearing unkind things being said about immigrants from some of our Christian friends. I became angry. My anger turned into resolve, and my resolve turned into action. We knew that we needed to learn for ourselves, and decided to head to the border. Both of us are over 70 years old, and this experience we had at the US & Mexico border changed our lives. 

“We had the opportunity to share about our trip with our Sunday School class. As we shared, a member of the class told us that the elementary school where she works is almost 90% Latino, and she invited us to come and start “getting to know our neighbors” at her school. We jumped at the opportunity!

“When we got home, I had big plans to return to the border and change the world. The Lord had other plans. Turns out the “border” was only 20 minutes away from us. 

“Although we are partnering with the school in several ways, our main contact is through the assistant principal and the PTO moms. There are around 20 moms, most of whom don’t speak English. The PTO moms volunteer every day at the school and help the teachers in whatever way is needed. 

“One day, a couple from our church donated $1,000 to the school. The assistant principal shared with me that he would like to treat the women to go out to eat, celebrating the holidays and all they do for the school. God knew what the $1,000 was for before we did. So, we found a restaurant. All of the moms showed up, many with their children, along with the assistant principal, the couple from our church, and my wife and I. 

“At the celebration, we ate a wonderful meal and handed out Christmas cards with a prayer of blessing. Our waitress was from Mexico. She was observant throughout the meal. I had planned the event with her and told her about the PTO moms and all they do for the school. At the end of the meal, she spoke with the women. As we were leaving, she mentioned to us that the immigrant community is not used to being treated with dignity in the United States, and that it was a blessing to her to see how the school was treating this group of women, sharing that it gave her hope!

“…My wife and I have been married for 46 years and for most of that time, we have been intentionally involved in fruitful ministry to others. Something about what we are doing now feels different. I think before I was being discipled by the media instead of Jesus, at least to some degree. 

“Could it be that ministry to the oppressed is at the heart of the Gospel? Could it be that, as we care for the oppressed, we are actually caring for Jesus?”

To read the rest of the story, go here: https://www.borderperspective.org/blog/the-kingdom-of-heaven-has-come-near.

Photo by Galt Museum & Archives on Unsplash