We just spent time with a family that has been living in San Diego for 17 years, way longer than we have been here. They pay taxes, go to church, and never ask for burdensome help from anyone. They work really hard at several jobs, their kids excel at school...they are good, good people that we would all love to have as our neighbor BUT they are undocumented. They live incomplete limited lives just under the radar. Always looking over their shoulder. Never landing a great job and they won’t be able send their kids to college. All they want is a better life for their kids. It breaks our hearts. They wept in our living room as they realized they hit the low glass ceiling in the Land of Opportunities and Justice for all....well, not all, but some.
I know. They ARE illegal. The parents knew that when they crossed the border many years ago. But their oldest daughter didn’t have a clue what her future would be like when she was crossed as an infant. And now culturally but not legally, she is American. I really feel for her. She’s bright, energetic, ambitions and a girl of integrity. She is a good American…but she’s not ”completely” American.
Living in Mexico for as long I a did I have to admit that If I were in 75% of Mexican’s men’s shoe’s, just wanting to give my kids a break that can’t be found in my own county and looking just through the fence to the north…I might cross that fence too…for my kids…for a better life. What a dilemma borders can cause. I don’t have the answer but I hurt for my friends. How many more are there in this same boat? Is our Gospel big enough for what they face?
A day later we sat in the same living room and listened to Taru and Dissa describe in broken English their journey from Sri Lanka. They ARE documented but it took everything they had. He owned a factory and did OK. They sold everything for an opportunity to educate their kids in the States. Now he cleans toilets at the Hyatt in down town San Diego. "All we want is to give our kids a better life" they say. Five of them live in a 1 bedroom apartment. They smile joyfully as they tell of their hardship...I feel guilt as I think of my complaining over not being able to find an appropriate 3 bedroom house in Golden Hill. We make sure their son gets a ride to the same school our kid goes too.
These are a few of the people we bump into...rub lives with. They are all part of our lives.
Is my Gospel big enough for what they face?
YES! My Gospel, the Good News of Jesus and all that implies, is plenty big enough to give hope to the broken hearted, the alien, the lost, wounded and so much more.
That is why we continue do what we do.
Shaun and Maria Sheahan
NieuCommunities San Diego
PS. Remember Jeremy and his 3 month internship in South Africa
and Kaory and her 3 month bible school/outreach in Austria.
