posted on August 9, 2016 by marchaumc

MARCHA 2016 – Resumen e Informes

FEATURED: Cien (100) Fotos de MARCHA 2016 – Cortesía de Comunicaciones IMU.

Durante los días de 4 al 7 de Agosto de 2016, tuvo lugar la 45ta. Asamblea de MARCHA en la Isla del Encanto, Puerto Rico. El evento, al cual asistieron sobre 200+ personas, se desarrolló alrededor del tema Abrazando Nuevos Horizontes. Tanto las presentaciones, como los mensajes en los cultos y devocionales y talleres, promovieron una reflexión en comunidad sobre la necesidad de discernir el futuro al cual Dios nos llama y nuestro deseo de buscar nuevas formas de ministerio en la formación de los discípulos Hispano-Latinos comprometidos con aquel a quien toda potestad ha sido dada en el cielo y en la tierra, nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Además de todas las actividades en la agenda, los participantes también tuvieron tiempo para visitar las hermosas playas de Isla Verde y el bosque tropical El Yunque, degustar lo mejor de la comida puertorriqueña, así como visitar el histórico Viejo San Juan, y conocer más sobre los ministerio de la IMPR en el Caño Martín Peña. Nuestra gratitud a la Dra. Doris García por aceptar ser nuestra oradora principal quien nos retó a un compromiso más profundo con nuestro ministerio [Read more…]

Filed Under: MARCHA 2016, Noticias, YNews Tagged With: slider

posted on August 9, 2016 by marchaumc

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GC 2016: General Conference Report

By Rev. Lyssette N. Pérez

As the Vice-President of MARCHA, I was honored to coordinate the legislative work of MARCHA at the 2016 General Conference with our MARCHA Team. The names of the team members are listed at the end of this report. A total of 864 delegates from our denomination met at the Portland Convention Center in Oregon, for 11 days and worked with more than 1,000 petitions to amend and update the Book of Disciple and the Book of Resolutions. There were only 18 Hispanic/Latinos delegates at the conference. Petitions were assigned to the following 12 legislative committees: [Read more…]

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posted on August 8, 2016 by marchaumc

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MARCHA 2016: Call to Action, Open Table at the Intersection

As the youth of M.A.R.C.H.A., we understand our call and responsibility to do good, to do no harm and build the Beloved Community[1]. Amidst our theological differences, we call M.A.R.C.H.A. 2016 to start conversations and to take actions against systemic oppression; and acknowledge the intersectionality in which we live and struggle daily. [Read more…]

Filed Under: MARCHA 2016, Noticias, YNews

posted on August 8, 2016 by marchaumc

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MARCHA 2016: Call to Action, Mobilizing for Voting in the 2016 US Elections

MARCHA (Methodist Associated to Represent the Cause of Hispanic Americans) acknowledges our call and responsibility to do good, do no harm and to stay in love with God. Amidst our theological/political differences, we hold to these Methodist principles and denounce, condemn and take action against anti-immigrant, anti-Mexican, anti-Hispanic/Latino/a rhetoric. In the present political climate, some candidates have based their presidential/political campaigns on fear by criminalizing and dehumanizing documented and undocumented persons. The hateful ideology proclaimed by these persons seeks to silence the voices and invalidate the humanity of those that are at the social/political/economic margins. [Read more…]

Filed Under: MARCHA 2016, Noticias, YNews Tagged With: justice, Marcha16, Voting

posted on June 29, 2016 by marchaumc

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MARCHA 2016, Verdanza Hotel, San Juan PR

BIENVENID@S

Bienvenid@s a la página de información de la Asamblea de MARCHA 2016. Aquí encontrará información actualizada sobre el evento e instrucciones sobre como registrarse.

Este año, la Asamblea se desarrollará bajo el tema Abrazando Nuevos Horizontes. Durante nuestro tiempo en San Juan Puerto Rico, estaremos reflexionando en comunidad sobre la necesidad de discernir el futuro al cual Dios nos llama y nuestro deseo de buscar nuevas formas de ministerio en la formación de los discípulos Hispano-Latinos comprometidos con aquel a quien toda potestad ha sido dada en el cielo y en la tierra, nuestro Señor Jesucristo.

^“Jesús se acercó y les dijo: «Toda autoridad me ha sido dada en el cielo y en la tierra. Por tanto, vayan y hagan discípulos en todas las naciones, y bautícenlos en el nombre del Padre, y del Hijo, y del Espíritu Santo. “ Mateo 28:18-19

INFORMACION ACTUALIZADA Y CONFIABLE SOBRE EL VIRUS DE ZIKA EN Puerto Rico.

Adjunto, les ofrecemos informacion actualizada sobre el virus de ZIKA en Puerto Rico.

PRESENTADORA INVITADA

Rev. Dr. Doris Garcia Rivera Orgullosa mujer puertorriqueña, madre de 3 increíbles personas y parte de una familia boricua común y extraordinaria a la vez. Con 23 años de experiencia misionera levantando espacios formales de educación teológica Doris sirvió a través de Ministerios Internacionales de las Iglesias Bautistas Americanas y Puerto Rico en Centro América y México, hasta el 2013. Es reverenda ordenada de las IBPR y cuenta con varios grados académicos en Teología y Biblia Hebrea (Th. D.), Interculturalidad (MAR) y en Microbiología (MSC). Disfruta la enseñanza y la lectura, y le apasionan los temas de misión, trasfondo cultural de la biblia, interculturalidad, profetas, movimientos sociales y ciencia ficción. Doris ha sido profesora de varias instituciones educativas reconocidas en LA, PR y EU. En el 2014, fue seleccionada como la primera mujer en presidir el Seminario Evangélico de Puerto Rico.

INSCRIPCIÓN

La inscripción para la Asamblea de MARCHA 2016 se realizará en-línea (en la Internet) con la posibilidad de pagar utilizando su tarjeta de crédito via PayPal, a partir del 15 de abril de 2016. Ofrecemos una escala de inscripción con un descuento para aquellas personas que se registren durante el periodo “Early Birds”.

“EARLY BIRDS” 04/15 – 04/30/2016

Clérigos/as $150 | Laícos/as $125 | Jóvenes $65 | Seminaristas $65

INSCRIPCION REGULAR – 05/01 – 07/15/2016

Clérigos/as $175 | Laícos/as $150 | Jóvenes $75 | Seminaristas $75

INSCRIPCION TARDIA – 07/16 – 7/29/2016 @ 9PM EST

Clérigos/as $200 | Laícos/as $175 | Jóvenes $80 | Seminaristas $80

INSCRIPCION DURANTE EL EVENTO- 08/2/2016-08/05/2017

Clérigos/as $225 | Laícos/as $200 | Jóvenes $100 | Seminaristas $100

PASE DE UN SOLO DIA – $50 (no incluye banquete)

Inscríbase Hoy para MARCHA 2016 |Register Today

MEMBRESÍA DE MARCHA

El pago de su membrecía es un testimonio de su compromiso con el ministerio de MARCHA, que nos ayuda a cubrir la inversión económica necesaria para el sano funcionamiento de nuestra organización. Además, su membresía le brinda derecho al voto en todos los asuntos de la vida de MARCHA, incluyendo las elecciones de nuevos oficiales.

Categorías de Membrecía: Individual $60 | Jóvenes $30 | Seminaristas $30 | Vitalicia $500

AEROPUERTO – San Juan International (SJU)

Para más información pueden visitar: http://aeropuertosju.com/en/

HOTEL – Verdanza Hotel, San Juan, Puerto Rico

La Asamblea de MARCHA 2016 tendrá lugar en su totalidad en el Verdanza Hotel, localizado en 8020 Tartak Street, Isla Verde, Puerto Rico 00979

Reservaciones de Hotel | Hotel Reservations

MARCHA ha asegurado tarifas especiales para nuestro evento de $145 (taxes y cargos de hotel incluidos), por cuarto dobe por noche. . La tarifa incluye desayuno para dos personas por habitación. Para información y reservaciones llame al 1 800-625-0312y haga referencia al grupo “MCHA0816”. Oprima el botón abajo para hacer su reservación en línea.

INFORMACION ACTUALIZADA Y CONFIABLE SOBRE EL VIRUS DE ZIKA EN Puerto Rico.

Adjunto, les ofrecemos informacion actualizada sobre el virus de ZIKA en Puerto Rico.

Reservaciones de Hotel | Hotel Reservations

TRANSPORTACIÓN

Una vez se encuentre en el aeropuerto de San Juan, la manera más práctica de llegar al hotel es utilizando los taxis autorizados por la compañía de turismo de Puerto Rico (identificados claramente con una garita). El costo aproximado del aeropuerto al hotel es $14 hasta 5 personas + un cargo de $1 por cada equipaje.

TALLER PARA LA JUVENTUD

Este año, en colaboración con la Junta Global de Iglesia y Sociedad de la Iglesia Metodista Unida y ls Junta Global de Ministerio y Educación Superior, MARCHA ofrecerá un taller intensivo a la juventud bajo el tema de Santidad Social como Disciplina Espiritual. MARCHA ofrecerá un número limitado de becas para este evento – toda la juventud está invitada. El taller tendrá lugar del 08/03 – 08/04/2016. Oprima aquí para ir a la planilla de inscripción para la beca.

BANQUETE

Una vez más este año, tendremos nuestro tradicional Banquete de Celebración al Liderato Hispano. El mismo, brinda una oportunidad para compartir en hermandad y reconocer los logros de líderes hispanos/latinos/as a través de la conexión metodista unida. Además, celebramos nuestra cultura hispana con alegría. El costo de inscripción incluye un boleto para el banquete. Boletos adicionales están disponibles al precio de $50, por persona – los cuales se pueden adquirir al momento de realizar su inscripción en línea.

Inscríbase Hoy para MARCHA 2016 |Register Today

ALMUERZO DE MUJERES

MARCHA se complace en invitar a las mujeres a acompañarnos a Comida/Almuerzo de Mujeres. Si usted planea acompañarnos, favor de notificarlo en la registración en línea.

TALLERES DE CAPACITACION

Este año, como parte de nuestra programación, estaremos ofreciendo una variedad de talleres sobre temas relacionados a asuntos de justicia social y discipulado auspiciados por varias agencias generales de la Iglesia Metodista Unida y la Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico . OPRIMA AQUI PARA MAS INFORMACION Y RESERVAR SU ESPACIO.

EDUCACIÓN CONTINUADA

Pastores recibirán créditos de Educación continua que la Disciplina requiere. Todos, laicos y pastores recibirán un certificado de participación.

REUNIÓN ASOCIACIÓN DE COORDINADORES DE MINISTERIOS HISPANO y SUPERINTENDENTES Y PERSONAL CONFERENCIAL HISPANOS

La Asociación se reunirá en el Verdanza Hotel. Los participantes pueden hacer reservaciones de Hotel utilizando el grupo de “MCW0516”. La membresía de la asociación se compone de lideres hispanos/as que son staff de la Conferencia Anual donde sirven (Directores, Superintendentes); director/a y/o coordinador/a de los Ministerios Hispanos de la Conferencia donde sirven; personal o staff de alguna de las Agencias generales de nuestra denominación.

Inscríbase Hoy para MARCHA 2016 |Register Today

OPORTUNIDADES PARA PROMOCIÓN

La Asamblea de MARCHA provee una oportunidad única de promocionar sus productos y/o servicios a los pastores/as y líderes dentro de la comunidad Metodista Unida. Usted puede promocionar sus productos y servicio reservando un paquete de auspiciador, una mesa de despliegue y/o incluyendo un anuncio promocional en el programa oficial de la actividad.

RESERVE SU ESPACIO HOY MISMO:Oprima aqui para mas informacion.

SPONSOR 2016

A continuación, celebramos a nuestros auspiciadores para MARCHA 2016

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posted on June 24, 2016 by marchaumc

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MARCHA & GBCS Joined Statement on the DACA/DAPA Supreme Court decision

6/23/2016 – Today, the Supreme Court of the United States – in a 4-4 decision – upheld the decision of a lower court, which challenged President Obama’s executive action on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and Deferred Action for Parents of Americans (DAPA). This split decision will result in the forced separation of families, and as United Methodists living out our faith in a global connection, we must prioritize keeping families together.

The United Methodist Church is in “support of just and fair immigration policies that benefit and allow the family to preserve and maintain its unity” (2012 Book of Resolutions, “US Immigration and Family Unity”).

And just last month, the General Conference affirmed – in the resolution “Welcoming the Migrant to the US” – the Executive Action taken by the President as a “necessary temporary step that allowed certain groups of immigrants to apply for temporary legal status, though not citizenship.” And acknowledged that legislative change is “the permanent step that is needed.”

Separating children from their parents is immoral and is contrary to the teachings of Jesus Christ and The United Methodist Church. We remain committed to education and advocacy efforts that support our sisters and brothers who flee violence and terror and are in search of a better life.

The Rev. Dr. Susan Henry-Crowe

General Secretary, General Board of Church and Society

Bishop Elías Galván

Executive Director,

Metodistas Representando la Causa de los Hispanos Americanos (MARCHA)

Filed Under: Noticias Tagged With: daca, dapa immigration, slider

posted on June 22, 2016 by marchaumc

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DECLARACIÓN DEL COMITE DE MINISTERIO HISPANO/LATINO DE LA CONFERENCIA ANUAL DE NUEVA INGLATERRA 2016

Unificados/as tras la tragedia sucedida en Orlando que se allega en muchas maneras a nuestros corazones, como Pastores/as y laicos/as sirviendo en la Conferencia Anual de Nueva Inglaterra reconocemos que

Nuestra tierra y comunidades Latinoamericana se duelen con la muerte de más de 30 hermanos y hermanas, hijos/as de nuestra tierra, sangre de nuestra sangre.

Se ha querido blanquear y omitir de la historia lo sucedido en Orlando, para que se llame un ataque terrorista anti-Estadounidense y no un ataque contra nuestra raza y nuestros hermanos y hermanas LGBTQ de las comunidades de color en general. Sus nombres y sus apellidos nos recuerdan que son nuestra gente, nuestra sangre.

Aun dentro de las diferencias teológicas que existen dentro de nuestra cultura, afirmamos el valor sagrado de la vida humana, afirmamos que cada ser humano es hijo/a de Dios. Afirmamos la diversidad porque somos una familia con muchos nombres, muchas formas de hablar el mism [Read more…]

Filed Under: Noticias Tagged With: LGBTQ, orlando, slider

posted on June 14, 2016 by marchaumc

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MARCHA Statement on the Orlando Massacre

6/13/2016 – It is with great sadness that we received the news of the dozens of people killed and wounded in Orlando Florida this past weekend. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of those whose lives were taken and those who were wounded and maimed. We grieve with those who lost loved ones. We pray for healing, we pray for strength, we pray for comfort to all those who are suffering as consequence of this heinous act of violence.

We are shocked and horrified at the behavior of this young man who showed such wanton disregard for the sanctity of human life. The fact that he selected a place where the gay community congregate raises serous questions and concerns for the safety of our brothers and sisters in the LGBTQ community across the nation. The fact that most of the victims were Hispanic/Latino leads us to serious self-reflection at the perceptions and prejudices in the Latino community toward the gay community.

MARCHA condemns all acts of discrimination, hate, or violence, either in words or actions, against any person or group of persons because of their race, culture, beliefs, or sexual orientation; acts that deny the image of God with whom all human beings are created. As Christians we commit ourselves to proclaim the Good News of the gospel: that Jesus came so that ALL persons experience life in its fullness.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10

For more information, contact Bishop Elias Galvan, executive director of MARCHA (galvan222@msn.com)

Filed Under: Noticias, YNews Tagged With: LGBT, orlando, slider

posted on June 14, 2016 by marchaumc

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Propuesta de Enmiendas al Reglamento de MARCHA

A continuación, compartimos las enmiendas propuestas al Reglamento de MARCHA. Las mismas son el fruto del trabajo de un sub-comité de trabajo organizado por el Consejo Directivo. Las enmiendas propuestas serán discutidas durante la Asamblea General que tendrá lugar del 4 al 7 de agosto de 2016, en el Hotel Verdanza en San Juan Puerto Rico.

Si tienen preguntas, pueden dirigir las mismas al Obispo Elías Galván, director ejecutivo de MARCHA via correo electrónico: mailto:galvan222@msn.com

Oprima aquí para accesar documento con enmiendas propuestas en formato PDF.

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posted on June 8, 2016 by marchaumc

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Conferencia General de la IMU envía petición de excarcelación de Oscar Lopez al Presidente Obama

Portland OR: Durante la Conferencia General de la Iglesia Metodista Unida que tuvo lugar en el mes de mayo de 2016, en Portland Oregon, los delegados aprobaron una resolucion presentada por MARCHA en la que la Iglesia Metodista Unida solicita al Presidente de los Estados Unidos, Barak Obama, y el Secretario de Justicia, Loretta Lynch, la liberación del preso político Oscar Lopez.

En la exposición de motivos, la resolución aclara que el castigo que enfrenta el Sr. Lopez es excesivo y va en contra de los principios cristianos de misericordia y justicia. La misma, fue el producto del trabajo del Comité Ejecutivo de MARCHA, el Equipo de Abogacia y Estrategia y la Iglesia Metodista de Puerto Rico.

Oprima aquí para leer la carta enviada al presidente de los Estados Unidos por el presidente del concilio de obispos de la Iglesia Metodista Unida.

Filed Under: Noticias Tagged With: Conferencia General 2016, GC2016, oscar lopez, Puerto Rico, slider

posted on February 28, 2016 by marchaumc

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GBCS Job Posting: Internship Programs Coordinator

Internship Programs Coordinator

The Coordinator for Church and Society Internship Programs provides direction and coordination for both the nine-week Ethnic Young Adults (EYA) Summer Internship program and fall and spring residential and non-residential internships at GBCS.

The Ethnic Young Adults (EYA) Summer Internship program is designed for young adults between the ages of 18 and 22, representing the five ethnic caucuses of The United Methodist Church: Native-Americans, Pacific-Islanders, Hispanic/Latinos, African-Americans and Asian-Americans. EYA internships are residential and require full time service. EYA internships are open to young adults from the Central Conferences of the UMC. Applicants must have an interest in exploring issues of public policy, social justice advocacy, and social change. The EYA Summer Internship will take place in Washington, DC June through July each calendar year.

EYA Interns are active members in The United Methodist Church demonstrate a passion to explore issues of faith, justice and advocacy, from personal, institutional, and social perspectives. Interns live in Christian community together in Washington, DC. Placements are supplemented by evening intern led devotions, Friday Seminars on topics of timely social justice concern, field trips and Sunday worship art local United Methodist churches.

GBCS interns during the summer, fall and spring terms are either full or part time in service and both residential and non-residential. GBCS interns are placed in Washington, DC with coalition partners to the GBCS and placed within GBCS.

The full job description and how to apply can be found here.

Filed Under: Jobs, Noticias

posted on February 28, 2016 by marchaumc

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GBCS Internship: Ethnic Young Adults

Ethnic Young Adults can apply now for a summer in DC!

February 22, 2016

Ethnic Young Adults begin their 2016 season of making a difference in Washington D.C. in just four months and that means the time to apply is NOW!Each year General Board of Church and Society interns come to the nation’s capitol to gain valuable advocacy experience, increase their leadership skills, and above all, develop and strengthen the connection between being servant of God and serving community.The GBCS offers two internship opportunities each year – three 10 to 12 week sessions in fall, Winter/Spring and Summer (which is a full time program)
THE EYA application deadline is March 15.

Those who may apply are young adult persons of color who are members of the United Methodist Church and are sophomore, junior or senior at time of application.

For more details visit: http://umc-gbcs.org/eya-internship

Filed Under: Jobs, Noticias, YNews

posted on February 28, 2016 by marchaumc

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GBCS Job Posting: Director of Civil and Human Rights

Position Opening: Director of Civil and Human Rights

The General Board of Church and Society (GBCS) of The United Methodist Church is the presence of the church on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. GBCS is tasked with implementing the Social Principles, which contain stances taken on social and political issues by The United Methodist Church. The General Board of Church and Society project plans and programs that challenge the members of The United Methodist Church to work through their own local churches, ecumenical channels, and society toward personal, social and civic righteousness. GBCS is charged to inform, motivate, train, organize, and build networks for action toward social justice throughout society, particularly on the specific issues prioritized by the board.

The Director of Civil and Human Rights will administer the civil and racial justice programs of the General Board of Church and Society including the priority issues of immigration and restorative justice. The Director will engage in analysis, communications, and advocacy on issues, engage policy-makers and maintain relationships with ecumenical and coalition offices. In collaboration with organizing staff, the Director will oversee engagement with networks of United Methodists working in the Annual Conference and local church contexts. The position reports to the Assistant General Secretary for Advocacy and Organizing. [Read more…]

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posted on February 28, 2016 by marchaumc

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GCFA Job Posting: Database Analyst

GCFA is currently recruiting for the following position.

Please click the link below for more information.

Database Analyst

If you know of someone who might be interested in this position, please have them send their resume to Human Resources via email at jobs@gcfa.org.

Filed Under: Jobs, Noticias

posted on February 6, 2016 by marchaumc

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Understanding the Crisis in Honduras

By Melissa Bowe, NJFON Program and Advocacy Manager

Originally published at: http://njfon.org/understanding-the-crisis-in-honduras

This past month I had the privilege of joining a delegation from the General Board of Church and Society at the Honduras Annual Conference. My specific role was to provide education on asylum law, special immigrant juvenile status and border enforcement to pastors and lay leaders throughout Honduras. Our larger vision was to listen. Listen to the people our media outlets and politicians have reduced to statistics, and learn what is actually happening on the ground in the Northern Triangle.

A mural from a United Methodist Church in Honduras. — *A mural from a United Methodist Church in Honduras*.

The timing of my trip was jarring, as the Obama administration’s planned raids on Central American women and children had begun just days earlier. Our nation’s haphazard and disturbing raids of families fleeing violence was juxtaposed with stories from those very families in Honduras who seek safety and refuge in the United States. They told us of their community’s desperation and yearning for peace from gang violence; for work; for freedom from fear of death, torture and harassment. It was clear to me from the very first day of our trip that no amount of raids, deportations, or imprisoning people in family detention centers is going to deter Hondurans from seeking refuge in other countries.

The will to live in safety cannot be discouraged through policy.

We heard stories of children fleeing in the middle of the night to Mexico or the United States. A father’s voice broke as he told us of his 13-year-old son, Juan Pablo, who hadn’t left the house in three months because the gangs wouldn’t leave him alone in school. The father worried because he himself had been seriously injured when he attempted the trip in 2003; he knew all too well what dangers lay ahead for his son. Others elaborated on the injuries their countrymen came home with, many sustained on la bestia, the infamous freight train that snakes through Mexico to the U.S. border. Many migrants take their chances riding the beast despite the oft-repeated horror stories: the surging wheels that slice through people who slip trying to jump on moving boxcars or who fall off while sleeping; the thieves who go car to car with machetes and guns; the night raids from Mexican law enforcement.

On la bestia. Photo: La Prensa — Danger on *la bestia/the beast.* Photo courtesy of La Prensa

Following these heartbreaking stories, I conducted a two-hour training for 50 pastors and lay leaders on American immigration law. The focus was on asylum law as it affects adults and parents with children arriving at the US/Mexico border. For instance, many people did not know that asylum law even exists in the United States; that it is legal to present oneself at our nation’s border and ask for sanctuary from persecution.

Melissa presentation Honduras2 — *Presentation and training for 50 pastors and lay leaders on American immigration law.*

I also talked about American immigration law pertaining to unaccompanied minors and how their experience and options for relief are sometimes different than those for adults fleeing the Northern Triangle. For instance, unaccompanied children who are abused, abandoned or neglected by their guardian(s) can, depending on circumstances, apply for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status that puts the child on a pathway to a green card. However, the child could never petition for a green card for their parents, and could not petition for their sibling until they became a United States citizen.

*Breaking into small groups to better share strategies and good practices.*

Following the legal component, small groups strategized on how to organize around the migration crisis in their communities and congregations. Some proposed counseling young people and their parents on the dangers of the migration routes, others vowed to share the information they learned during the legal presentation and to connect them to the many resources we distributed at the training (covering family detention, know your rights material for the U.S. border and interior, legal protections for unaccompanied minors). Other solution steps included creating a way for everyone to keep in touch across the country to better share resources between the congregations.

In addition to leading the workshop on migration, our delegation visited three Methodist congregations in and around the capital city of Tegucigalpa. On these excursions we learned that the major problems the people in these villages experience are the same ones faces by most people in Honduras: broken families due to migration, lack of medical assistance, extreme poverty and rampant gang violence. We learned that some of the Methodist churches are at the forefront of providing a safe place for their communities to heal and come together for a sense of hope. We visited a church with a tremendous amount of resources for the local community including a school, computer lab, art space, medical clinic and low-cost pharmacy.Without this medical clinic provided by the Methodist Church, residents would have to travel an hour to find medical care—and at double the price.

On the other hand, we also visited an incredibly poor church in a gang-run village. To enter this village we had to make sure our faces and hands were visible and that we didn’t inadvertently look anyone in the eyes; gang members were watching us as we drove through the streets and up to the church. We found a tremendous spirit at this beleaguered church, but also a sense of brokenness from the profound violence, poverty and subsequent migration.

There are an estimated 36,000 gang members in Honduras—out of a total population of 8= million. From The Telegraph. — *There are an estimated 36,000 gang members in Honduras—out of a total population of eight million*. From The Telegraph.

In a country of approximately eight million people, there are an estimated 36,000 street-gang members. The murder rate was again the highest in the world in 2014—90.4 homicides per 100,000 people. Children are far from safe from the deluge of violence; according to the National Commission for Human Rights in Honduras, 458 children were murdered between 2010 and 2013. Casa Alianza also reports that in the first 4 months of 2014, 270 people under the age of 23 were murdered.

As Americans and people of faith, it is vital that we recognize this situation as a humanitarian and refugee crisis, one involving a vulnerable population. It is not merely a border security and immigration enforcement matter. I encourage all of us to learn more about the root causes of migration from the Northern Triangle and to share that knowledge with others. We at least owe that much to Juan Pablo, a scared 13- year-old boy, who remains in hiding while contemplating the dangerous journey here.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Noticias Tagged With: honduras, justicia, slider