Ruth Ortiz, River Ministry Missionary in Laredo, takes mission teams to serve with volunteers from local churches in Nuevo Laredo to serve refugees and deportees at the Instituto Tamaulipeco and now at the local Greyhound bus station. This is a report from her work at the bus station.
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. - Matthew 25:35
More than a month ago, pastor Lorenzo Ortiz received a call from an institution telling him there were many people in the bus station. When he arrived at greyhound, many children were barefoot, sleeping on the floor, parents did not have tickets, and none of them had eaten for hours. A bus from one of the detention centers, dropped a big group of immigrants seeking political asylum at the Greyhound Bus station. Pastor Lorenzo and my family began taking tacos and drinks. We would give extra food to the people that already had tickets and were traveling for days.
A few weeks ago, we realized there was a greater need. Many of those families were sleeping in the bus station until they had their tickets purchased. This sometimes took a few days. Pastor Lorenzo began taking a group of them to our church to spend the night, shower, and eat. Many of them had not showered in more than 12 days. My family and a few other volunteers helped them contact their relatives so they could get their bus tickets. During our service, the majority went up to the altar and prayed. Our challenge is not having many basic needs for people we are serving, but especially the children. Many of the children did not have undergarments. One 6 year old girl had been wearing diapers for days since she did not have underwear.
Today, more than 300 immigrants are already in their destination cities and some have called to not only thank us, but mention that they are already looking for a church or attending a church. Many of you have been a part of this ministry already. We need you to be part of it now!
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to send me a message at ruthortiz150@gmail.com.
Items needed at this time:
(Items may change, contact for updated list)
- Bibles
- Hygiene kits (toothbrush, toothpaste, bar soap, deodorant, shampoo, pads, etc.)
- Blankets, sleeping bags, shoelaces
- Children's clothing, shoes, baby bottles, wipes
- Towels, Diapers (all sizes)
- Undergarments (all sizes) for women, men, and children
- Food (meal prepared, basics: eggs, ham, cooking oil, sugar, coffee)
- Trash Bags, dishwashing liquid, Clorox, Lysol spray, detergent, big cooking pans (all size cookware, spoons/forks)
May God Bless You!
