These have been very busy days! On Friday, a mom with two young daughters and
a special needs son came to the shelter. Her son, about 10, was totally out of
control. The mom could not be processed until the son calmed down. I offered to watch the children. The son became very
quiet when his mom left.
After awhile, I was able to engage him and play with
him. The mom said that the child's prescription medicine had run out. Ruben was
called and took the mom and boy to Children's Hospital where the staff decided
to keep him for observation before new medication could be described. In the
meantime, another woman was asked to watch the two girls. It is events like this
that remind us that to be a refugee and to be poor is to be totally dependent
on the charity of others!
On Sunday (my day off) I attended "A Las Posadas" celebration with two other
Sisters. This one was sponsored by United Farmworkers. We gathered for prayer
led by Bishop Seitz and then processed three houses. At each house the group asks
if there is a room for Mary and Joseph for she is soon to have a child. The
first two refuse and the third welcomes the Holy Family.
The third house
was the Opportunity Center where Migrant workers are assisted. Many stay overnight
sleeping on the floor so they have an opportunity for day labor in the morning
when workers are hired and picked up. We were welcomed and fed tamales wrapped in cornhusks. There was a piñata for the children.
Today, Monday, was totally busy. The Shelter welcomed several vanloads
of families, over 100 I believe! I and another volunteer spent four hours washing
sheets at the local laundromat and were grateful for two women there who helped
to fold sheets!
Tomorrow (Tuesday) I work 7am to 2pm and then it's home!
I deeply appreciate the experience!
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