New Shelter Opens, by Sister Phyllis Tierney SSJ

On Tuesday, Ruben Garcia opened another shelter. Because so many refugees came last week, the new plan is for each shelter to alternate days for accepting guests.

Tuesday we did not take new guests so we had time to prepare to accept guests today.
Today (Wednesday) was busy. New guests began to come after lunch.

We were busy because we had to put out lunch and clean up. About 30 people arrived, twelve families. Volunteers who speak Spanish process each one to find out the destination of each. Transportation arrangements must be made and volunteers contacted to take them to the bus station or airport.

My job was to show them to their rooms, give them towels and personal hygiene packets. After they had transport arranged they could pick out clothes in the clothing room. Then I took them to the showers. In between times, I check on rooms that have been vacated to be sure they are clean and no clothing is left.

Two of the volunteers I am living with got sick today. One of them, John, has been our driver! Hopefully he'll feel better tomorrow!