I am forever grateful for the
organize donations at the respite center, which provides showers, clean clothes and food suitable for those who may not have eaten in days. The families have to be reintroduced to food and are served a broth and noodle soup as they arrive. Even the spoons they use are small, so that new arrivals don’t consume the food so quickly that they become sick. Water is served in small paper cups, as well.
I must mention Sister Norma Pimentel, executive director of Catholic Charities of Rio Grande, who also oversees the ministry of the respite center. Sister Norma doesn’t just provide food and clothing; she serves dignity and hope to everyone she meets. All eyes follow her as she almost floats through the room, touching and talking to those with whom she comes into contact.
I found her to be a living legend and gift from God, not just in the eyes of
those this miraculous effort serves but also in the eyes of those who have the opportunity to meet her and experience her tremendous presence.
As dignity and hope are served to families, a staff member processes the U.S.-approved entry papers so that families can be matched up with family members or sponsors in America. They are then taken to the bus station to board a bus to their destination for a much better life with the love of one another and prayers from all who were privileged to serve them.
In spite of the incredible stress these families are under, I never saw one outburst in my eight days of working with them. They never even lost patience with a crying child. They gave thanks before every meal and fed their children first. They thanked everyone who worked at the respite center continually.
And the children were simply children, laughing at silliness just as my grandchildren do. As the Memphis teenagers interacted with them, the children responded with pure love and affection. After one of our Memphis teens braided a little girl’s hair, the child said, “Please don’t ever forget me; I love you with all my heart.”
I will never forget these incredible people who I had the privilege to serve on their journey to better lives. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to share God’s love with them and welcome the stranger, as our Lord has taught us.
Now, more than ever, I believe that God’s love endures forever.
Richard C. ‘Dick’ Hackett is executive director of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee, and former mayor of Memphis.