An Ethiopian man in his mid-20s walked into the legal aid clinic hosted by First Covenant Church (Minneapolis) last week.
He was seeking help with his asylum process in the US.
The church contacted IAFR for help. I had coffee with him a few days later.
The man told me of his 7 month journey to the USA that took him from Ethiopia to Ecuador. He took buses and boats through the countries of Central America into Mexico, paying smugglers to cross borders.
He felt threatened by gang members in a Mexican city just south of the border of Texas. He fled, abandoning the few things he had taken with him on his journey - including his spare clothing.
He was placed in an immigrant detention center in Texas (a former prison) for a month before being released to wait on the US government's decision concerning his request for political asylum.
He then made his way from Texas to Minnesota, host to the largest community of Oromo Ethiopians in the USA.
We discovered that we share a common faith in Jesus Christ. We encouraged one another as we reflected on God's love and faithfulness - and the reality that he hears our cries.
Before leaving, I put him into contact with
Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, a non-profit that offers pro bono legal representation to asylum seekers.
I thank God for the opportunity to have had that cup of coffee together.
_______
If you would like to pray for him, just refer to him as "Mr. B." God knows to whom you are referring.
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