ELKHART, Ind. (Mennonite Mission Network) – An unexpected visit to the United States–Mexico border in 2009 transformed Sarah Jackson’s mind and birthed a ministry.
Before then, Jackson would have referred to undocumented workers as “aliens,” rather than neighbors that she now invites to stay in her home.
If asked how the United States should fix its immigration problem, she would have suggested the strangers be deported, rather than befriended.
Back then, Jackson, who said she was living “the perfect life” in her majority white Colorado Springs, about a one hour drive from Denver, would have added her voice to those who say, “Build higher fences and beef up patrols to secure the borders.” She probably would never have relocated to her current apartment in racially and ethnically mixed Aurora suburb to be an advocate who galvanizes volunteers who help reunite immigrant families.
“At that time, I didn’t care about immigration and didn’t think it affected my life in any way,” said Jackson, as she reflected on her five-day educational trip to the border that led her to launch Casa de Paz (House of Peace) in 2012.
“Before the trip (which came at the invitation of Catholic Charities to various Christian denominations), it was easy for me to make quick judgments and assumptions about the people who were here without authorization,” said Jackson. “But it’s a different story when you’re eating dinner with a hard-working man, who basically grew up in the United States, but is just trying to get back to his family after being deported. I realized that this was a real issue affecting real people, not just a random story I was hearing about on the news.”
Through Casa de Paz, Jackson provides shelter and food for family members visiting detained undocumented immigrants. They stay in Jackson’s one bedroom apartment, which she specifically rented across the street from the Aurora Detention Facility.
Jackson hosts women and children. She gives up her bedroom (and sometimes her entire home) to them and sleeps on the couch or at the nearby home of her sister, Anna Jackson. Through the Casa de Paz network of local volunteers, Jackson calls male friends who provide immigrant men with food and shelter, especially for those who have been released by the detention center and have nowhere to go.
On average, Jackson hosts about eight people a month, for several days at a time. She finds out about people in need of help through word of mouth, such as from immigration lawyers.
The ministry is supported by individuals and congregations of the Mountains States Mennonite Conference and other denominations.
Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Mission Network offer support through shared staff in the Holistic Witness team, which empowers grassroots leaders to become entrepreneurial and radical in their commitment to peacemaking, evangelism, service, church planting, and justice
Jackson hears first-hand stories of people, primarily from Mexico and Central America, who make long, dangerous trips north in order to provide for their families. The people come north in part because of free trade agreements, made by the United States government and neighboring countries, which have led to the displacement of many agricultural workers in Latin America, as well as manufacturing workers in the United States.
Jackson hears stories of beatings, robberies, and rapes. She hears of families torn apart. And yet, the immigrants’ optimism toward America, hope in God, and love of family radiates from nightmares, she said.
“The Bible has a lot to say about immigrants,” Jackson said. “I grew up in the church and I never heard anything about welcoming a stranger in your land, or that tithing was also about leaving food behind for the orphans, so that they would not starve.”
“Seeing the love that the people have for their families – the perseverance and patience and strength – these are the type of people that we should want to stay in this country and be our neighbors,” Jackson said. “It would be a more beautiful country if they were able to stay and be free. That’s not something that I would have imagined saying five years ago.”
There are an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. Of Aurora’s population of 340,000, about one in five residents were born in countries such as Russia, Mexico and Ethiopia. More than 100 languages are spoken in the public schools. According to published reports, immigrants have reported feeling isolated and underrepresented. The city is considering opening an Immigrant Welcome Center that would offer help or information in areas, such as housing, employment and education.
“I believe that Sarah Jackson is doing the work that every church should be doing,” said Jaime Lázaro, outreach minister for Mountains States Mennonite Conference. “To do something like this, one has to have experienced a powerful life transformation, a divine touch, and a new conversion. Sarah is only just beginning the great task that God has prepared for her.”
Casa de Paz receives support – ranging from money to clothing and food drives – from individuals and area congregations, such as First Mennonite Church of Denver, where Jackson attends. However, Jackson admitted to having difficulty asking for financial support.
“I’m really bad at asking for money because I get embarrassed,” she said.
So she found another way. She formed a league called Volleyball Latino, where more than 50 teams pay $200 to play, knowing the proceeds will help to support Casa de Paz. The league has also become a ministry of sorts, bringing together white and Hispanic players.
“A lot of people, who would normally not be in the same building together, are now forming relationships and going to each other’s birthday parties,” Jackson said.
“Sarah seems to combine a compassionate heart and a hands-on attitude to respond to the needs of her immigrant neighbors,” said Mauricio Chenlo, denominational minister for church planting for both Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Church USA. “She is an example of missional leaders who are risking entrepreneurial initiatives to engage with those who have been marginalized.”
Jackson shared a story about an undocumented worker named Tony (his last name is being withheld to protect his privacy) who had been in the detention center a few years. He was released after it was determined that he was not a threat. Through friends of Casa de Paz, Tony had been receiving visits while he was detained. The friends helped him rebuild his life after he was released. They held a birthday celebration for him.
“At his birthday party he had a big smile on his face,” Jackson said. “I teared up. These were people who had taken the words of Jesus – to love thy neighbor as yourself – very seriously. They were good people who knew the right thing to do.
“Five years ago, I didn’t know anything about [immigration]. Now look at what I’m doing! It’s not just me. There is this huge community of volunteers who are helping people. They are making sure that our guests feel that they matter.”
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Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
