Teología Migrante en Acción • Migrant Theology in Action
By Maria Fernanda Saavedra Diaz
From Fundación SEPAZ
The COVID-19 virus has presented us with a challenge and awakened us to our purpose as Christians in becoming uncomfortable in our security and passivity and turning our beliefs into concrete actions. Therefore, as Fundación SEPAZ, we wanted to take on the challenge of being part of the solution to inaction displayed by some social and ecclesial sectors; assuming that the response to the pandemic will only be successful if we face it in a cooperative, supportive and empathetic way with the populations most affected. This includes the Venezuelan migrant population, who are stigmatized for being considered possible "carriers of the virus", which has led to unnecessary complications in their lives.
For this reason, as a foundation we believe that instead of separating ourselves from the world, we must go towards it, “Far from avoiding responsibility, it means taking responsibility to understand our context, that is, true spirituality is shown in our way of living and in the way we relate to our environment". Once we see the other through the eyes of Jesus, we will not be able to evade responsibility since, with his example, he taught us that we all matter, that there is not a single person who does not deserve our help, compassion, mercy and love (Jn. 13:34; Eph. 4:32) and, above all, he taught us to put others before ourselves and serve those who need us most, taking care to do good works with them (Titus 3:8; Eph. 2:10; Titus 2: 7; Titus 2: 14; Heb. 10:24; 1 Peter 2:12).
The biblical text of Matthew 8: 1-3, when Jesus heals a leper, should lead us to reflect on our actions in difficult times when nobody else is willing to do something. To find the similarity between the verse of Matthew and our time, we must compare each in its historical contexts. It is apparent that the lepers were excluded by society since they were considered impure and lived isolated from others (Lev 13 : 45-46), which stripped them of their dignity as human beings since they were shown neither mercy nor considered worthy of rights. This is very similar to the situation that Venezuelan migrants have gone through during the pandemic where they have to navigate a society that is in fear of and rejects them.
When Jesus heals the leper, he restores his dignity as a human being. He shows him mercy, empathy and tenderness when touching him, even when this was not welcomed or even dangerous to do so. Therefore, it should teach us that in difficult times of discomfort, trial and adversity, this is where we must have a true understanding with the other, challenging ourselves to be communicators of tenderness, love and compassion. This is where we take care of life, the fragile, the weak, and where we restore the dignity of the people from whom it was taken away. We need to follow the example of Jesus and the Good Samaritan to care for the wounded, the sick and the needy with affection and love. This passage -- and many more embodied in the Bible -- lead us to awaken from our comfort and passivity. We do not need a special calling to help those in need, since we fail as Christians if we do not have a true understanding and love for the other.
Therefore, our experience of accompaniment has consisted of bringing in the migrant population traversing through the Pan-American highway as part of our SEPAZ family. In Mondomo Cauca, we currently have a Migratory Transit Hall, where migrants are provided with food, water and rest; where they can bathe, receive funds, connect with their loved ones via the internet or by phone and make complaints about lost documents. Likewise, we give families with children the option of staying in a hotel so that they can rest before continuing their journey. Similarly, in cases when we have had resources, we have given migrants transportation to Ipiales[1][i]; in the last two months, thanks to connections with other allied foundations, we have sent families to the Cali terminal where they are expected to receive transport to Ipiales.
We also work for the well-being and improved living conditions of the permanent migrant population by obtaining resources for markets, medicines, medical examinations, transportation, school kits, toilet kits, baby kits, among others. Likewise, we provide them with psycho-spiritual accompaniment at the individual, family, group, social and community level. We provide legal support when their rights are violated, helping with such things as: the right to health, education, physical integrity, freedom of residence and movement, etc. We also help them in the process of applying for refugee status in Colombia. On the other hand, we have carried out awareness campaigns for the larger community and for the migrant population so that everyone can live together in a space free from violence and discrimination.
Finally, we have carried out entrepreneurial activities for women and activities that include migrant children. Along with this, we have had an impact in the community, since anyone in a state of vulnerability is referred to the foundation. We recommend that any work carried out with the migrant population be done with tenderness, empathy, understanding and love.
A good practice for the church today is to clothe ourselves in love (Colossians 3:14) and good works because only through love, mercy, humility, kindness, dedication and empathy will it be possible for others to flourish. Furthermore, it is with love that we can erase all the prejudices that separate us from the other and make us insensitive to their suffering. Because of this, we must learn to love others (1 John 4: 7-8) as the reality is that we cannot and should not ignore that we are called by God to sincerely love everyone and see their needs as our own and turning that love into action as Jesus did.
The Christian faith is not tested in times of comfort, but in times of adversity, where we must have a humble and compassionate heart toward the suffering of others. And as John Wesley said: "Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all the ways you can, for as long as you can."
[1]Ipiales is a Colombian municipality located in the department of Nariño. Located on the border with Ecuador, in the Andean highlands, relatively close to the Pacific Ocean coast, approximately 470 kilometers and between 9 and 12 hours away from Cali, depending on the means of land transportation.
[2]Source: fundacionsepaz.org
