José Antonio and Adriana pastor at Camino de Salvación Church in the east of Tijuana. The Church is also a shelter, since thousands of Haitians started to arrive at Tijuana in 2016. Right now, this church shelter is home for 15 people. 

For people who are “stuck” in Tijuana, waiting for their cases to be heard by the US government and who are living at the church, life could not be more uncertain. For the most vulnerable, the pandemic has heightened the reality of the utter dependence on God’s promise of daily provision and generosity. The answers to these prayers has come through the care of the Tijuana church and donations coming from North of the border. 

People are coping with the pandemic through daily work in the shelter serving each other. Many emotional needs are growing as psychological and medical attention is offered on a regular basis. Yet, people are also playing more than ever. Board games are played after every meal and daily chores are a shared practice. 

As the church closed its doors for meetings, the main building has become a library, office, exercise room, movie room and playroom. The shelter has suddenly, and symbolically, taken over the church. Pastor Jose Antonio, a Tijuana peacemaker, shares that if it was not for our vocation to contend for those who are the most vulnerable in our city at this time, the church building would probably serve no purpose. But aiding others is costly. Since there is less support coming from the US in aid of the shelters, the lives of migrants and asylum seekers waiting in Tijuana, depend on people like Jose Antonio and others from the church who invest their own resources. 

In times of pandemic, self-preservation is important to keep us safe. However, loving others sacrificially is the mark of peacemakers and followers of Jesus. As we see, immerse and contend for those who are most vulnerable, we are answering to God’s invitation and following the steps of Jesus. 

Peacemakers like José Antonio and Adriana, are like most of us. They work full time jobs, serve the church, support a family, but when it comes to the Pandemic, it is not only about themselves and their family. As Jose Antonio told us: “I trust God things will work out for the people in the shelter.” Faith in Christ is worthwhile as we practice what we know, even if it is as simple as loving our neighbors