Diaspora - A New Broken Ministry

     As we meet and talk to new people, we are finding out more about the process of people being returned to El Salvador from the U.S.  We are also learning about the conditions to which they are returning.  The term deportee is viewed as negative not only within the culture but also in the community of those being returned. We will be referring to these folks as our “Returning Brothers and Sisters”.

     Although we have no information on the percentage breakdown, we find there are three major groups of Returning Brothers and Sisters when they exit immigration at the airport. 

1. One category would be people returning to family. This would be, mother, aunts, uncles, etc. knowing of their return and meeting them at the airport, providing a place to live, food and help getting a job.

2. The second category would be people returning that have been referred to connections in El Salvador through various ministries (such as Prison Fellowship or other prison ministry).  These ministries would provide a place to live, food and getting help with adjusting to their new country.

3. The third category is, people returning to no family, no contacts, no place to stay the night, and no help other than two pupusas when they got off the plane.

Returning Brothers

     So this is where we introduce a ministry God has placed on our hearts called “Diaspora”, which means a displaced people. The people that are sent back range from lifetime criminals to someone that received a DUI and everything in between. They have been removed from their families, jobs, lifestyle, and property; in a word they are displaced. They are returned to the country they were born in but they were raised and built lives in the United States. They return to a totally unfamiliar foreign land.

Returning Sisters

     “Diaspora” will go to the airport and meet the Returning as they exit immigration. We have learned that at least one plane with 100 - 150 Returning Brothers and Sisters lands in San Salvador every day.  Sometimes there are two planes.

     Although the first 2 categories still have needs, we plan to give them information about Hungry Church and American football. 

     The greatest immediate need would be with the third category and this is where we will place the most effort.  Along with telling them about Hungry Church and American football, we will also minister to their needs as follows:

• Provide food…we would offer sandwiches, fruit and bottled water.
• Provide a gift of personal hygiene products.
• Provide phone service…. If they have someone to call.
• Help with transportation….at least to San Salvador from the airport.
• Help with finding a place to stay for the night…. Possibly providing a voucher for a nights stay in a hostel.
• Provide a change of clothes…. many returning would be dressed in prison issued clothes. We would like to provide a pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt.  Wearing prison clothing labels them to the public and also makes them a target for local gangs.

List of prayer needs for Diaspora:

• Favor with El Salvador Immigration and airport security, we need their help with notification of flights and gaining access within the airport.
• For God to raise up someone to lead Diaspora.
• For God to also raise up helpers.
• For safety with our encounters.  We know that these relationships will require careful attention.
• Pray for the Lord’s guidance and wisdom.