Emergency family reunification

There is a sea of people at our southern border. They are not drug smugglers, murderers, rapists, or vermin. They are people fleeing the remnants of military groups, drug cartels and gangs who have taken control of their countries. They just want to be safe, and together as families, like we all do.

Last night my husband and I watched the PBS Newshour where people at the border were being interviewed. We were both very saddened by each story.

Our friend, Edelber, was kidnapped in October of 2021 by gang members near Cali, Colombia, and was told he would have to join their gang, or he would be killed. He was told he had 48 hours to make a decision. Edelber was able to escape, and make it back to his home. He packed some belongings and it was decided he should leave Colombia. His wife and two boys had family nearby and stayed, with a plan to follow him soon.

Edelber is now in the United States legally, employed, paying taxes, volunteering in his community, and finishing vocational training in robotics through his employer. He is a respected community member. He has been trying since he arrived, to get his wife and two sons here with him. He saved money to send for them, and they left Colombia in mid-March of 2024.

The situation is very dangerous for this young mom and her sons, and her husband has used all of his savings for their journey so far. Our resettlement group is responsible for other families also, and cannot assist with this expense. We want them to be safely with their husband/father here in Minnesota.

Edelber’s family has been caught up in the large crowds, and detained at the southern border of Mexico. The sponsors in our resettlement group are working to get them out of detention and get them to the U.S. safely. We have secured an attorney, and need to make travel arrangements to get them safely to a shelter where they will complete the process to be reunited with their father/husband whom they have not seen for more than two years.

Money raised will be used ONLY to secure proper paperwork, for transportation out of dangerous areas, to get the family to a secure shelter, and get them into the arms of their U.S. family member. They will be here legally as asylum seekers.

If you prefer to send a check for this cause, it can be sent to: Central Lutheran Church, 259 West Wabasha Street, Winona, MN 55987…Please put Edelber/WIN on the memo line.

After the news ended last night, my husband and I looked at each other and could not ignore this human disaster at our border. We KNOW AND LOVE some of these people. We cannot turn our backs on this family. Thank you for any support you can give Edelber, Adrianna, Thomas and Dylan.

NOTE: I just posted this, and have people who know and love Edelber doing some calling.

As a testament to the kind, gentle, hard-working man Edelber is, a person in our community whom Edelber has befriended and helped many times just gave a $500 CASH donation to Edelber for immediate needs for his family today. Thank you!