Reunite a Needy Family
Donation protected
I am a missionary to Hispanics in Oregon. Last February one of my parishioners, Juan, called saying that his son in Mexico was dying of kidney failure. They had returned to Mexico nine years earlier seeking treatment for their son’s kidney problems. Now, the doctor was telling them that they were at the end of the road.
I immediately called the doctor in Mexico and asked if Emanuel was strong enough to travel. He responded with, “Yes,” but quickly added that Emanuel could get much worse at any moment. I sent Juan to get his son. We met at the border crossing in Tijuana and I quickly drove him to an emergency room in San Diego. Emanuel was transported by ambulance to Rady Children’s Hospital where he spent 3 days in intensive care and another few days in a regular bed. We then flew him to Portland, Oregon where he was direct admitted Doernbecher Children’s hospital and spent a week further stabilizing.
Since that time my wife and I have been taking Emanuel up to Portland for dialysis three times a week. Juan and Emanuel live in my daughter’s basement while Emanuel’s mother and two siblings are still in Oaxaca, Mexico. Emanuel’s mom, Vicki, and his younger brother do not have legal papers to come to the U.S. Fortunately, Juan applied for his wife 14 years ago and now their waiting is almost over.
In order to complete the process, they need to travel to Juarez, Mexico, get Mexican passports, have a medical exam and receive all appropriate immunizations, meet with a consular official for final approval, and then travel to Salem, Oregon. The process in Juarez could take two or three weeks. Living in a hotel as well as all the travel will be very expensive. Juan is a farm worker that makes only $10 an hour. All of his money goes to support his family in Mexico and his son here in Salem.
Our previous experience with this process leads us to believe that Juan and his family will need about $3500 more than what we have currently. Juan needs his wife’s help. Emanuel needs his mom. This family needs to be reunited. Please help if you can by praying and donating.
Juan's lawyer says that Vicki and her children could be reunited with Juan and Emanuel within two months. The only thing standing in the way is having sufficient funds to finish the process. The picture above is Emanuel trying on my hat. He looks so much healthier and happier then when I first took him to the hospital in San Diego. Immagine how happy and thankful he will be when he gets to hug his mom and the whole family is together again.
I immediately called the doctor in Mexico and asked if Emanuel was strong enough to travel. He responded with, “Yes,” but quickly added that Emanuel could get much worse at any moment. I sent Juan to get his son. We met at the border crossing in Tijuana and I quickly drove him to an emergency room in San Diego. Emanuel was transported by ambulance to Rady Children’s Hospital where he spent 3 days in intensive care and another few days in a regular bed. We then flew him to Portland, Oregon where he was direct admitted Doernbecher Children’s hospital and spent a week further stabilizing.
Since that time my wife and I have been taking Emanuel up to Portland for dialysis three times a week. Juan and Emanuel live in my daughter’s basement while Emanuel’s mother and two siblings are still in Oaxaca, Mexico. Emanuel’s mom, Vicki, and his younger brother do not have legal papers to come to the U.S. Fortunately, Juan applied for his wife 14 years ago and now their waiting is almost over.
In order to complete the process, they need to travel to Juarez, Mexico, get Mexican passports, have a medical exam and receive all appropriate immunizations, meet with a consular official for final approval, and then travel to Salem, Oregon. The process in Juarez could take two or three weeks. Living in a hotel as well as all the travel will be very expensive. Juan is a farm worker that makes only $10 an hour. All of his money goes to support his family in Mexico and his son here in Salem.
Our previous experience with this process leads us to believe that Juan and his family will need about $3500 more than what we have currently. Juan needs his wife’s help. Emanuel needs his mom. This family needs to be reunited. Please help if you can by praying and donating.
Juan's lawyer says that Vicki and her children could be reunited with Juan and Emanuel within two months. The only thing standing in the way is having sufficient funds to finish the process. The picture above is Emanuel trying on my hat. He looks so much healthier and happier then when I first took him to the hospital in San Diego. Immagine how happy and thankful he will be when he gets to hug his mom and the whole family is together again.
Organizer
Jon Sousa
Organizer
Lebanon, OR