A New Beginning
When COVID hit, I saw a very obvious turn in everyone’s willingness and ability to help Operation Family Freedom. I couldn’t blame or judge anyone for it because it seemed like the whole world was preparing for survival in the face of the unknown. It was hard for even me to focus on the needs of those so far from my everyday life. Over the past three years, I have done very little to advance the objectives of the Non-Profit Foundation. I am grateful for those who have been able to contribute regularly, as it has allowed us to service a few families here and there. Unfortunately, things in South America, Venezuela in particular, are on a steep decline into chaos and the number of families that have approached me has significantly increased. Last month (May 2023) I turned away six families desperately begging for help. It sucks, but to some extent, I feel that the Foundation, or me personally, can not be the answer to all their prayers. I have faith that God will take care of them, although the road they travel is far more challenging than most of us reading Facebook from our first-world living rooms can even imagine. I wish I had the time and resources to dig in and pull those 6 families back from the brink of despair, but my business has responsibilities and obligations to other families, and I can not currently dedicate the type of time that is needed to help those 6 families.
However, there is a 7th family. I said I turned six families away in May, but I had 7 approaches me. The 7th family is one that we first became acquainted with several years ago. Operation Family Freedom assisted them in purchasing a computer to start a business. I haven’t turned them away yet because their circumstances are such that with a little help, big waves will move. Familia Moreno-Lugo has worked diligently to lawfully immigrate to the United States. They received official paperwork to immigrate to the United States, and have in place the proper support structure for being successful, but they lack the financial resources to travel.
Since 2020, a lot of families have approached me about illegally crossing the border into the United States. I always make sure they know that I don’t support that, and we encourage lawful entry. Not only is it dangerous, but I believe we should respect the immigration laws of this country, however broken I feel they may be.
Because Familia Moreno-Lugo has done a lot of the really hard work and obtained the required permissions needed to do things the right way, I felt it was worth an effort to try and help them get past this challenge. They are required to travel on commercial airlines, and tickets and other required needs are around $3000. Once here they will also need help getting on their feet. Fortunately, they will have a few months to get ready for the cold weather. They are in the process of selling everything they own to help raise the money. I am told that if everything goes well, they might be able to get around $1000 for everything. I told them I would see if we couldn’t raise a few extra dollars to help cover the gap and get them the tickets they need sooner, rather than later. If you have a few extra dollars. Drop in on our website and make a donation in their names Familia Moreno Lugo.
Thank you for your support.
Give Today
$5
$10
$50
$250
$500
Other
Recent Comments