Deep in the Chihuahua desert, just across the border crossing at Columbus New Mexico, lies the village of Puerto Palomas, Mexico. With less than 5000 inhabitants, Palomas has seen more than its share of suffering and death due to cartel violence. It’s isolated location is attractive to the “coyotes” who openly recruit asylum seekers, including unaccompanied children, offering to help them get across the US border, with promises which are in fact nightmares of human slavery as drug smugglers.
08 / 05 / 2020
Sitting just a few blocks south of the port of entry is the Tierra De Oro (land of gold) shelter, a ministry of Southwest Fellowship, led by pastor Rosalio Sosa. Opening in February 2020 as a response to the increasing numbers of immigrants being returned to Mexico by the US Customs and Border Patrol under the Remain in Mexico Program (MPP), the town officials requested help as people were living in the dusty streets without food, medicine, or shelter, easy targets for the cartel. Although the cartel burned the first shelter, formerly a fire station, they rebuilt and now receive 60+ people daily, including families, single men, and unaccompanied minors. Pastor Sosa and his team lovingly care for their needs, both physical and spiritual, sharing the love of Jesus. Many accept Christ as a result.
Security is a huge need as the cartel recruiters come into the shelter to kidnap people to work for them. It is a constant danger and many shelters along the border have had pastors and residents kidnapped, never to be found. HFTW Global has provided materials for a chain link fence and security cameras. The state of Chihuahua has agreed to provide night time security guards. Please join us in prayer for this ministry.
