This is Real

The audience erupted in applause as soon as the translator finished relaying what Pastor Ignacio had said in Spanish.

“The US doesn’t need a businessman running it. They need a president.”

He was speaking about the current crisis facing ABBA House, a migrant center that does miraculous work in Celaya, a city a couple of hours south of San Miguel de Allende but a world away.

Due to the elimination of USAID by the forces that currently control Washington, ABBA House’s funding dried up overnight, and has yet to be restored despite judicial orders to the contrary.

The work of ABBA House started more than a decade ago with Pastor Ignacio and his family preparing meals for migrants along the railroad tracks. It has grown to a house that provides shelter, psychological and legal support, and above all, dignity.

ABBA House also provides prosthetics and medical care for migrants who have lost limbs during their journey north, primarily due to falls from “La Bestia,” the train that many dangerously jump onto, crowding the roofs of the freight cars.

The day after the writing conference in San Miguel ended, I sat in an overflowing audience of mostly Americans and Canadians who were here to support ABBA House and view the documentary “Where Can We Live in Peace?” This film tells the story of migrants at ABBA House in great detail. It’s as real as it gets. My words cannot do it justice, but the trailer below will give you a glimpse of the emotions that are a part of everyday life for migrants.

The award winning filmmaker Judy Jackson was on hand to introduce the film and discuss some of her other work. We were privileged to see a short clip of a yet-to-be-released project that includes an interview with Giovanni Lepri, Representative, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Mexico. He spoke of how Mexico is changing the narratives about refugees by matching migrants with local industries that need workers. The government is providing work visas and temporary residency to help alleviate the crisis. Lepri said Mexico is a shining example for other nations of how to address the migrant crises impacting Europe, the US, and other countries.

ABBA House does not help migrants get across the border illegally. It simply provides basic food, rest, and care, along with information to help migrants make their own decisions about what steps to take next. Some give up their dream and turn around, some are lucky enough to remain in Mexico and work, others risk their lives and the lives of their families to continue north – because they have no other viable option.

When asked about resistance he has received to providing support for migrants, Pastor Ignacio spoke of death threats to his family as well as other churches criticizing his work (because they believe that God has anointed the current president of the US). Yet, he believes that “God cares for migrants” and he will continue to do this work “until dignity becomes the custom.”

It was truly inspiring to hear Pastor Ignacio, Judy Jackson and others speak about their work and how one stroke of a pen in Washington made their work, and the lives of the thousands of migrants they serve, so much more difficult and dangerous.

Here are a few places where you can learn more about ABBA House and even contribute. Despite the obstacles ahead, they are continuing with plans to build a larger migrant center and rehab facility to accommodate the increasing numbers of people needing prosthetics.

• Latin American Relief Fund – With the cut of USAID, this nonprofit organization is now the sole provider of funding for ABBA House. They have done incredible work, raising over $500,000 since 2018, with an all-volunteer staff.
• ABBA House, Sanctuary for Migrants and Families – This is the GoFundMe page of Stan Allen, a volunteer at ABBA House, who also spoke at the documentary screening. All donations go directly to ABBA House.
• You can watch “Where Can We Live in Peace?” by renting it directly from the filmmaker’s website.