As churches in the United States continue their efforts to engage in Latino ministry, we often forget to reflect on the psychological aspect of the immigrant experience. Many of us wish that our brothers in Christ who arrive in this country would learn the laws and social and cultural norms of this new nation, but the reality is different: the newly arrived immigrant suffers a cultural shock that takes years to overcome. We are talking about an experience that transforms our essence as human beings through what is lived during the journey from our country of origin.
On one hand, we have those privileged immigrants who are lucky or have the money to obtain a visa, travel to this country, and stay to live, who most of the time have family or friends who lend them a hand. On the other hand, there are those who pawn everything they have with moneylenders to pay the “coyote” to help them cross the necessary borders to reach their final destination. But there is also another group that has nothing and risks traveling alone or in a caravan to seek asylum or cross the border by any means possible, as they have nothing waiting for them in their place of origin except crime, violence, and lack of work to eat.
All of them, without exception, suffer from the trauma caused by immigration and the cultural shock that, after the “honeymoon” with family and friends or the dazzlement of the big city with its lights, buildings, and highways, they succumb to a period of depression, anxiety, and fear that characterizes our immigrant communities and that no one stops to evaluate. This is a complex issue that would take several pages to explain, but I urge all those communities that want to do Latino-Hispano-Latino ministry to listen and provide pastoral care to this vulnerable community that may be just processing the trauma caused by immigration.
The concept of working with Latinos because they are our neighbors is very exciting for everyone because we see a way to share the gospel. But be careful not to repeat the mistakes of our ancestors by trying to evangelize a community that needs love, support, and acceptance, not so much the Bible because they already have their faith. Let’s be better Christians and offer our unconditional hand to a people who are still struggling to adapt to the reality of the United States.