The next morning they joined with the other clergy as they registered, sipped coffee, and waited for the beginning of the meeting. When they convened and Carla’s place on the agenda arrived, Al rose to introduce her.
“Carla Espinoza was in seminary with me. We lost touch over the years and I had the delight of becoming reacquainted with her yesterday. The highlight of our conversation was in recalling our experiences of God’s call to ministry and how our different calls were unique but also similar. Carla has come to ask you for support in her ministry among immigrants, but I’ve asked her to first share her experience of being called by God to her ministry.
As Carla related her story of being drawn to her ministry, she spoke of the compelling power of the gospel that had infused her meek chaplain with a powerful voice so many years ago on the campus of her college.
Then she told the story of arriving too late to save the mother and one of her children. People listened with growing intensity.
A minister from one of the larger churches rose to be recognized. “Your story of the dying mother is very touching, Ms Espinoza, but, the fact of the matter is, she shouldn’t have been there. She was breaking the law. We have laws for good reason.”
“I will be glad to respond to that,” said Carla, “but Al has taught me that I need to listen more, so I would like to hear what others of you have to say first.”
Many of the elders and clergy at the meeting rose to debate the issue before them. It was clear that there was a myriad of opinions and many truly wrestled with the tension between the compassion of their faith and the reality of their lives.
