Amid the recent federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement surge in Minnesota, USA, our congregation took on a mission to help feed immigrants who were afraid to leave their homes, concerned about being detained or deported.
A congregant, Mandy Gault, who works for a care center that employs numerous immigrants, challenged us to bring them food. The congregation said yes.
So early one Sunday morning, before church, I went to Aldi grocery store to make my purchases. I was reluctant to shop there. It wasn’t as convenient or customer-friendly as my favorite stores. I might be a shopping snob!
But there I was, hurriedly gathering eggs, milk, and bags of fruit.
I was struggling to lift a box with six half-gallons of milk from the cooler into my cart. A woman noticed and said, “Would you like some help?”
It must have shown that I had underestimated the energy and strength it would take to buy bulk quantities of food. I was grateful for the helping hand. As we loaded my cart, I shared with her our congregational mission to help feed the traumatized families and the plight they were facing.
This woman I didn’t even know was an angel. God knew I needed help.
After we filled the cart, I went to check out. When I was leaving the store, the woman reappeared, asking if I would like her help in loading the groceries into my car. By this time, I might have been dreading the thought of lifting all those heavy items, and perhaps I sighed in relief. Under my breath, I might have said, “Thank you, God.”
To the stranger I didn’t know, I replied, “That would be wonderful!” She followed me to the car, and we placed the groceries in the back seat. After everything was loaded, I turned to thank her, and she handed me a wad of bills—$100!
“Here,” she said, “I want to help, too!” God’s Spirit surged through my body, and with tears in my eyes, I thanked her. This woman I didn’t even know was an angel. God knew I needed help. God had sent her, and she had responded in love.
I had been blessed, and so had the immigrants.
That morning in church I shared this story. Others came forward who hadn’t had the opportunity to buy food; they also wanted to help, offering even more cash for groceries. For several weeks, we brought food each Sunday, and after worship the congregation assembled the products in bags.
God blessed our effort.