Reflections on Immigration and the 4th of July

 Happy Fourth of July! May we appreciate the blessings of our country and the responsibilities we have as US citizens for ourselves and the rest of our world.

At first I thought it a bit ironic to be getting our temporary visas as volunteers in Chile on July 4, U.S. Independence Day.  Our preliminary paperwork was finally approved after 6 months of living here. We don't have to leave the country to renew visas as do volunteers in Russia, but there is still "red tape". Visas are good for one year from now. But when I saw the lines snaking around several blocks in the center of Santiago, with hundreds of people (maybe a even a thousand) ....men, women and children from other Latin American countries, though the overwhelming majority from Haiti...standing in the cold and rain, desperately trying to stay in Chile legally or illegally, I thought it very a propos to be having this experience today. More poignant than a parade or barbecue or pancake breakfast or fireworks, to remind me of the sacrifices my ancestors made centuries ago to make a better life for themselves and their families. More reminiscent of the inscription on the Statue of Liberty: "Give me your poor, your tired masses yearning to be free." 

Many arrived early (4+AM) and will not make it to the front of the line before it closes at 2 PM. They will have to come back tomorrow, or for several days.

We were lucky to have been driven almost to the door, guided through the door of the warm and clean building, as seniors to the front of the line (I felt guilty but grateful). Step #2 was to get registered today at the police station....but all the priority numbers had been given out for the day. Tomorrow we will return and hope to get a number, then do the last step #3 at another location.

 

Back at the temple, sitting in a peaceful temple session, I reflected on all this, knowing that the world is in crisis and great commotion; there so many refugees fleeing terrible situations, aware that their new destinations will be fraught with enormous challenges, but hoping they will have more opportunities to possibly find jobs, or be less subject to violence than the place they left. Chile is a small country and is feeling the burden, yet hopefully blessed in many ways by more diversity than in the past. Visas are required, but many come on limited tourist or student visas, and overstay, thus becoming illegal, just as in the rest of the world. In Chile they may live with 12 people in a small shack, but in most cases they have running water, though maybe no electricity or gas. Back at home, they had less. Families are not separated (if a parent is legal, the rest of the family can come).
I wonder what I will eat for lunch, many wonder IF they will eat lunch. I wonder what to wear or at what temperature to set the thermostat. Many wonder IF they will be able to keep their families from freezing. I wonder what book to pick up next, others wonder IF they can learn enough Spanish here to get even a menial job or IF their children can learn to read and catch up to their age group in a new country where education is expensive and the system complex.

The purpose of our temples is to unite families and to take on covenants of sacrifice and consecration to make the world a safe and wholesome place where we can raise our families, where we can progress in our attitudes and dedication to things of eternal value, that we can return honorably to live with God after this life. I constantly ask myself "how much am I, in my privileged and comfortable situation, willing to sacrifice to help others?"
A lovely older woman came into the temple yesterday, told me she had had heart surgery, been long in recovery, but with tears streaming down her face, said how grateful she felt to be able to come again to the temple, where she felt peace.

The Santiago Chile Temple was dedicated in 1983, 35 years ago, and is a sacred place for so many. We call it the Lord's House, as everything done inside is dedicated to the Lord and his work, that we can be better and happier people. It is very heartening to see young missionaries serving in the Santiago East Mission, who are willing and eager to dedicate themselves to sharing the "good news" of the Gospel with others.