Posted below are the English versions of the stories that ran in Spanish in the Oct. 18, 2017, edition of El Periódico.
Iglesia Hispana remodeling Lynden house Pastor Ivan Montenegro has a vision for multiplying growth LYNDEN — On Saturday, Oct. 7, a varied crew of volunteers was helping to transform a former funeral home site into the lively base of operations for the rapidly growing Iglesia Hispana movement. Remodel work continues at the 1907 Front St. building, with impacts far beyond as well. Pastor and missionary Ivan Montenegro is in awe of what has happened in just the few years he has devoted himself to being a full-time missionary based in Lynden. He was previously trying to balance being an attorney across the border in British Columbia. “I am so joyful for this because Lynden is my life now and I see so many churches coming together. I see the gospel happening and I see the unity. Unity is what this is all about,” said pastor Montenegro. About a dozen church groups sent workers and funds in a spirit of encouragement and service on that Saturday, said Steve Hortegas, who was involved and used to work for the funeral home. The extensive remodel will continue, with people coming by to help out as they can. New restrooms are needed, as well as upgrades of roof, ceiling, floor and exterior siding to make the house into a worship center. It will not be luxurious, just functional, Montenegro said. Iglesia Hispana is made up mostly of people who are manual laborers working long hours themselves. “Church for us is a community center. (It) is the only thing beside work, a gathering place,” he said. This all began in 2016 when previous property owner Moles Farewell Tributes reduced the price for a sale. Then a church in Taiwan sent $100,000, and another in Texas sent $100,000 to help with materials for the remodel. “God is moving, because my budget is zero,” Montenegro said. A documentary film crew is capturing all this activity and momentum as a story
titled “From Death to Life.” Pastor Ivan is from a small village in El Salvador where he was powerfully influenced by an American missionary who came there. He learned English and went on to training in law and to became a pastor. He settled in Lynden about eight years ago. Montenegro’s vision is to offer leadership training that spawns other churches — which is already happening. While Lynden is being remodeled, services are held at a sister church in Nooksack, a former Methodist congregation that had dwindled to only a few members. The same scenario is playing out in Maple Falls and Bellingham — churches in decline are just letting Iglesia Hispana take over and use a building. Other church plants are in Sedro-Woolley and Yakima, in Surrey, British Columbia, and Tecate, Mexico. For further details or to volunteer, contact pastor Ivan Montenegro at 360-3983563.
Skagit Valley College DREAMers take a stand Various events shine a light on immigrants’ lives as DACA program ends MOUNT VERNON — Students at Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon are standing in support of immigrants affected by the recently rescinded Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The rollback of the legislation enacted by President Obama in 2012 impacts those who were previously protected from deportation. Children brought to the U.S. illegally as minors who qualified under the program will lose their legal documentation and potentially the ability to work or obtain a higher education. There are an estimated 800,000 DACA recipients nationally and more than 17,500 in Washington. Many of the “Dreamers” are students in colleges and universities. Since President Trump announced on on Sept. 5 he would end DACA, Skagit County residents have rallied behind those who would lose their two-year temporary protections. Assistance to persons renewing their DACA paper work was spearheaded by the Skagit Valley College DREAMers Club and supported by the Skagit Valley Community radio (KSVR).
Those currently covered under DACA will be protected until their permits expire, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said. Those who carry DACA protections expiring before March 5 were given a final chance of renewal by Oct. 5. Those who hold documentation that ends after March 5 will fall back into unauthorized status after their protections expire. Nationwide, a call has for immigration reform has been renewed, although currently no plan is in place for “Dreamers” moving forward. On Oct. 8 the Trump administration released its list of priorities for any legislative deal in Congress on DACA. The president calls for funding and completing construction of a southern border wall, hiring 10,000 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and 300 federal prosecutors, and returning unaccompanied alien children and family units to their birth country. Trump also wants implementation of E-Verify, an internet-based program that compares employee paperwork to records of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration. Juan Arreguin, the Latino programs coordinator for KSVR radio, is one of many taking a stand against the program’s end. Although Arreguin is a U.S. resident and does not come under DACA, he is an immigrant from Mexico. “There is a stereotype of immigrants coming from other places and taking advantage of what we have here,” Arreguin said. “Immigrants are also volunteers that sacrifice for others. We see that. Maybe others don’t.” Arreguin spoke of efforts by the SVC DREAMers club and KSVR, including an Oct. 4 event focusing on the movement of “I stand with immigrants,” also a phrase that is plastered across the T-shirts of those in these groups. “We need to be strong together and need to support these people who are doing good,” Arreguin said. “Now they’re in fear.” Other events planned for November will show immigrants as a positive presence in their community — volunteering at food banks or with others who need help — hopefully helping to counter stereotypes held by some, Arreguin said. “Immigrants aren’t just leaching off of what’s out there,” he said. “They work with children. They work at hospitals. They do a lot of things and that’s what we want to remind people of.” Arreguin wants people to learn the stories of others. “You can find a story that you either relate to or you see has impacted your communities or the world, and it really changes your perspectives of things,” Arreguin said. “Once you find that
one story, it can change your life. Look out for those stories.” To get involved, call Juan Arreguin at 360-416-7710 or email him at Juan@ksvr.org.
NABC offers help to Latino farmers MOUNT VERNON — The Northwest Agriculture Business Center has set its 2017-18 workshops and classes for farmers and those interested in starting a farm. And those served include Latino farmers. Here are two classes: • Economic Opportunities for Latino Farmers, from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28, Skagit County Fairgrounds. Come listen and learn directly from two amazing Minnesota Latino cooperatives. This workshop will also feature local business development assistance providers including NABC, Community Action of Skagit County, Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County, Viva Farms and WSU Skagit Extension. Free. • Access to Capital: Veterans, Minorities, Beginning Farmers, from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Seafarers Memorial Park in Anacortes. NABC invites farm and food-related business to an all-day event to meet face-to-face with representatives of lending programs and financial institutions that provide loans from less than $5,000 to more than $1 million. Cost: $25. NABC serves the five northwest counties of Washington State. For the full list of offerings coming up, go to the website at http://www.agbizcenter.org/business-services/classes-and-workshops. The phone number is 360-336-3727.
Día de los Muertos coming up at WCC BELLINGHAM — Día de los Muertos is right around the corner, and Whatcom Community College’s Latinx Leadership Club will celebrate in style. Scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 1, in Whatcom’s Syre Auditorium, located at 235 W Kellogg Rd. in Bellingham, the celebration will feature food supplied by local Mexican restaurants and some made by club members’ families. Mariachi performances will also take place, along with Dance Azteca and Baile Folklorico. “We have a presentation made by a club member to inform the audience what
and how el Día De Los Muertos is celebrated in Mexico,” club president Edgar Neri said. “Also, throughout the event we have face painting and an activity table for kids and an altar where people can bring objects and pictures to honor loved ones that have passed.” This year, the club is accepting donations to support members of the club in case of emergency. Food donations will go to WCC students in need. “For us it means a day where we can focus and remember the loved ones that have passed,” Neri said.