Rest In Peace, Dearest Jorge - A Beloved Community has formed among the volunteers and migrants of the Migrant Ministry. In the almost three years since the Ministry began, volunteers of various ages, faith centers, and communities have come together with a common goal of welcoming and serving migrants. And many migrants themselves have joined the group, working alongside us to sort donations, distribute clothes, and help in many other ways. We have become very close and are truly blessed.

After receiving services at Centro San Edmundo, Guatemalan natives Jorge Borrayo and Hector Hernandez began volunteering last year, joining us regularly on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. They worked in the men’s clothing room, adding dignity to the “free store” by helping migrants select clothes that fit well and looked good on them. They became intimate members of our community.

Jorge and Hector were returning from a weekend job near Rockford on Sunday evening, July 20, when they were in a terrible car accident. Jorge was seriously injured and did not survive. He died peacefully in the Cook County Trauma ICU surrounded by Hector and his “Chicago family.” Arrangements are being made to ship his body back to Guatemala.

A small memorial altar has been set up in Centro San Edmundo for the volunteers to write messages and share memories of Jorge. A celebration of LIFE will be held later.

We mourn our beloved brother, Jorge Borrayo.

Our work would not be possible without the volunteers and your generous donations.

Please continue to pray for our beloved migrant brothers and sisters.