We wanted to know and to share the true experience of the temporary foreign workers here in Canada during the pandemic. The workers are from Guatemala and Mexico and work here in Delta, BC. We were under pandemic restrictions up until July 2021. At that time they loosened enough that we were able to host an outdoor soccer event for every sunday afternoon, with spectators. This represented the first time we could gather in a large group and that the workers could interact with each other. It became a day many looked forward to and offered a sense of excitement and normality once again. We opened up other events since then including a weekly in-person Bible study and English classes. These are the words from several workers, shared with their permission and translated to English. 

Walter Solis, Guatemala, Windset Farm
 
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
 A: Really being away from home in this pandemic season was the most difficult experience of my life. Since I miss my family so much. I spend a lot of time worrying about my mother and especially that she is very ill. Well, the pandemic is very difficult and not being able to leave the country is very hard all this but grateful and with my faith in God.
 
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
A: Second, I thank God for you David and Kim for this beautiful LWM ministry. God put them to be of great support for us, to have the time for us and especially in this year of so many needs and circumstances that were not expected, but God put them at the right time in my life. Being able to have this soccer tournament helped us to get rid of that stress that we had accumulated, to get out of the routine and we could not wait for the next weekend to arrive to be able to enjoy the sport that we love so much in our countries in Central America.
 
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
A: I would like to learn English. Because when we go out to do our shopping every week, we realize how necessary English is. I really prayed to God very much for this opportunity to come to work in Canada and now I am very motivated by this opportunity to learn through this program in your ministry. Thank God because through this opportunity I was able to buy my land and also be able to start building a house for my family. But I would also like to continue meeting more local people, learn more about this culture and history.

Jorge Osorio, Guatemala, Windset Farm
 
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
A: When the pandemic started, I only thought the worst and became very scared. I was more affected when they started putting restrictions inside and outside the greenhouse. But I was even more affected when they announced that for certain reasons due to the pandemic, we would not be able to leave the country to visit our families. I want to be honest but as a man of the house I felt that everything came together in a very short time and my wife found in my country Guatemala, a woman of Faith, she was giving me words of encouragement and telling me that God is with us and that He strengthens us. I heard from my family that at some point the pandemic was out of control and that the government was forced to place restrictions on being out of their homes at specific times. The hardest part for my family is that they couldn't do much with only a few hours available and especially go to church. But my wife had the initiative to prepare a small altar at home and as a family to dedicate time to God every day. My family shared with me that they were shocked to see how well working people in Guatemala were. Some sold clothes or shoes, all looking for a way to get ahead. Some sold vegetables, others hand gel, Masks and more.
 
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
A: I can positively say that thank God that I found that faith that I had lost and the confidence in myself. This pandemic at a certain point made me stronger and now I have a mindset to serve God with all my heart and never doubt Him.
 
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I would like to learn 50 oh 60% English. And if God allows, I would like to bring my family to Canada one day.
 

Luis Loza, Mexico, Village Farm
 
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel? 
A: The most difficult part was that I could not travel to see my family in Mexico, until a solution was found against covid-19 as well as adapting to a model a little uncomfortable with respect to using the mask, keeping the distance with people and not even meeting to carry out the activities that we like the most.
 
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
What my impact this year 2021 was that despite the pandemic, the countries were able to face the pandemic with struggle and effort, to be able to help humanity and thank God, it maintains us. But I was very surprised by the very good medical system in Canada and how they gave priority over the vaccine to us as greenhouse workers.
 
A3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
With the opportunity that I have to work here in a different country with different cultures and languages, I would like to learn the language and be able to apply it in my life, I would like to know its cultures and places that the beautiful country of Canada represents.

Edwing Obregon, Guatemala, Millennium
 
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
The most difficult part of the pandemic for me was that I could not go anywhere for a long time, during that time of the pandemic I tested positive, but I did not feel symptoms, thank God my recovery was quick.
 
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?
What positively impacted me was meeting a lot of generous people specifically at that time of the pandemic, the environment in them and various other things.
 
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?
I would like to know more places in Canada as time and work allow, I would like to learn the new language for me, English. Many of us as greenhouse workers wish for that opportunity but sometimes it is difficult with work schedules.

Henry Noriega, Guatemala, Rubicon
 
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
For me during the pandemic the most difficult part was the restrictions, practically my group and I felt enclosed and especially that the greenhouse in which we are located is not very easy to access by bus, store or shopping center. for shopping etc.
 
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?  
 Something that impacted me during this 2021 pandemic was, that despite so many restrictions and possible new ones, the LWM program with Jon and Kim extended the invitation to many workers like us here at Rubicon and that made us feel valued in that they will take us into account for the activities they planned even if it is online. Later, with less restrictions, we were able to enjoy such an excellent soccer championship and we are so grateful for the people who took the time to go every week to pick up our soccer team to participate. That football tournament of blessing for us. But also, my impact having seen so many natural disasters something that I had never experienced in my life
 
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?  
I would like to meet more people from Canada and explore new places or at least have the opportunity to see new horizons.

Otto Ochoa, Guatemala, Westcoast
 
Q1. What was the hardest part of the restrictions due to the pandemic? How did you feel?
For me it was difficult because this pandemic affected my family in a strong way, but blessed God they recovered and today I can say that God worked once more in the life of my family. And the sad thing was that several friends and neighbors in Guatemala lost their lives, and here I can say that the confinement was difficult and because of that the stress.
 
Q2. What impacted you positively during the last year?   
I was positively shocked that despite so much news, restrictions and more. The LWM ministry did not stop giving us that support that we needed from the beginning in the online support to one of the biggest events we have experienced as workers, such an excellent and well-organized soccer championship. What a blessing it was for my life personally and I know that many of my colleagues express the same and we also connected on social networks with our families to share happy and positive moments like these.
 
Q3. While working in Canada what are you most looking forward to?   
I had the opportunity to travel to Canada since 2016 and I am grateful to God for this opportunity, but I want to share with you that every season I was very eager and excited to visit new places, meet new people and learn a lot from it. culture. Today I can say that in these years I have had the opportunity and I have learned a lot, especially a little English, which I thought I would never have that opportunity.

David, one of the greenhouse workers here in Ladner, grew up on the shore of the Motagua river near the town of Los Amates in the department of Izabal, Guatemala. It was a small agriculture community and like many in Guatemala, they work together to care for eachother. David’s parents were one of a few Christians in the area and they became well known for being generous and attentive to help.  ​

​David was raised learning stories of the Bible and watching his parents example. He claims that he does not remember much of his childhood.  But in 1998, at 8 years old, David experienced something that he will never forget; being hit by the second-deadliest hurricane to hit the coast of Central America, Hurricane Mitch. It caused massive flooding and destruction, destroying many homes and buildings in David’s small village, Aldea Chiriqui. He recalls the Motagua river rising and the water levels getting higher and higher quickly filling the streets and entering homes. An image he recalls is seeing their belonging floating a top the water.

That day the local pastor began knocking on doors to warn people to get out and to assess their conditions. As the water rose people scrambled for higher ground, in most cases that was the roof of their homes. There they were trapped with no food or water or a safe way of getting down. Whole families from the town were stuck there. Then David heard the rescue helicopter flying overhead. The crew were instructing everyone to prepare only the children as a first priority taking them to a nearby refuge center. David was one of the children taken from his parents arms into a helicopter not knowing if he would see them again.

​The refuge center was a stadium nearby and local villagers werr working together to take care of the kids. David was quickly collected by family friends on direction from his parents. It wasn't until 4 months later that David experienced the best moment of his life when he was reunited with his parents. Very tragically for some that special reunion did not come.

Hurricane Mitch killed over 11,000 people due to flooding and mudslides caused by the tremendous amount of rain it brought. Honduras was hardest hit. Following any disaster of this nature there are several other social impacts; school attendance decreases, diseases spreads, food production is diminished and malnutrition rates increase in places where the rate is already high. 

Now, in November 2020, hurricane Eta has once again unleashed destruction in Central America and the exact same area as back in 1998. David’s town once again was flooded and residents belongings floated away. David is here in Canada working and struggles with the news that his family did not have clean water or food for 5 days. There is little he is can do to help them so far away. He would like to send money home but right now there isn’t any infrastructure to support that.

As a wise pastor once taught, in the face of disaster look for the helpers. And we can see that through this story. David’s parents and pastors supporting their community, the rescue workers and family friends taking David in back in 1998.  And now in 2020 we want to share with you that some of our brothers in Christ, fellow greenhouse workers took it upon themselves to take an offering of money to support the workers whose families are directly affected by this disaster. We hope to connect those funds with missionaries providing relief in the area.

We just want to take these minutes to share with you this story and to ask that you pray for the lives of those affected near and afar. Also for God to restore homes, reunite families, provide necessities and especially for hope and faith that for many has been lost.​

​We thought we were writing this in the aftermath of one disaster but unfortunately as we speak another hurricane has hit Central America, Hurricane Iota. The route looks like it may hit a different area of Guatemala, the area where Franklin lives and is right now. But hit Nicaragua and Hondruas again, 2 hurricane in 2 weeks. David’s is one story and there are many more. Guatemala was not the worst hit in any of these storms so we ask for prayers for all the people affected throughout the Caribbean, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Belize and Mexico.

https://atalayar.com/en/content/desolation-guatemala-after-hurricane-eta

Here in BC, Canada, we were hit with our first case of COVID-19 in January. By March we received the stay-home order, 2 meter social distancing, only go out for essential items and self isolate if you are sick or with someone who is sick. Stores, then play grounds, then parks were shut down and we felt trapped. As for everyone, we felt a lot of anxiety especially since we didn’t know how long it would go on. Jon got laid off his part-time catering position but still we decided we wanted to make the best of this time, we had to be creative.

As our cases of COVID-19 decline and hope of the economy opening up, our neighbours to the south still struggle and even further south in Guatemala, cases are increasing along with restrictions. People quickly stopped being able to access or afford food and missionaries and aid organizations are busy trying to help as much as possible. There is a strict curfew with stories of arrests and fines for violators. I am sharing this to share how the Guatemalan migrant workers here are further affected. They see this news and hear from their families back home and it causes a lot of anxiety. Here they are continuing to work, safely, but a lot of their freedoms have been restricted. They are in a vulnerable living situation in that there are many workers in close proximity and work in the food industry. There have been a couple outbreaks in food facilities and amongst foreign workers and it has shut down the companies for a period. So the companies have to be careful. The government has also issue specific industry recommendations for safety, which are quite strict. 

The workers are not allowed to leave their property at all and some only to get food and that has been difficult since a lot of items are sold out by the end of the day. They are not allowed to go out for walks or bike rides, depending the company. Some are not allowed any visitors, including us for drop offs. Some have to wear masks at all times, not just during work. Some have had their vacations suspended, some have been in quarantine after returning from vacation and some are waiting the chance to still come to Canada.  The farms are like little bubbles and that breads more fear and anxiety. Normally we would be able to help by hosting social events, taking small groups to the local pool, or simply by visiting in person. We can’t do any of this. We try our best to do what we can but it is difficult. Thankfully we have had some great opportunities during these two months with the support of our church members and community members. Here are some highlights:
 
Bags for women
A group of women from the church prepared very nice bags for Easter season, for the Guatemalan women who work in Abbostford area. Through these bags they felt very blessed. The bags contained sweets, personal items and the special detail of this project was; that the women painted and decorated each of the bags.

​Food deliveries
Through the pandemic we have been blessed to deliver food for the workers from the Green houses from different locations. This is a very practical need that has risen due to the pandemic and we are grateful we were able to help in this way during this time. Is has been a blessing to have the means to do it but also it represents hope and connection, even if just a simple drop off.
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We have been receiving bread donations each week from a friend from church who doesn’t have a safe way to distribute for her program right now and so has shared with us. We deliver bins of bread to different groups each week and it has been well received and has even allowed us to make new connections are greenhouses that we haven’t been able to connect with regularly.

Bible group
Our Bible group continues every week, but because we can’t meet in person, we are using the Zoom program. We have noticed how the group has grown during this season. In the group everyone has the opportunity to share something personal from their heart or some situation that is happening in their personal or family lives. At the end of each group meeting we take time to pray for requests and for each other.

This has been a true blessing to us because we were able to include people that are not physically close to us. For example, my brother from Guatemala has been attending weekly and even some friends from the Children’s home where Jon’s grew up. This is one thing I hope does not change!

Masks project
Different church members have been asking us how they can support the ministry and how they can work on a project that is supportive of greenhouse workers for this season. Those questions have allowed us to explore and investigate what challenges and needs have arisen for Latino workers during this time that has affected different areas.

Among one of the needs, the need for masks was presented and it was very special to see how different women, groups and members began to sew masks for the workers. We have already distributed more than 200 masks in 3 different greenhouses, for different groups of migrant workers. When we have delivered these masks, we can see the expression of tremendous joy on their faces. The workers have expressed that these masks will not only be of support for this season of COVID-19 but for their future use in different work areas. The greenhouses have very strict rules as they are at a high risk of an outbreak due to their close living conditions so, although they wear company issued masks during work, they are relieved to have a cloth mask for when they have to be in the community. 

We are in a very strange time in our world, the situation with COVID-19 is changing hourly and we are trying our best to stay on top of what is happening in our province of British Columbia, Canada and community of Ladner. Our family is safe and able to remain at home together. Jon is not working in his catering job as this time so is home. However, this does not mean our ministry has slowed down at all. We thank God for using us in the little ways that we can during this time. 

Here's an update of what's been going on:
- On March 4, 2020 250 Guatemalan workers got laid off their job here in Ladner and Aldergrove, including the 20 women in Aldergrove that arrived just before Christmas. After a lot of confusion and scrambling on how they would get home, the company booked them a chartered flight scheduled to leave Wednesday, March 18, 2020.
-On Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Guatemala shut their border completely except for their own citizens with a mandatory quarantine. https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/323391/guatemala-borders-to-close-for-15-days-from-march-17-update-4
​- The flight home for the workers was canceled. The men will remain in the current dorms and same meal plan, thankfully. 
- Meanwhile, the 20 women in Aldergrove, also affected by the lay-offs received good news that an agency found them another placement to work here in Canada for the ones who wanted to remain. 13 will be moving from their current location to the new location in the next weeks. The remaining 7 want to return home but are forced to stay by the canceled flight. 
- Now that the men have more time here and no new foreign workers are allowed to come into Canada, there is more time to find them new placements. Jon is currently playing the middle man between a blueberry farm and the workers here in Delta. They worked hard to set up a virtual meeting that is taking place as we speak. 
-There is a lot of fear and most of the laid off workers were excited to see their families so having to stay is a challenge right now. Although it is the safest option, it is difficult for them now. We pray they find a way to maintain their health while here and find the right decision for them. New work or wait to go home.
- At another local farm workers arrived back after vacation in the midst of borders closing. They went into mandatory quarantine here. They are not allowed to shop for food. And their co-workers can't find food for them by the time they get to the stores in the evening. Jon dropped off a meal yesterday but the access was controlled, thankfully, so he just left it at a drop-off point. 
- We have another drop off to do today of suitcases to another farm.
- Between these major events, Jon has been talking to a lot of workers. They are stressed and finding it extra hard to be away from family. However, they found some time to play soccer in this nice spring weather.

How can you help us help them: 
- We still need suitcases for when it is time for them to go home. 
- We need backpacks now for the women, either for their carry-on or to take to work each day.
- We may need help find certain foods and supplies. If a specific need arises we will share on our facebook page.
- Please pray for these workers to stay healthy, most importantly not to catch COVID-19. They live and work in close quarters so it would spread so quickly if they can into contact. 
- Please pray for Guatemala, they have only 8 cases and fortunately have taken drastic steps to prevent the spread but they would be a worse position than us Canadians if it did. 

We thank everyone who has donated suitcases or asked about their well-being. 

* Lots has changed in the world (COVID-2020)since the writing of this article on March 8, 2020. For reference, we decided to still publish.
Since 2016 when Canada legalized marijuana 4 out of 8 local greenhouse farms converted from vegetable to growing marijuana. Over these years the farms have continued to employ foreign workers from Mexico and Guatemala. Most recently one farm started hiring women.

This week we heard devastating news affecting 250 of these workers from 2 communities, including the newly arrived women in Aldergrove, all are laid off and 2 farms shut down. This means that these workers supporting their families may not be able to. The company gave varying lengths of notice, but some are returning home as quickly as this week. Others have the opportunity to continue working for a month. Each is responsible for arranging their own flights home. Questions arise about if they will continue to have accommodations or meals provided, how will they get around, and how will they go home. They are left with the unknown about what options are available and if there is anyone who can help. We pray for each situation and each detail to be covered.
​
Thankfully there are a number of agencies whose mandate is to support new immigrants and migrant workers. They are currently running meetings and forums to speak to the workers about their options. The most favorable being that they can transfer their visas to another farm. The worst case being they would return to Guatemala and must re apply leaving them without income for an unknown length of time.
There are too many affected for any one agency to help but together we pray no one is missed.
Our role in this. We have recently connected with an agency in an unrelated topic but as it turns out they play a significant role in this situation. We also have a relationship with the 20 women workers and were able to connect these two groups. Gracias a Dios.

These women have had a rough time coming to Canada. They arrived only 3 months ago unprepared with clothing and necessities and to a house that was also unprepared for them. We, the church and community of Ladner, were able meet some of those needs and now continue a relationship of emotion support. These women almost all have children back home they are trying to support. You can imagine how they felt to hear the news that they now lost their opportunity. Since they are women they live separately from the majority of workers and are out of the loop on all the talks and support. They felt abandoned again and worried. Yesterday after meeting with the agency it gave them so much peace. There are no promises of new opportunities but there is a chance of a re-placement to other jobs. They will also be supported while here to ensure all their needs are met, counselling, translation, bus tickets, gift cards, and support. We thank God that he is working through so many people at this time.

We will let the agency do their thing but will continue to support by encouraging the women, continue our baking and English classes, and praying with them. We would like to collect at least 20 suitcases for them so they can pack their things. Any other needs they have we will share with you all. 

​Eliseo is from Mexico and works in Ladner at a local farm. This particular farm is one that we haven’t connected with as much due the difficulty getting personal contacts for permission. However, Eliseo has worked on the farm for 13 years or seasons and as far as he knows, he is the only Christian living there.

Eliseo grew up in a remote area of Mexico in a town with a high poverty rate. At a young age he was recruited by his father to work in the fields and to do other tasks. His father led him down a path of a drinking, stealing and crime. By 17 years old Eliseo would call himself an alcoholic and had missed his opportunity to attend school. A cousin cautioned him to not continue this path and invited him to church.

It was at this church that Eliseo discovered his natural talent for music as well as accepted Christ. He was able to earn a small living playing on the worship band and soon after married and expanded his family to include 3 children.

As the years passed Eliseo’s lack of education held him back from earning enough for his growing family and as any father desires, he wanted to give his kids more opportunity than he had growing up. He became aware of the Seasonal Workers program with Canada, a specific temporary workers program between Canada and Mexico. He applied for this program and he just barely made the age requirement but was accepted. For 13 years now he sacrificed time with his family to be able to provide for them. All three of his children are in university, Engineering, teaching and accounting. He is also building a house for him and his wife. As part of his program he is required to return to Mexico every year in October until January, so he only sees his family for 2 months a year.

During his time working here in Ladner he has felt isolated where their housing is on the farm. He has had little connection with the community. He recalls in his first years here Cedar Park church visited him and as a Christian himself it was memorable. However, it was 8 or 9 more years before someone would visit again.

Early in our ministry here, Jon had visited him and Eliseo recalls the impact he had. They spoke about music and Eliseo shared his gift with the group. Jon was able to teach him to read a few chords so that he could play more songs. Eventually there was an invitation to a Spanish Easter service held last spring. During that service Eliseo felt so joyful and hopeful to be connected with other Christians, to partake in the worship, and to be challenged to remember how Christ suffered on the’ journey to the cross’. He was so inspired to ignite his passion for music that he bought his own guitar and monitor to be able to practice anytime.

This past September he played for the other workers at the lawn bowling event and you can imagine how honoured he felt to be invited to play for the bilingual service at Cedar Park church in October.  He said he is sad that for all these years he missed opportunities in Canada to learn English or get involved in the community but he is so excited to be a part of Latino Workers Ministry and the community now.

He has already returned home to Mexico for this year but said he is excited to come back and get involved. We are securing storing his instruments for his return in early 2020. He was specifically surprised to learn about the Spanish class Jon teaches. Several workers have not had the opportunity to learn Spanish or English or even math, reading or writing so Jon teaches some of these basics. Eliseo could not believe that even at his “old” age he could still have this opportunity to learn.
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We believe that it is not just a coincidence that each worker was chosen to come here to work but that God orchestrated it. When our paths cross we see just a glimpse of what God is doing in the lives of these workers and we thank him for bring Eliseo and his gift of music to us.

 The weekly Bible study group of around 12 workers felt touched by one of the recent topics and felt led to put into action what they learned; showing love to others suffering. They thought about the homeless people they sometimes see in Vancouver and wondering how they could serve. Without prompting they pull out cash to start an offering to go towards a meal. But that was not enough, they also wanted to be the ones to serve that meal. 

A little time thinking on our end how we can make this work and with God weaving the story, placed in our mind, Freshwave Ministries. They are a ministry that runs out of our church kitchen to prepare a weekly meal of soup and sandwich that they serve to the less fortunate downtown. It's well organized serving out of a converted bus. It is loved by the people on the street who look forward to this particular weekly meal, after all they do serve more than a meal. They welcomed the offer of help and the wheels were set in motion. 

This week on Monday evening, 11 people who work here in the greenhouses making minimum wage and work 8 to 10 hours 6 days a week, joined the volunteers of Freshwave to serve the food, pack bags of groceries, hand out warm coats and have fellowship with the street people. 

I, Jon David and Erwin translated so the workers could interact and connect with people and they were well received. The workers came home feeling impacted by what they experienced. They were inspired to want to serve more and wanting to put their faith in action. 

I witnessed these workers, tired and wet from the rain, smiling and full of passion and joy. Everyone had a job and accepted willingly the task. The language barrier was not a barrier, even some street people spoke Spanish! I was reminded that it doesn't matter how big or how small, how much or little you have, or what your status is, you can share the love of Christ and impact others.

Thank you Freshwave for allowing us to join you and to have this experience.