Refugee: a person fleeing their homeland on fear of persecution due to their race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion

Peruvian family received political asylum after a 3-year court battle.
o Peruvian family received political asylum after a three year court battle.
After a long, challenging three year struggle through three court appeals a Peruvian family of five received political asylum on July 23rd, 2007. Since they have gained asylum a tremendous weight has been lifted as the family is no longer living in fear of their paperwork failing. The oldest son is now able to apply for financial aid and scholarships in order to finish college and the younger girls are able to begin looking into college and jobs.

11 year old Colombian boy welcomed by Ebenezer community
o A women and son escaped the Guerrillas of Colombia seeking refuge in the plentiful United States. According to U.S. immigration policy, after filing the proper paperwork even political refugees are sometimes required to return to their country of origin until they are approved for asylum. This means taking the risk of returning to a place of danger where their lives are in jeopardy.
Unsure of their outcome the woman and son returned to Colombia to wait for the U.S. to determine their future. The eleven-year-old son was granted permanent residency and required to move to the U.S. within a specific time period or that privilege would be lost. The mother is still awaiting her case’s outcome in Colombia while the young boy has come alone to Texas. Members of la Iglesia Ebenezer are caring for him.
This young child shows remarkable strength, maturity and faith as he lives far away from his home and mother, with hope that she will be able to one day return to the U.S. Members of the faith community at la Iglesia Ebenezer have shown the young boy the true meaning of a church family by taking him in as their own. He is now attending school and learning English very quickly. Although this young boy is facing tremendous odds, he remains positive always carrying a smile and wonderful spirit.