CHICAGO, IL (August 17, 2018) – A Nicaraguan man who has worked with Serve Globally to assist Covenant congregations doing mission trips in his country is considering whether to seek political asylum in the U.S., said Dale Lusk, international director of global engagement.
At least 317 people have been killed and more than 2,000 injured in clashes between the Nicaraguan government and anti-government protestors since April, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. An unknown number of people have been detained.
People are protesting the dictatorial rule and corruption in the administration of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, vice president Rosario Murillo. The violence broke out in the Western Hemisphere’s second-poorest nation on April 18 when people gathered in the capital city of Managua to protest planned cuts in pensions and social security.
Martin (last name withheld for security reasons) is unable to work due to the violence, which has forced the cancellation of mission trips. According to Religion News Service, numerous organizations have cancelled trips this summer in Nicaragua due to the violence.
Martin and his wife recently sent their teenage son to live in Chicago with his sister, a recent graduate of North Park University. Martin said they needed to get him out of the country because government forces had tried to kidnap him and use him to help fight against the opposition.
“They are also having to pay local gangs in Nicaragua $50 a week for ‘security,’” Lusk said.
The couple would be able to come to the country for six months on a visa they currently have. They are unsure what would happen if they wanted to stay beyond the six months and applied for asylum, which has been a politically contentious issue in the United States.
“They would need a church to help them with living expenses such as food and rent while they sorted out what to do,” Lusk said. Individuals and churches—whether in the Chicago area or elsewhere—interested in helping the family can email Lusk at dale.lusk@covchurch.org.
The family also is desperately in need of funds in Nicaragua, Lusk added. Serve Globally has been helping the family with money from a benevolence fund, but that money is running out. Anyone wanting to help can contribute to the Serve Globally International Benevolence Fund. Contributions can be made online, and donors should include Martin’s name in the memo field.
Checks can also be made out to the ECC with a note that it is for the Serve Globally International Benevolence Fund # 5003-2246-50-30 with Martin’s name in the memo field.
