The Gift of Showing Up
An Update on Suyapa from Alicia Obando
In October 2025, the asylum seeker that was living at our church was detained by ICE and sent to a facility in Missouri and then to Texas. In February she was ultimately sent back to her home country of Honduras. Since she was detained without notice, all of her belongings remained in her room at 2U.
After being quoted $833 to send her a box of her belongings through FedEx, I looked at the cost of a plane ticket instead. At less than $400 for a round trip ticket and a nice hotel room for $80 a night, it was decided that I would deliver her belongings to her in person. Two dozen generous 2U members stepped up to donate to the trip, which covered all expenses plus a little extra that was given to our Honduran friend, Suyapa.
Our reunion in Honduras on Sunday, May 10th was so joyful. We were both so happy to see each other again after 7 months of only communicating by phone or WhatsApp. I was able to give her a large suitcase full of her clothes, her laptop, a few cellphones and several gifts. We spend two nights together in a cute little boutique hotel on the outskirts of the major city of San Pedro Sula, where the airport was located. She enjoyed showing me her country and all it's natural beauty, especially on Monday when we spent the day at a beautiful national park.
The 48 hour visit was too short, but it was so wonderful and I can't wait to go back again someday soon. Thank you to all who have supported our work with Suyapa. Even though she ended up having to go back to Honduras, she now knows how much she is loved for who she truly is and she will continue to make efforts to better her life. She is like an 'adopted' daughter to me and will remain forever in my heart.
