I am helping a migrant tonight.

Approaching home I saw her walking carrying a toddler looking very tired. I asked if she was okay and gave her cash. She spoke no English.

I smiled and drove away as she and her son walked between two cars parked on an auto repair shop lot and sat down on the ground.

I drove away unable to figure out how to help or if I should. I couldn’t stand the thought of going to my comfy home knowing they were out there especially with cloudy skies and a forecast of rain.

In the garage I sat a minute then went back. Using Google Translate and the few words of Spanish I remember I managed to ask where was ‘casa’ thinking maybe I could drop her off. No casa. I asked if she wanted to go with me. She got in the car.

I immediately let them shower and put their dirty clothes in the wash and fixed a few burgers. Then she needed pampers so we went for them.

From Translate, she told me that her suitcase of belongings had been stolen two days earlier, and she had been robbed of the little money she had and hit in the head. She showed me an unstitched wound on her scalp that was healing.

I am thankful to be able to be of help to someone in these times. The language barrier makes it harder but I told her I would find “trabajo“ at home. My garage needs organizing and I need some weeds pulled. So tomorrow she can help out and I can pay her.

In the meanwhile, I’m going to be looking to see if any help is available though I doubt it. She is from Venezuela. I want to know more about her story and will hopefully find out more. They’re resting now.

I cannot change the troubling things that we’re witnessing. But just doing this gives me a small feeling of hope about the unity we so desperately need right now.