An Open Letter to Our Amigas

Dear Amigas,

We have been watching, listening, praying, waiting on God, and are now ready to share a note with you in light of all that has occurred since the inauguration.

Many of you have reached out with questions, with tear-filled voice notes, with prayer requests, and more since the news began of executive orders, statements, and coming legislation. We want to say that we hear you, we are with you, and we are you.

The future of the immigrant in the United States is one that we are wrapped up in as daughters, sisters, mothers, tias, abuelas, cousins, amigas, and comadres. Our families, communities, fellow church members, the people we serve in local ministry and through our non-profits, include people who are at risk. While some online ministries and influencers choose silence or declare that neutrality is the holy option, it is not an option that is available to us nor is it one that we want. Because of our commitment to the ways of Jesus, and our proximity to those threatened, we will not shy away from discussing these issues, we cannot escape them.

We are responsible and accountable to what God called us to in this online casita we have created with you. In the first episode of our podcast, we shared that we believe that God is calling us to build an altar, not a platform. Platforms need to consider what is said on them in order to keep followers or stay relevant but altars are where sacrifices are willingly made to God. The three of us have agreed that the only thing we are afraid of right now, is disobedience to God.

We are choosing obedience to His call to welcome the immigrant, to care for the widow and the orphan, to stand in the gap like David, and to resist like Miriam.

The ways we will do that are to educate ourselves on developments, learn about the rights of the community, and share what we feel will be helpful. We will keep open lines of communication for prayer requests, we will rally our community when we become aware of monetary needs, and of course, continue to preach the gospel. We will use episodes of our podcast to share from scripture and study the word of God together because it is clear that there is a serious need for the continual pursuit of biblical literacy.

Latina, you are welcome here. Regardless of your status, of your first, second, or preferred language — this online casita was built for you. To be clear, your political affiliation does not qualify or disqualify you here. This is about familia.

Amigas, our mission has not changed. Bringing women together for conversations that disciple and connecting women to live vibrantly for Jesus, juntas (together), that is what we still seek to do.

Ours is a community where all women are welcome to learn and where Latinas lead. We celebrate who God created us to be and we never shy away from a deep conversation — no matter how difficult.

Con amor, 

Ariana, Ivette, and Lydia

Founders, @latinaslovingjesus