Institute for G.O.D. Chapel Hosts Immigration Panel

By Brett Madron

This week the Institute for G.O.D. weekly chapel held a panel discussion on immigration. The panelists, all foreign-born, consisted of John Nyago from Uganda, Marco Arroyo from Mexico, Rafael Reyes from Mexico, and Lavinia Becker from El Salvador. 

The discussion was facilitated by Institute chaplain Chris Jones. He began by asking the panelists to reflect on their initial expectations of what life would be like in the United States compared to what they observed after living here for a period of time. 

Weekly Institute chapels include both biblical sermons and relevant topics of awareness. This chapel was one in a broader series on topics of diversity and race.

Rafael reflected, “I came here at 16 years old and had to go to high school. I remember being shocked that people in school were wearing pajamas.”

Rafael’s culture takes school very seriously and reflects it in their dress. Being well-groomed and dressed was necessary for Rafa to represent well, something that wasn’t required for his American peers. This was the beginning of what for him felt like an exhausting process of trying to exceed expectations.

“As immigrants, we have to play a role.  We have to speak better, we have to improve our skills at everything – writing, talking, at any job -- we have to be better. It’s draining; it’s a constant battle.  You are not allowed to be yourself, because if you are, you lose.”

From left: Rafael Reyes, Lavinia Becker, John Nyago

Lily McDaniel, a sophomore, says she would love to hear from the panel again. “Because I’m white and from the south, I want to keep myself in check regarding racism. Until I moved here and started learning the Bible, I didn’t know how much racism I grew up in. I didn't know how much is in me --though I didn’t consciously make that decision.”

The panelists were asked what common scenarios they face that make them uncomfortable that natural-born American citizens might not think about. Their answers focused on the theme of always being on alert. 

Lavinia reflected on a moment when she was at the grocery store with her native-born husband who opened up a bottle of water from their cart and drank part of it before getting to the register.  “I’m like, Kyle, what are you doing? They are going to think we are stealing that.” Kyle shrugged it off without a worry. 

She also noted, “In professional settings, I am aware that I am brown, that I’m a woman, and that I have an accent.  When I have any kind of meeting, I have to put my hair up and gel it. I have to wear nicer clothes than other people. I have to try harder.”

Three out of the four panelists were not given a hospitable welcome when they arrived in the States. John Nyago had a different story. His first American home was at the Institute for G.O.D., and the G.O.D. community who was prepared for his arrival.  “I remember living in an apartment” [with Institute students]. “Mitchell Buchanan walked me around the apartment and showed me things. ‘This is a trash can. This is where the bag goes when it is full. This is where bags are if you need to replace them.’ And it might sound like it, but he wasn’t condescending. These were all very practical things for a person from a country like mine to hear. In Uganda, trash is in a lot of places, but it is never in the house.”

Freshman Liv Lasater describe the panelists, including John Nyago (pictured above), as some of the most selfless, hard-working people that she knows. She says her eyes were opened to situations she wouldn’t think twice about because she was born here.”

“Part of being hospitable is empowering people with what they need to know and how those things function in a new environment,” John commented further. In the case of Mitchell, an Institute student who had gone on internships and immersions in John’s hom“Part of being hospitable is empowering people with what they need to know and how those things function in a new environment,” John commented further. In the case of Mitchell, an Institute student who had gone on internships and immersions in John’s home country, he was able to determine what differences would await his new roommate, and how to help. Opening students’ eyes to the level of discrimination that their peers, faculty, and neighbors face on a daily basis was an important part of this chapel, and several others in the queue for the coming months. If white students remain unaware of the culture of racism and hostility towards immigrants they are immersed in, they will not be able to fulfill Jesus’ commands to love their neighbor, nor Paul’s proclamation that in Christ we are “one new humanity.” 

In discussing some of the ongoing issues that immigrants face, Marco noted the overwhelming barrier of language.

“A lot of my friends came from the rural areas of Mexico and had a very poor education. Some of the young people only spoke their regional dialect. So they weren’t only dealing with the challenge of learning English, but even having to learn Spanish.”

Marco also spoke of the general prejudice that exists for people of color and particularly those who have an accent, “As soon as many people see your skin or hear your voice, they close their eyes to you. You have to be loud but not angry, otherwise you are a ghost to them.”

Institute Chaplain Chris Jones facilitated the panel. A graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, Chris has engaged in ministry in Atlanta and Nashville for over a decade. He's excited about his role at the Institute, and the blend of faith and practice in a community setting.

John labeled this unfortunate reality of being guilty of association. “Guilt of association is very real, when we are suspected [of doing something wrong] just because of our color. How many shopkeepers are looking at me wondering if this black man is going to steal something?” They all have experiences of being followed in stores. 

When asked if this kind of racism made them angry, Lavinia responded affirmatively but said that you can’t show anger, or even passion or volume, otherwise you run the risk of being misunderstood.

Freshman Isaiah Aaseby said the panel was very eye-opening. He didn’t know that people he knows and respects could feel so discriminated against just for doing normal, everyday things like shopping or driving or speaking. 

Senior Max Alvarez said he thought the chapel advanced a necessary conversation. “Even as a person of color being born here, I gained perspective. I understand what it's like to be looked at differently, but being born here and having no accent has maybe allowed me to be more confident.” 

Institute Director of Student Life Jen Nyago understands the benefit of venues like a chapel for encouraging dialogue on important topics like cultural awareness, classism, racism and other ideologies that can remain tacit unless challenged. She says: 

“Our students long to see this world won over by the love of Jesus. The Lord is transforming their lives as they learn God’s word. Their education is empowering them to serve both here and abroad with a kind of potency sourced only in the Spirit of God. Because of the significance of what they want to do for the Lord, understanding the dominant social issues of our day--both in our society, in their own developing narratives, and according to God’s word--is paramount. The short of it is, racism is real and it can control anyone who hasn’t come toe-to-toe to evaluate where it exists in their lives. For people, like these students, who love the Lord, when they hear from panels like this, empathy is enacted and it is one more step in the right direction of tearing down strongholds that are ripping our society and God’s humanity apart. Our students want to serve people all over the world who are very different than them. The more they’ve wrestled with what these differences are, how they should be understood and most importantly how the Lord can use them, the more effective they’ll be in their service.”