Oklahoma Missionary Wants To Provide Hope To Those In Third-World Countries

The government says the majority of immigrant children coming to the United States are running away from the rampant violence in their home countries.

Few know this better than the Oklahoma missionaries who pour out their hearts in that part of the world. One Tulsa woman has seen that third-world danger firsthand and shared her story with News On 6.

The mountainous views of Honduras are undeniably breathtaking, and absolutely deceiving. The deplorable conditions were Kimber Cheney's first impressions of the country; no running water and streets filled with trash and sewage.

“It was a big culture shock,” the missionary said.

Cheney made her first trip Honduras last summer for a 90 day mission trip to help start up an orphanage in one of the poorest parts of the country. She said she was quickly given a machete for protection.

“The court systems, the police, it's a very corrupt society,” Cheney said.

It's also a society where, Cheney said, people know no different and have been beaten down their whole lives.

“They don't feel like they can rise above and become anything,” she said.

The hope for a better life, coupled with the fear of corruption and violence, are forcing families to make desperate decisions.

They're sending their children, alone, on a journey to the United States; a trip that could take up to two years and could cost their lives.

“Just imagine letting go of your child and you don't know if they're gonna survive, if their gonna be shot or they're gonna be raped on this journey and never make it, or they're going to be put in sex trafficking, which happens a lot of times,” Cheney said.

“And yet they pay that price so they can try and have a chance at a life, the life that we take for granted,” said Deacon Kevin Sartorius with Catholic Charities of Tulsa.

Sartorius said illegal immigration is not a new problem, but rather an issue that's recently seen a lot of national attention.

Each year Catholic Charities of Tulsa helps hundreds of immigrants in Green Country with legal needs.

“We recognize that every person, not matter what has happened to them, or who they are, has dignity and needs the love of God,” he said.

Cheney said her goal as a missionary is to try to bring hope to the people of Honduras so they don't feel like they have to flee to the United States.

“If they would look into supporting the people that are there that are really trying to help, that are trying to reverse the corruption and that are trying to bring hope to these people where they can rise above,” Cheney said.

As for the children being housed at Ft. Sill, Sartorius said the Oklahoma City chapter of Catholic Charities is there translating the legal jargon for the children and acting as their attorney.

The organization is in need volunteers, it’s looking for bi-lingual attorneys, translators, case managers and administrative support staff. You can find out how to help, here.