It is a Christmas tale as old as the Bible.
During a cold snap in Denver last December, Pastor Eddy Hopkins responded to an urgent call from Larimer County leaders. They told him Denver was overwhelmed with migrants who鈥檇 recently arrived in the city from the U.S. southern border. They asked if he could help. The pastor sprang into action and in Fort Collins became a shelter for 16 migrants over the holidays.
Pastor Eddy said the experience was 鈥渁bsolutely wonderful.鈥� The people he offered temporary shelter to 鈥渂rought a great deal of joy to us.鈥�
Still, it was a big undertaking.
鈥淲e were wanting to provide the best space that we could,鈥� the pastor said. 鈥淎nd so we spent a lot of time trying to figure out food, trying to figure out personal needs and and how people could be safe and clothed and all that kind of stuff.鈥�
People from Latin American countries and other nations facing turmoil continue to arrive in Colorado. It鈥檚 an especially tough time for them to make that journey 鈥� the weather is unforgiving and the holidays are in full swing. In Larimer County, leaders argue that logistics have prevented them from doing more when it comes to sheltering the influx of migrants. But Pastor Eddy is starting to make plans for the people who do end up near his doorstep. In The NoCo鈥檚 Erin O鈥橳oole visited him at his church to learn more.
