The Presbytery of Central Nebraska
Ana Castaneda’s faith journey prepared her to serve as director of the welcome center.
The Welcome Center in Lexington has been serving the needs of a growing immigrant population since the 1990s. Its director, Ana Castaneda, tells her story.
“I was fifteen years old when my mother, my siblings, and I moved to El Paso, Texas, from Chihuahua, Mexico, in 1986. The move caused me distress because I did not understand why our mother would uproot us. Now, as an adult,
I understand. My mother knew that our future would be better in the United States.
“At first my life was very difficult. Everything was new: the language, customs, civilization. My school years were very traumatic. I did not understand the teachers’ instructions and, because I was unable to ask for help, the other students in the class did not assist me. At the end of each day I cried. I dropped out of school and then enrolled again. In the end, I did not graduate from high school.
“In 1994, I was married and living in California. One day I discovered a high school for adults. I became excited at the prospect of finally graduating. I was told that in six months I could earn a GED or in three years, a high school diploma. I realized six months was too short a time to improve my English and chose to earn my high school diploma. When I graduated in 1997, it was one of the greatest days in my life.
“In 2001, we moved to Lexington, Nebraska, and in 2005, I became director of El Centro de la Comunidad, the Welcome Center. Remembering those early years helps me understand the experiences of today’s immigrants. I feel honored to help the immigrants that come to the Welcome Center any way I can.”
The Presbytery of Central Nebraska has 41 congregations serving 5,895 members.
Presbytery Staff
Robert Houser, general presbyter
Angela Palmer, office manager
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Diane Dulaney, GAC
Nancy Lynn Dwyer, BOP
As we seek justice for a community that has changed so much may our eyes and hearts be opened to living out justice in our daily lives. May we see the opportunities rather than the inconvenience of welcoming the stranger or alien into our midst.In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Ps. 27, 147:12–20 Ps. 126, 102
Jer. 10:11–24
Rom. 5:12–21; John 8:21–32
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