A couple of weeks ago, during homecoming weekend, I was blessed to meet with a Taylor alumni, Dawnielle. It was one of the best conversations of my life. It was what I needed to remind me why I’m at Taylor and why I’m writing my thesis. Dawnielle is one of the founding members of Case Chirilagua, which is a non-profit and Christian outreach that builds relationships with families in a Latino neighborhood in Virgina.
Here is some more information:
Who are they?
“Casa Chirilagua is a group of people who are 'learning together to love their neighbors as themselves' located in a Latino neighborhood in Alexandria, VA. We are a Christian faith-based not-for-profit outreach that seeks to develop relationships with families to see the Chirilagua neighborhood transformed by Christ.
We seek to see God’s Kingdom established in the Chirilagua community.
We are called to:
1) invest in long-term relationships
2) holistic ministry
3) local, community-based ministry
4) mentor neighborhood
5) affirm the vital role of the local church
6) develop church partnerships that unite the body of Christ in common outreach efforts" (Information taken from Casa Chirilagua website. For more information about the 6 key points, click here)
So what does “Chirilagua” mean?
"Chirilagua is a neighborhood in Alexandria, VA also known as Arlandria. However, if you talk to any of the mostly latino inhabitants, they proudly refer to their barrio as Chirilagua. When the Salvadoran civil war broke out in 1980, many had no choice but to leave their country and seek a new life. Many of those who came from Chirilagua, El Salvador settled in the Arlandria neighborhood of Alexandria, bringing a piece of their country with them and giving their new home a familiar name, 'Chirilagua'.” (Information take from the Casa Chirilagua website)
"Through divine providence, God arranged the circumstances for the lives of Emily, Julia, and Dawnielle to intersect through a conference and book talk near the end of 2006. They were drawn to one another through similar experiences in Latin America and a shared love for the Spanish language. They connected with people, books, magazines, websites, and other communities that helped to more clearly define the vision that God had begun to work in each of their hearts. There was a lot of uncertainty in the process and emotions ranged from excitement to fear. They grappled with moving, job changes, financial situations, approval of family and friends, etc., but they continued to meet regularly with like-minded people and filled their time with prayer, reflection, questioning, and talking with others who were further along the journey.
After eight months of meeting together, in July of 2007, the three young ladies took the plunge and moved into an apartment complex in the heart of Chirilagua, a latino immigrant community in Alexandria, VA. They were affirmed that God was working in the midst of their move, even down to the specific apartment strategically located in the center of activity and next to neighbors who would play a key role in their integration into the neighborhood community life. God’s sovereignty in that process, his leading and guidance each step of the way affirmed that they were exactly where they were supposed to be.
What started as 3 people moving into a neighborhood looking for ways to be the hands and feet of Christ on a daily basis, has now developed into an intentional community of 10 adults and 2 children, who choose to live in Chirilagua and engage the greater community through friendships, walks, meals, celebrations and life events.
Out of the growth of that intentional community and in response to identified needs in the neighborhood, Casa Chirilagua has developed into a not-for-profit ministry that reaches out to the community through Kids Club (an after school program), Mujeres de Virtud (a women’s ministry), and Chirilagua Connections (an access point to connect resources with needs).” (Story taken from Casa Chirilagua website)
To hear more of their stories, click here.
To learn more about their specific outreaches, click here.
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Drinking coffee and talking about the Latino culture with Dawnielle encouraged and motivated me in so many ways. As I work on my thesis tonight, I will be remembering Dawnielle and her stories.
“Si se puede!” was one of the last things she said to me.
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