The Hernandez Family is an active part of Condit Presbyterian Church. Frances is an elder, Sheryl grew up in this congregation and is now raising her children here. While the church has taken no official position on the politics of this situation, we love and cherish these people. We share this information in hopes that you will join Condit in praying for and helping this family. You can find out more at their website http://www.reunitefamily.org

The following is from an email they shared on January 5, 2008.

"We hope each of you had a wonderful holiday season. We just returned from 10 days in Mexico to see Gaspar. We brought Aidan back with us, as he had been with his dad since Thanksgiving. It always is heart-wrenching when we leave Gaspar. It is bad enough for us, but it’s devastating for him. Every time, we hope it’s the last time we have to leave him there. It seems like this year was the most depressing yet because we were so sure that he would be home by Christmas this year.

However, we have not given up hope, by any means. It will take a miracle for the green card denial to be reversed. We do not discount the occurrence of such a miracle.

In addition, in January, our attorney will apply for a Humanitarian Parole for Gaspar. As all paroles do, this one would allow him to come home instead of having to stay away. It would not be a green card and is good for only a year. He would then have to have it renewed every year, but he would be able to be home.

We have applied for this parole twice before and were turned down both times. We could tell from the comments the state department reviewers made about these applications that they probably didn’t even look at them. Now, the state department employees who were turning down so many applications have been replaced. We hope the new employees fairly evaluate the application. We have taken our time getting this application together. We hope to leave no stone unturned. We honestly feel that a fair evaluation of this application will allow Gaspar to come home.

However, too much hinges on this approval for us to assume the application will be looked at thoroughly and evaluated fairly. In addition to our effort, we need your help. Rather than for us to explain it here, please check out our website at

http://www.reunitefamily.org

You will see why we need you to see it and why we need you to send it to everyone in your address book.

This website was done by a good friend, Jeanne Haber. We think she has done an outstanding job on it. For those of you who have just heard about Gaspar and can’t put a face with his name, one page shows you pictures of him and his family. Another page tells you their story. A third page further attests to his character by quoting from the waiver letters people wrote on his behalf. And then, the fourth page tells you what you can do to help.

We know that we are somewhat victims of the current political climate. Our lawyer has stated to us more than once that she is having difficulty with all her Mexican and Latin American cases. However idealistic the following statement might be, political climate should not capriciously control the destiny of worthy individuals such as Gaspar.

Please do not feel that the effort of one person makes no difference. When added to the efforts of many other people, the effect can be phenomenal. Please look at the website now and take action right away. Don’t put it off until you “have more time.” The way it is set up, it does not have to take much time at all to help more than you will ever know. Thanks to all of you. Sheryl, Gaspar, Aidan, Bela, and Frances"