New documentary follows the journey of migrants to Seattle

A new documentary about migrants in Seattle is screening at the Seattle International Film Festival this weekend.

“All We Carry” chronicles a family escaping from Honduras. They end up being cared for by members of a Seattle synagogue. The film follows the journey of a young couple, Magdiel and Mirna, and their son Joshua, who are fleeing persecution from narcotraffickers.

The family traveled to Mexico, and in the spring of 2018, joined up with a migrant caravan, traveling across the country on foot, by bus, and by a cargo train that migrants call “The Beast.” Eventually, Magdiel, Mirna arrived at the U.S. border and asked for asylum.

After being separated and detained, they eventually reconnect in Seattle, where an extended family member lives. But there isn’t enough room for them there, so they needed to figure out what to do.

The International Rescue Committee put the word out to an interfaith network that a family was looking for a home. A synagogue in West Seattle made the announcement to their congregation, and one person said that they had an extra house, and they could live there for free.

RELATED: For these asylum-seekers, a Tukwila church offers temporary comfort and refuge

Members of the congregation not only provided them with a home, but also with child care. They shared holidays with them. The couple wasn’t allowed to get a work permit while waiting for their asylum decision, so the congregation set up a fund for them to receive money when Magdiel did odd jobs.

“All We Carry” offers a rare glimpse into the lives and journey of migrants seeking asylum and shows the ability of the human spirit to find hope against all odds. It also reminds us of the power of creating and developing human connection, and to embrace the little moments of joy we find in life whenever we can.

“All We Carry” will be screening at the Seattle International Film Festival Saturday May 18th and Sunday May 19th, and Director Cady Voge will be doing a Q&A with the audience following each screening.