I Am Only A Foreigner

As many of you know, I drove to the border of Texas and Mexico to partner with an organization called Border Perspective. Their goal is to share the opportunity for people to learn about the border and the stories of the people have to share: the immigrant, the enforcement officer, and how we as a church are responding to the need.

Here is a breakdown of the places we went and the things that we did: Q&A with Border Patrol - Our group listened to stories of a day in the life of a Border Patrol agent and the differences between Border checkpoints. - He also shared how push-pull factors determine who is trying to cross the border and who isn’t. For example, recently many from Haiti are trying to immigrate because their country is embroiled in a civil war with gangs and Venezuela is in an economic and political crisis. - The U.S. legally accepts 1 million immigrants every year. - Before we left, we prayed for them.

Very thankful for the opportunity to learn more about Border Patrol and hearing their perspective.

Visited a migrant shelter in Reynosa - We met Pauline, a Dutch missionary, who has made her home there to serve the migrants as they wait for their interview at the Border. While we were there 116 migrants all from Haiti were living there. - Just like Ruth told Boaz “I am only a foreigner”, many migrants have their value tied up in that identity. But Pauline demonstrates the love of God by showing them the value they bring to their little community whether it’s as a cook or a guard.

View of the migrant shelter in Mexico

The view from the Mexican side of the Rio Grande. Many immigrants try to cross this deceptive-looking river.

Volunteered at a Catholic Charity Respite center in Texas - This center exists as a brief stop for immigrants before they board their bus to the city they are heading to. - I was able to dust off my broken Spanish with a woman from Venezuela. - I gave cold medicine to a man and provided diapers to a young mother. - I also took the time to pepper the director of the center, Carolina, with all kinds of questions surrounding the immigrants coming through.

For example, I noticed at the respite shelter many were wearing ankle monitors. The only association I have with an ankle monitor is if someone is under house arrest. Carolina explained that when immigrants are processed by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), they are given an ankle monitor to make sure they get to the city they need to go to. Once there, they set up an appointment with an official and it gets removed. Note: We were not allowed to take photos because of security reasons. Iglesia Misioneria Cristo Vive - We hosted a grocery and pair of shoes give-away to the local community. We would wash their feet, pray for them, give them a new pair of shoes, and a box of organized produce to take home. - We helped unloaded brand new chairs for the grand opening on the church building.

250 chairs were unloaded in record fashion from a trailer

A conglomeration of different churches participating in the grand opening of Iglesia Misionera Cristo Vive.

THOUGHTS I am very thankful I got the opportunity to serve and learn in such a hands on way. To actually see the border in person and to see God at work in such a beautiful and powerful way. Now I know how to be praying for the border, the immigrants, and Border Patrol in a more specific way. PRAYER - Continue to pray for the church, Pauline, Carolina, Border Patrol, immigrants, and all involved at the border. If this trip has taught me anything, nothing is as straightforward as it seems. SUPPORT What I need right now more than anything is people who will commit to giving monthly support. Whatever the amount the LORD lays on your heart, you can give here. Thank you!

HELPFUL DEFINITIONS Immigrant - A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country. Asylum Seeker - A person who has left their home country as a political refugee and is seeking asylum in another. Migrant - A person who moves from one place to another, especially in order to find work or better living conditions. Refugee - A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster. Undocumented - The term ‘undocumented immigrant’ refers to anyone residing in any given country without legal documentation. It includes people who entered the U.S. without inspection and proper permission from the government, and those who entered and have now stayed with a legal visa that is no longer valid.