Voices From The Border and Beyond

We have been blessed to work with partners in the US, Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador to facilitate a delegation of 15 women and men on a journey that crossed three international borders on order to hear the stories of communities and individuals who have been impacted by poverty, violence, and migration.  The below are two stories written by journalist Paul Seebeck, one of the participants of the delegation.

Patti was 6 years old when she first heard the sound of a gun-6 years old when she first saw a man killed. Later, when her father was taken away to be brutally tortured, she and her family knew it was time to escape. They came to the U.S. 

Rosa, already a mother, was older than Patti when she first crossed the U.S. border. Local authorities pulled her over in a traffic stop and threatened to take away her two small boys, ages 4 and 7. 

At the same time, Allison Harington, a Presbyterian pastor and mother, watches as families she knows and loves, families like Patti's and Rosa's, are torn apart by the immigration policies of her government. From her house window, she smiles as her kids play with their kids-until they're snatched away.  Click to read the rest of the story! 

Voices from the Border and Beyond Delegation on US/Mexico Border

We-a motley crew of 15 Presbyterians traveling on the Voices from the Border and Beyond seminar-are getting quite an education.

The Presbyterian Mission Agency organized the seminar as a means for us to learn about the crisis that is sending thousands of people from Central America to the U.S. for refuge. We're here to listen not only to the mission partners who care for the migrants but also to those who make the often-terrifying journey. Along the way, we're learning about the complex issues that shape the crisis. 

In Agua Prieta, at the Centro de Atención al Migrante Exodus (CAME), a migrant shelter that cares primarily for "guests" from Central America, we meet Miguelito. He'd come to cross the U.S. border after having already been deported once. Having seen how dangerous the trek has become, he's not sure now which direction he'll take, but calls our trip "migration in reverse, as we prepare to head south. "The only difference," he tells us, is that "no one is trying to kill you."  Click to read entire story!

Seeing Faith Through The Border

by James Martin, Young Adult Volunteer

Serving as Bi-national Intern 

James, kneeling on front row 3rd from right, surrounded by part of his "DouglaPrieta" community.

After living on this border in the communities of Douglas and Agua Prieta I think God has shown me a small taste of the beauty and love he has for this border. I was thinking about this when I saw one of the most beautiful sunsets in my life over the mountains just west of Agua Prieta. The Sonora desert is a great example of the beauty and sacredness of God's creation, but people and governments on both sides of the border have turned this beautiful creation into a nightmare and place of death for so many immigrants.

I have also seen the beauty of when communities and people meet across cultures and countries united by God's love, a border and care for their fellow human beings. However, like many places in this world this purpose and beauty can be distorted by drugs, lack of job opportunities, violence and poverty on the border.

The good news is that God has always been present here on this border working in the lives of broken and flawed people whether they are from Mexico or United States. And he will always be present on this border and desert working with us to create and preserve the beauty and love he has for this border.