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Building Relationships and Understanding Across Borders
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| Mennonite Peace and Justice Network praying with MRC volunteers outside of the Migrant Resource Center. |
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February 28, 2015
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28 de febrero, 2015
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In the first two months of 2015, Frontera de Cristo has been blessed to facilitate 12 delegations from churches, universities and seminaries from Presbyterian, Catholic, Mennonite, Lutheran, and Reformed backgrounds as well as two secular universities. 161 individuals have journeyed "outside their villages to cross national, cultural, religious, and political borders" and share a bit of life and ministry with us.
Asa, a twelve year old participant in the First Presbyterian Church Farmington, New Mexico delegation, shared: "Crossing the border has been a way in which Jesus has touched . . .seeing and talking with our sisters and brothers who are migrating face to face, seeing more clearly that they are human beings like you and me. Jesus does not want us to go back home and be the same as we were."
Each year through our mission delegation ministry, over 500 indiviudals from around 40 churches, seminaries, universities and leadership organizations join us for immersion experiences that provide opportunities to be touched by Jesus, to see more clearly, and to hear Jesus' call to not go back to be the same again.
We are grateful for your interest in and partnership with us! Please contact us if you would like information about bringing a delegation from your church, university or organization or check out our 2015 Mission Delegation Manual.
On behalf of your ministry on the border,
Jeni O'Callaghan Carmina Sanchez Monika Patience
President Secretary Treasurer
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Agua Para La Vida
Needs New Truck After Eleven Years of Life-saving Ministry
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After 11 years of service, 126,570 gallons of water delevered to water stations on the desert trails, 2,870 men, women and children encountered and provided care in the desert, our 3/4 diesel 4x4 truck needs to be retired. We need one new to us. Please help Agua Para La Vida and our partners at CRREDA continue this life giving service! Click here to view more pictures.
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Voice from the Border and Beyond
Paul Seebeck, a journalist in the Office of Communications of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, participated in the Voices of the Border and Beyond Delegation that we helped facilitate. He wrote a series of engaging articles that help shed light on the complexities of migration and the ways in which the church is responding in the US, Mexico, Guatemala and El Salvador. Please, perhaps as part of your Lenten discipline, take the time over the next week to read and pray through these articles that are linked below.
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Voices from the border and beyond
Along the U.S.-Mexico border, a Presbyterian congregation becomes home to women and children fleeing violence and poverty. 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 brut ally tortured, she and her family knew it was time to escape. They came to the U.S. Click here to read full article.
Desert pathways to a future uncertain
Complex issues inspire refugees' journeys-and reactions to them. This is the second article in the series "Voices from the border and beyond." 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. Click here to read full article.
Dreams and dangers
For many migrants, the lure of a better life means risking countless perils.In the Central American countries of Guatemala and El Salvador we - a group of 15 Presbyterians traveling on the Voices from the Border and Beyond seminar - are reminded of a profound truth: that one of the worst things that can happen to us as human beings is "to turn people into merchandise." Click here to read full article.
Two women, two borders, one cause
In witnessing the plight of thousands of Central American migrants seeking hope along dangerous paths, two women offer a temporary home for the homeless. As we - 15 Presbyterians on the Voices from the Border and Beyond seminar - prepare to cross the Mexico-Guatemala border, we remember the voice of Olga S�nchez Mart�nez.
"I came here to die," she says, "but I'm still here. The Good Shepherd healed me." Read more by clicking here
Hope - but then horror
For some seeking a better life, the path to the United States can lead to unspeakable terror and suffering.
This is the fifth article in the series "Voices from the border and beyond."Our group of 15 Presbyterians traveling on the Voices from the Border and Beyond (Jan. 23 - Feb. 1) seminar is greeted by Salvadoran children singing - and waving U.S. and Salvadoran flags. Click here to read full article.
The Hidden Flame
Hunger Program's Joining Hands empowers women, small-scale farmers in El Salvador. The story of a high-quality El Salvadoran wine, Hidden Flame, began more than a decade ago. Pastor Santos Carpio was having a conversation with God. Little did he know what would result. Click here to read full article.
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FDC organizes Meeting wth Rep. Martha McSally
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FDC is committed to working with different sectors of the community both locally and nationally to share our perspectives with our elected officials about our desires for a healthier border and immigration system. To that end, we brought together 10 women and men from business, faith organizations, community groups, health care, educational institutions and local elected offices to meet with our district's newly elected representative Martha McSally.
While those of us attending the meeting with Rep. McSally come from different vocational, cultural and faith backgrounds, we are united in our desire to have federal policies that:
- recognize and support our vital relationship with our neighbors in Mexico;
- make it possible for our community to flourish culturally, economically, and socially;
- encourage our city in being a "welcoming city";
- allow for the safe, efficient, and legal flow of people and trade through ports of entry;
- do not use deserts and mountains as lethal deterrents to people migrating for family and economic reasons;
- support families in our community who are negatively impacted by our broken immigration system and drug trafficking.
We have been advocating for a positive reform to our immigration system for over 15 years and in that time we have only seen a focus on border enforcement with a 800% increase in funding and nearly 500% increase in Border Agents on the ground. Please join with us in praying for real reform and in contacting your representatives to share your desire for immigration reform now. Read our letter to the editor!
We post immigration related articles on the Migrant Resource Center facebook page. Please "like" the MRC to keep up with immigration related news as well as the ministry of welcome at the Center.
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Flying Samaritans |
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Thanks to the Flying Samaritans for sharing their knowledge, compassion and time with our community at the health clinic.
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Am I My Brother's Keeper
The Rev. Monica Dawkins-Smith
The Rev. Dawkins-Smith wasa member of the Lancaster Theological Smeinary Delegation that visited us in January.
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| The Rev. Dawkins-Smith (right) with Melissa Navarrete at the DouglaPrieta Community Garden |
"I do not know; am I my brother's keeper?" was Cain's response to God's question, "Where is your brother Abel?" (Genesis 4:9)
Honestly, I usually skip this kind of biblical story fraught with imperfect family values, even if it appears in the lectionary. But after a recent trip to the borderlands in Arizona and Mexico, accompanying seminarians from Lancaster Theological Seminary on a cross-cultural immersion trip, I have read and re-read this biblical passage several times over the past three weeks. Click here to read full article.
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November 6-14, 2015
Coffee, Migration and Faith
Border to Border Delegation
7 Spaces Left
REGISTER NOW
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Join us in building relationships and understanding across borders enjoying great coffee, wonderful fellowship, delicious food, and incredible hospitality in the rainforest in 2015!
We will probably reach the maximum number early this year so we are in the planning stages of adding a delegation in late September early October, We will announce the date in the March e-letter.
Click here to see the visual story of the 2014 Delegation. The initial information packet and registration form will be sent out on Friday February 5.
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Muchas Gracias
to all the delegations who shared life and ministry with us in February!!
Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church
Tucson, AZ
Young Adults in Global Mission of the Lutheran Church
Mennonite Peace and Justice Network
First Presbyterian Church Farmington, NM
Christian Peacemaker Team Delegation
Lexington Theological Seminary
Support
Frontera de Cristo by:
1) Joining us in giving thanks to God for:
--the blessing of our call to witness that Jesus Christ is our peace across the borders that seek to divide us;
--for the former board members and staff who have already joined the great cloud of witnesses:
Don Eckhardt
Amelia del Pozo
Betty Mae Seel
Cecilia Castellanos
Bertha Miramontes
Margi Buehler
2) Praying with us for God's guidance and help in:
--Discerning where God is leading us as we seek a new Mexican Coordinator;
--Responding to the reality of the impact of drugs on the families and communities of Agua Prieta;
3) Providing Support to the Migrant Resource Center:
-The MRC invites YOU to visit or volunteer. Come, learn, and be blessed by our brother and sister migrants.
-MRC Donation needs:
-Shoelaces
-Men's clothing
-Warm clothing (Winter is coming! Jackets, gloves, hats, etc.)
-MRC Volunteers commute by bike-but we need helmets and bike lights! Please consider donating to help keep us safe on
the roads.
-Financial donations will help pay MRC operating costs, but food items when donations are scarce and keep our bicycles in operating condition.
3) Donating by clicking the donate now button.
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