Thursday October 16, 2014

            Today was another eye opening day to what has been happening in the Borderlands.  It was an honor for us to meet and talk with people who active in the ministry of hospitality with the refugees.  We had spent some time at Calvary Baptist Church in McAllen with Pastor Julio who gave a lecture on the biblical and theological foundations for hospitality towards the non-native traveler.  Pastor Julio also talked about the frustration that they have with the misinformation that the news media reports with the humanitarian crisis on the border.  After the pastor talked, we had the fortunate experience of talking with a woman who has worked with refugees.  Unfortunately, I cannot reveal anything what this woman had told us but I was truly moved by the work she done and truly humbled by her strong faith in God.

            Later in the day, we had the privilege of talking with Ann Cass, executive director of Proyecto Azteca.  Proyecto Azteca is a nationally recognized, self-help housing organization that has huge involvement in the community and has trained and financed numerous families in constructing their own homes and some are first time home owners in the different colonias within Hidalgo County.  It was inspiring for me to see the passion that Ann has with what the organization does for low income families and helping the people help themselves to restore the respect and dignity that these people deserve.  She also gave us a presentation on the negative impact that the border fence has had which left me angry and frustrated with how our political leaders have poorly attempted to address the issue with immigration.  After the presentation, one the staff members of the organization, Raul, took on us on a tour to the colonias and saw the work that they have done for these families.

Las Colonias outside of San Jaun, texas

            Despite the frustrations that I have had, today has left me with hope that the different churches in the area have stepped up and responded to this humanitarian crisis on the border.  It is humbling to see how these communities of faith are living out the biblical message of welcoming the stranger from a foreign land and treating them as their own.

Eric Peterson