More photos...

Sleeping room at Sacred Heart

 Giving prayer shawls at La Santisima Trinidad UMC

 The fence at Brownsville, TX

 Hope Park in Brownsville, TX

 Kevin giving a prayer shawl to Maria Elena de Fuentes

Sunday worship at Manos Juntas

 Site visit with Julian

 This is one way to get back to Manos Juntas

(The van broke down-no one injured)

 Julian asked how we liked our ride?

 Mexican Mother's Day dinner-Kathy, Becky and Willie

Lunch time at Vamos Tamaulipas School

Mary helping make pinatas

This is the full prayer I used for several of our Ubuntu Days.

I believe this if from the Book of Uncommon Prayer.

O God,

Expand our awareness to others whom we shall meet today, and tomorrow.

Help us to look for signs

Of our common humanity among the people we meet.

Help us listen to what people are saying,

Not just their words

But to what they are really saying.

Sensitize us to calls for help that we might give.

Alert us to signals that we can heed if we will.

In this big booming world of ours,

We are always bumping into people,

Then glancing off to pursue our restless, lonely ways.

We need to constantly remind ourselves

that life and love are found in relationships,

That you are speaking to us through human voices

And touching us by means of human hands.

We pray for others and thereby touch them with our thoughts

Ill people who know what it is to hunger

For someone's concern,

Pressured people who fear that they are going to crack.

As we think upon those whom we know

and touch then with our thoughts,

Help us to whatever extent we can touch them with our life.

As we feel our along in prayers,

So may we feel our way along in our daily relationships,

Looking, listening, reaching out and touching.

As we would keep alive the memory of Jesus.
Give us fuller measure of his living and healing Spirit. AMEN

Mission Opportunities with the United Methodist Church

I was asked how can I find other mission opportunities within the United Methodist Church and how can I give to some of the UMC Missions we have visited?  

This is the link which will help you find information about all sorts of mission opportunities and how to get in touch with people in the know!

https://www.umcmission.org/Get-Involved/Volunteer

If you would like to be a part of an Ubuntu Journey:

http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/ubuntu

How to give:

http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission

http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/The-Advance 

 UMC projects we visited:

Good Neighbor Settlement: http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/donate/umwprojects/nmi-good-neighbor-settlement-house,-brownsville,-t

Manos Juntas

http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/Search-for-Projects/Projects/3020527

Willie Berman

http://www.umcmission.org/explore-our-work/missionaries-in-service/missionary-profiles/Berman-Guillermo

Methodist Border Friendship Commission
http://www.umcmission.org/Give-to-Mission/Search-for-Projects/Projects/10759O 

5/11/16

Today is the last day of our official Ubuntu Journey on the Border. The theme for this journey has been “A Walk in the Light-Journey with Us on the Border.” This was the perfect tag for this past week. This has been a journey for each of us. We each came to this Ubuntu with different expectations but with one similar goal to learn more about the Border issues and we did. We are going home to share what we have learned and hope others will follow our footsteps to come to the Border and learn as Joann said ... I know that many see the (along the Border as an) issue as simple – black and white but I now understand even more fully that it is far from simple and consists of many shades of gray.

We said good-bye to our Manos Juntas family with promises to return when we can.  Before we left, Iva shared her devotion with us. The basis of her thoughts were from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book “Life Together” and the verse from Luke 10:27: He answered, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind. And you must love your neighbor as yourself.” She shared that we are to thank “those who have touched our hearts” and “to help quietly and with love”. We as Ubuntu sisters are in a ministry of ‘sharing burdens”. I could not agree more with her assessment of our ministry of this past week.

The border crossing was uneventful. But we remembered those we met on our day at Sacred Heart Refugee/Immigration Respite Center and how difficult their crossing of the border was for them. We hope and pray their travels to their new homes are not as fraught with fear and danger as was the beginning of their journey. We wish them god-speed and safe travels.

Back at McAllen First, we met up with Susan. She fed us lunch and filled is in on the afternoon and evening plans.

Susan and Willie (Manos Juntas, Director) explained their roles with the Methodist Border Friendship Commission (MBFC). Prior to the creation of the Methodist Border Friendship Commission (MBFC), resources from the UMC (in the US) were not connected to the Methodist Church (in Mexico or US) or were not directed to priority of the needs of the Church. Many resources went to the areas where the needs were visible, or due to verbal requests made but not necessarily where identified needs existed as determined by the Church officials of the area-Bishops and District Superintendents from both sides of the border. As a result, MBFC was designed to coordinate, develop and organize resources to meet the needs of the UMC/Methodist Church and ministries along the US/Mexico border. 

 

Our first stop was to visit with Romana Casasa at ARISE-South Tower. This is a community based program which works with low income families to help them create a better future for themselves and to work to be contributing members of society.  ARISE provides educational programs for children and youth and adults. They engage their communities in civic participation. The goal is to encourage families that with an education the world is in their hands. To learn more about this ministry: www.arisesotex.org

Our last stop of the day was to the beautiful Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle. Famous the mosaic mural of Jesus introducing Mary. Crafted by two Italian artisans the mosaic is 45 feet high and 34 feet wide. The mural also depicts the Rio Grande Valley with Rio Bravo running through it. On the grounds of the Basilica are the fourteen stations of the cross. These life-size states are crafted in bronze and resin. The path where the stations are located is almost a mile long. People come from all over the world to walk the stations and see the Basilica.  We left the Basilica to have our last ‘official’ meal together and say good bye as we head back to our respective homes.

This has been quite a week, filled with laughter and tears. I would like to thank everyone we met for their love and caring of this very special group of women. With special thanks to Becky our fearless leader, for bringing us all together. We were each where we needed to be this week. Susan for her friendship and great organizational skills which made this journey so wonderful.  To our hosts across the border- Willie and Julian and the staff at Manos Juntas. Your faith and dedication to the ministry of Manos Juntas is truly inspirational. We all thank you for getting us to the sites for our visits-even if it did mean riding in an ambulance! The hospitality at Manos Juntas was extraordinary. We thank all of you who took such good care of us, our meals, and sleeping arrangements. We all agreed it was our home away from home.  To Alicia for her amazing knowledge of the UMW, her outgoing personality, faith and love of her God. May you always have a song in your heart. To Kathy for her steadfast faithfulness and care for all of us. Safe travels as you journey to Japan. To Mary who proves age is just a number, and a reminder to keep on keepin’ on! There is still work to be done. To Joann for her quiet faith and wisdom and picture taking par excellence!  To Kevin the best roomie ever. I am forever in your debt for your gift of friendship. To Iva for her grace and wisdom and for being our song leader. May we all take a page of her book on grace.  

This has truly been a Journey of lifetime for me. It has been an honor and delight to get to know these ladies who truly have become my sisters. We laughed and cried. We oohed and awed over beautiful babies. We were shocked and horrified at the terrible stories we heard about journeys to get to the border. And the lengths people will go for a new life. And we became family through this time together.

I have enjoyed sharing our time along the Border with you. Thank you for your faithful reading and caring of us while we have been away from home.

‘May the Lord bless and keep you,

May the Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you.

May the Lord life up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

           

May 10, 2016 

Our devotion today was titled:  HOPE from Kathy Knutsen of Iowa.

Jeremiah 29:11 The Lord says I have a plan for you.  A plan for good and not for disaster.  A plan for a future and hope. Kathy’s gusto for mission work was to have an impact on people’s lives to fix the oooweees. She says those things are alright but what she realized was that people appreciated her for herself.  “That my presence was a gift of encouragement and value to their life.”  That was more lasting than physical fixes. Hope is something that is invaluable. It gives you peace, serenity and assurance. Mission is about being a presence and being present.  

A reflection from Joann Smith of Georgia

I confess to procrastination ... I think part of the problem is information overload. I came on this journey, not really knowing what to expect. I just knew that God was sending me for a purpose.

I have met so many wonderful people along the way and learned so much about them ... and myself.

I will say that I have friends on both sides of the immigration "fence" ... I know that many see the issue as simple as Black&White, but I now understand even more fully that it is far from simple and consists of many shades of gray.

The people who live on both sides of the border have much to offer one another and are much more alike than different. We sat around the table with folks (mainly women ... like us) from Texas and Mexico as well as other areas of the world and shared with one another. We found that the concerns of our hearts were very similar. We worry about the loss of family values, quality education for our children & grandchildren, health issues and communities that no longer come together in unity. We found that we all have similar hopes and dreams for a better future.

We looked in the eyes of mothers, fathers and children who live in fear and have risked everything to try and reach a safe haven.

We worked alongside folks who are seeking to provide comfort and hope to these children of God.

I don't have all the answers and perhaps I have even more questions than before, but I do know that God calls us to love and serve others as He loves and serves us. We are called to show compassion to those who are hurting ... that includes those who are different, those who may not look like us.

I pray that God will continue to allow me to see through His eyes. May I never forget what I have learned on this journey and may I never stop learning as long as my life journey lasts. I pray for words to speak and wisdom to know when and how to speak them when I return home.

My time with this amazing team of United Methodist Women has been filled with love, laughter and blessings beyond measure. Thank you God for allowing me to be a part of this life-changing experience.

With these words there is nothing more I can add for today.

Prayer for World Peace 1978

Lord, we pray for the power to be gentle;

 the strength to be forgiving; the patience to be understanding;

and the endurance to accept the consequences of holding to what we believe to be right.

 
May we put our trust in the power of good to overcome evil and the power of love to overcome hatred. 

We pray for the vision to see and the faith to believe in a world emancipated from violence,

 a new world where fear shall no longer lead men to commit injustice,

 nor selfishness make them bring suffering to others.

 
Help us to devote our whole life and thought and energy to the task of making peace,

 praying always for the inspiration and the power to fulfill

 the destiny for which we were created. AMEN

Here is some background of Manos Juntas Mexico (MJM). It is a ministry of the Methodist Church of Mexico, located in Rio Bravo in the state of Tamaulipas in Northeast Mexico. It is a 45-minute drive from McAllen, TX. Manos Juntas has been helping the community and surrounding areas since 1992.

MJM has come to the point in their ministry to have the focus of long term, high impact effects and measurable results.  MJM Community Center Project works to improve the lives of all members of the families through education for the young, skills and job training for parents, nutritional and health education, health care, counseling and prayer. More importantly, MJM works empowers the community to solve problems on their own. MJS has started the “Vamos Tamaulipas Community Center” with kindergarten and elementary school classes for children left out of the official school channels. The focus is working to help break the circle of poverty. By partnering with several government and private agencies to provide resources for families in these low income areas of Rio Bravo.

There is a great commitment to improve the quality of life in the MJM community. The medical clinic now has two family doctors, three dentists and two lab technicians. The staff works with the schools and the people of the colonias. The clinic now helps to teach good health care. It is now financially independent.  Over 21,000 families are helped directly or indirectly by MJM over the past years. The future plans at the MJM center are to open an internet café and welding shop.

We visited Proyecto 92. They teach sewing class, classes for GED, ESL and parenting resources. They were learning to be haircutting and become nail techs. We also visited with Pastor and Mrs. Raul Garcia de Ocha for Reyonosa, MX.

DID you know…that Mexico’s official name is United States of Mexico?

Tomorrow is the Mexican Mother’s Day?

AMEN!

Monday evening, May 9^th, 2016

Hi! We wanted “All Ya’ll” to know that we are fine. We are having a great spiritual as well as educational time here on the Border. The folks at Manos Juntas are wonderful hosts.  If you are considering a mission on the border you might want to consider coming here. You will be treated with great hospitality.

The internet has been spotty due to fiber optic cable being laid throughout this area. Since it tends to be slow I will post a photographs once we are back in McAllen on Wednesday.  I will also post links to United Methodist Women’s Ubuntu Journeys and upcoming mission dates, the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission Project links for US and International projects and also how to give through the United Methodist Giving program called the Advance.

 We welcome your thoughts and comments on the blog.

Please keep us all in your thoughts and prayers as we are keeping you in ours as we wrap-up our final days of this Journey.

Buenos Noches!

Deb

Editor

Sunday at Manos Juntas

Thank you Creator God for creating Laughter.

Thank you for Giggles and more Laughter filled with JOY!

Thank you for People with Connections.

Thank you for nice looking Ambulance Drivers

Thank you God for Laughter filled with Joy!

Thank you for a Wonderful Day.

The day started out with a long devotion with the ladies of the church of Manos Juntas. Breakfast eggs and chorizo (sausage), little hotdogs with salsa Verde (green salsa) and frijoles, tortillas and fruit.

The church service was done in Spanish. We asked not to have a translator but to experience the experience. Being Mother’s day the whole service was led by the ladies of the church. Songs were sung with great fervor from the bottom of their feet to the top of their heads. Prayers are said with deep feeling of wonder and sincerity. Reading of the Scriptures in a way which breathed life into every word. Children singing and moving from lap to lap. A nursing baby as the words were spoken. A heart felt sermon was shared. A Mother’s Day lunch with a video of the ladies of the church. It was fun to hear to laughter when their faces came up on the screen.

We were off to see Manos Juntas projects here in the area. Our driver, Julian Otero, manager of the projects, told us about an orphanage, a school and community center. So much is focused on tourism and there is a great need for a local place for the local community. Julian explained the focus on mission has changed over the past few years. Mission needs to have measureable results, high impact and be long lasting/ long term. Lives have to be changed. Mission is more than a week long “trip”, you need to work with your hosts on the root of the issues, what they see as the problem not what you as a North American see as a problem. Our hosts know their communities and better understand the issues. This is part of understanding the Global Ministries program 50/50. We went shopping to help the economics of the community. 

A stop at an chamoyadas stand.  Chamoyadas is crushed ice with a blended fresh fruit syrup of your choice-mango, coconut, strawberry, kiwi and other fruits with a squirt of sweetened condensed milk on the top. Then the last stop was to a school under construction for elementary school. The closest school is currently six miles away from this neighborhood. Little ones would need to take a bus to attend.

 We are ready to head back to Manos Juntas. But wait! The van won’t start. We wait about 15 minutes and it still won’tturn over. Our fearless leader, Julian calls a friend of a friend to help us out. Five minutes later an ambulance shows up with lights flashing to return us home. They asked who was injured as they there told there seven injuries!  We all pile into the back of the ambulance for a laughter filled ride back to Manos Juntas. Several of us agree that we could now check ambulance ride off our bucket list! Our very kind drivers flashed the lights and a beep-beep of the siren as they drove away.  We are still giggling over the great experience. What a fun way to end a wonderful laughter filled Mother’s Day.

And the ladies said, AMEN!

Saturday May 7^th, 2016

As we feel our way along in prayers

So may we feel our way along in our daily relationships

Looking, listening, reaching our, and touching.

As we would keep alive the memory of Jesus,

Give us fuller measure of his living and healing Spirit. AMEN

Today was another very good day, filled with teasing and laughter. The team has continued to come together into a sisterhood. Everyone is equal, helping each other in and out of the van. Making sure everyone is accounted for and not left behind. Filling drink glasses when they are empty. General good humor and care. Jeannie Blankenbaker, coordinator for our Ubuntu Journeys, said, “Everyone who is to be on this team will be on it!” Truer words have never been spoken. We are all where we need to be.

We visited Proyecto Azteca in San Juan, TX. This non-profit self-help construction company serves low income families in the colonias as well as other rural areas of Hidalgo County. Executive Director, Ann Cass was to visit with us about this ministry, unfortunately, she fell and broke her arm and was unable to be with us. Her very able Director of Public Relations, Amber Arriaga-Salinas, spent three hours telling us about the projects and connections Proyecto Azteca works with.

Started in 1991, with the coming together in the spirit of Cezar Chavez the United Farmworkers of America, Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid and Texas Low Income Informative Services to respond to the housing crisis in the Rio Grande Valley colonias and rural areas.  The first year, a self-help construction was organized with four families. As a nationally recognized, community self-directed, self-help organization Proyecto Azteca has helped, to date, over 600 families in 150 colonias and rural areas. All homes built are energy efficient and weather sustainable with a 0% interest and monthly payments include property taxes and home insurance, this gives the homeowner pride in ownership as well as chance to live in a safe shelter.

Teams are welcome. Minimum age to work is 16. Contact Amber Arriaga-Salinas at 956-702-3307 for more information.

There was a great deal of discussion about the issues along the border, the wall, and the immigration laws. The issues with undocumented Moms needing to get medical care for ill children and how difficult it is to get. The bottom line is there are laws which are unfair, it is important to not just complain but to become proactive in working to make the needed changes.

Next stop was lunch for Texas BBQ. We ate at Texas T’s. Ribs, brisket, pulled pork, coleslaw, potato salad, all agreed it was a good an introduction to Texas BBQ.

Back to McAllen First to meet Julian Otero of Manos Juntas to drive us to Mexico. A quick 45 minute drive across the border. We were greeted with a warm welcome from Maria Elena de Fuentes, and Veronica Berman. Maria is the wife of the Bishop of the Eastern Conference of the Mexican Methodist Church. Veronica is the wife of GBGM Missionary Willie Berman. The ladies of the local Methodist churches were also here to welcome us. Sister Kevin gave Maria a prayer shawl from her church’s prayer shawl ministry. We again shared stories and laughter. Quickly realizing we are all the same no matter the language, we have the same cares and concerns and love of our families. Platters of fruit and cookies and then homemade tamales, charro beans, salad and sandwiches were served for dinner. We all left groaning. We greatly, greatly appreciate the warm hospitality and look forward to tomorrow with worship and deepening of friendships.  

Photos to follow.

More from the UnCommon Book of Prayer

We pray for others and thereby touch then with our thoughts

Ill people who know what it is to hurt and be afraid,

Lonely people who know what it is to hunger

For Someone’s concern

Pressured people who fear they are going to crack.

We think upon those whom we know and touch them with our thoughts,

Help us to whatever extent we can to touch them with our life.

Today was another busy day. Deb’s devotion was “For richer, for poorer” by Barbara Brown Taylor. We discussed, “What defines who are rich and who are poor?”

 Our merry band of nine had several places to visit today. Our first stop was La Posada Providencia in San Benito, TX. La Posada Providencia was founded and sponsored by the Sisters of the Divine Providence. It is ministry for people in crisis from around the world seeking legal refuge in our country. The name was chosen to reflect the gospel mandate to “welcome the stranger” and trust in our God. La Posada provides food, shelter and support to hundreds of families and individuals who are I n the process of obtaining asylum or other legal recourse for residing in the US. Laundry Room at La Posada. Deaconess and Board member of Church and Society Cindy Johnson of Brownsville, TX explained her work as a volunteer at La Posada.

Kathy’s thoughts about today’s visit to La Posada.

Do you know that a very small percent of the people crossing the Mexican-American border are actually Mexican? Do you know that a high percent of Mexicans is here on a work permit? These statistics were part of the facts that we received on our visit to La Posada Providencia. But these facts are a small part of the story.

Laundry Room at La Posada

La Posada is a calm, quiet and serene rural shelter who excepts immigrants and asylum seekers with good shelter and clothing. Legal aid, health care and a family atmosphere are the added benefits to help these people. These who are fleeing political and social injustices. These who have experienced poverty and famine. With a small staff, three Catholic sisters and loyal volunteers transition is made possible. Along with physical safety, a family atmosphere is created through chores, schooling in English, family style meals and support. This is a dream made possible for them and I witnessed it. I was amazed with both groups of people; the clients and the Las Posadas organization. A job well done!

Iva’s thoughts about our visit:

Love, caring, and a family atmosphere were all evident at La Posada.  It is a place where the Sisters of Divine Providence provide a place for immigrants and asylum seekers to find a calm in the storm and make plans for their future in a new country.  Four of us were privileged to be able to be part of the ESL (English as a Second Language) class.  We sang and shared together.  We heard the stories of the students.  One of the things that surprised more than one of us was the number of countries that have been served since the center opened in 1989:  77 in all.  From July 2015 to March 2016 individuals and families from 21 countries have been served.

Good Neighbor Settlement House, Brownsville, TX

Our next stop was in Brownsville, TX at Good Neighbor Settlement House. Good Neighbor Settlement House is a non-profit multi-service agency. They provide the basic necessities such as food, clothing, showers and hot meals. They have an emergency pantry, telephones for the homeless, educational programs and transportation to Ozanam Homeless Shelter. Good Neighbor Settlement has a quilt ministry. Eight to sixteen ladies come three days a week to visit and work on their quilt.  It only takes the a week to ten days to finish a quilt. Deaconess Cindy Johnson explained Good Neighbor Settlement house is in the neighborhood where she grew up and went to church. She led us in a prayer walk around GNS.  Cindy explained that Good Neighbor Settlement is a National Mission Institution of UMW. A national mission institution provides direct services to communities, and many also engage in action for justice. See http://www.unitedmethodistwomen.org/nmi for more information.

The fence at Brownsville, TX

The Peace Post 

Our final stop of the day was the Hope Park in Brownsville. Named for City Commissioner Alice Wilson-Hope. This park is located on the US/Mexico border on the Rio Grande River. This is the beginning point of the Chisolm Trail. The trail’s route was from Brownsville through Oklahoma where it split into a trail headed west to Dodge City, KS and an east trail to the railroad stockyards of Wichita, Abilene and Junction, City Kansas. Today, the park is a place where you can see Mexico through a border fence. I felt rather like a child wishing to get to the other side but this huge thing was holding me back.

We are back at the hotel after a very full and fulfilling day. We treated ourselves to a famous Whattaburger! For the un-initiated these are some of the best burgers south of the Mason-Dixon line. Thin pressed burgers best with slice of cheese, onions, a slice of tomato, lettuce, mustard and mayo on a soft bun. Shoe string French fries with lots of catsup and a chocolate milkshake! Great way to end a great day! 

THANKS again to Susan Hellums for her excellent planning of this Ubuntu Journey. Tomorrow we are off to Mexico and Manos Juntas.

Again from the Uncommon Book of prayer:

In this big booming world of ours,

We are always bumping into people,

Then glancing off to pursue our restless, lonely ways.

We need to constantly remind ourselves

That life and love are found in relationships,

that you are speaking to us through human voices

and touching us by means of human hands.

Today is May 5^th or Cinco de Mayo. In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has become a celebration of Mexican culture with traditions such as parades, mariachi music, street festivals and lots of Mexican food. In reality it commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico. Contrary to the belief of some this is not the celenbration of Independence for Mexico, which is September 16th and is celebrated in Mexico. There was no mention of Cinco de Mayo by our friends. Plus we saw only two mariachis headed into a hotel! Oh yes, we did have Mexican for dinner!

Our day started out with breakfast and a devotion by Ubuntu sister: Mary Stitt. She used a devotion from one of David Wilkinson’s Sound Bites Ministry Blog. http://soundbitesministry.blogspot.com. It set the tone for the day.

Susan took us out to Granjeno/Andaldua Park. The town of Granjeno sits on the banks of the Rio Grande River.  Several years ago, the US government built a new concrete wall along portions of the border.  Most of the way from Texas to California. There are portions of the wall which are not complete. Here in Granjeno there is a two-mile long barricade designed to keep illegal immigrants out of Texas and for flood control. It has in fact forced illegal immigrants to come across the border at different locations. We stopped at the wall and walked over it. The part we crossed was a mile from the actual US/Mexican border. You could see the river in the distance. Susan said the barrier has done little to stop immigrant movement. It has been reported large groups simply run around the ends of the levee or scale the top of it. While we were discussing the wall, a Border Patrol car drove by and we waved. It helped that we had a van that said McAllen First UMC, McAllen.

We drove to nearby Andaldua Park. A lovely family park on the Rio Grande River. As we walked to the pier, two Texas State Police boats pulled up.  We visited with Officers of the Texas Highway Patrol. They said that part of the time they patrol the highways and part of the time they patrol the river.  We asked if they could take their photos and the gracious said yes. Note the guns on the boats.

By 10:30 we were headed to Sacred Heart Refugee/Immigrant Respite Center. This was the day that “bent our hearts”.  Sacred Heart Refugee/Immigrant Center is run by Catholic Charities for the benefit of refugees and immigrants coming into McAllen, TX. We worked with Nayelli Sepulveda and Casar Rocha Manning.  Photo: Becky Harrell and Sister Norma.  Sister Norma is the Director of Sacred Heart Refugee/ Immigrant Respite Center in McAllen, TX. Sister Norma being interviewed by local TV station.

We straightened linen closets, made beds, fixed sandwiches, filled snack bags for the refugee’s journey in the days to come. Several weeks ago, our host Susan Hellums hosted a group from the Southwest Texas Conference. The group was Residents in Ministry or RIM. These are individual getting ready to be ordained as elders or deacons. They were generous and left money to purchase supplies for Sacred Heart Refugee/Immigrant Respite Center. Susan, Becky Harrell and I shopped. 

Supplies for Sacred Heart Refugee/Immigrant Respite Center

 Later in the afternoon we would welcome 72 travelers and hopefully in time to come new citizens of the United States.

Here is some background as to how refugees and immigrants come to Sacred Heart for help. Please realize this is an extremely complex topic. I do not feel I can fully explain or understand the intricacies of immigration. This is going to be very simple and please forgive an errors in my understanding.

The men, women and children find their way to Sacred Heart have family members within the United States willing to sponsor them. This means paying for a bus ticket to where the family member lives within the United States.

The individual or family comes to the border with no papers to pass through the border to the US. They may have traveled months or weeks to get to the Mexico/ US border. They are tired, scared and hungry. They are constantly on the look-out, knowing someone could turn them over to the authorities.  

They turn themselves in at the border asking to petition a family member so they can come into the US. United States Citizenship and Immigration Services handle immigration service functions. They are then sent to a detention center for processing, contacting family members. They may be held for a couple of hours or days depending on the family members consenting to sponsorship. At the detention center they are fitted with a tracking device around their ankle which will remain until they reach legal status in the US. It may be up to a year. After they have family sponsorship they are then taken to Sacred Heart Refugee/Immigrant Respite Center located in downtown McAllen. Here they are greeted by the volunteers with cheers of welcome, wide smiles and welcome to the US!

Administrators take their personal information. They are given a quart size zip lock bad of toiletries, a toothbrush, paste, soap, razor, deodorant and a wash cloth, a shower, a simple soup meal with tortillas, and a place to sleep until it is time to catch the bus for the next part of their journey and new start.

We all wondered how we would react if a situation occurred in our homeland which would make us flee for our safety to another country. It truly bent our hearts.

Our day was not yet over! The El-Valle District United Methodist Women invited us to dinner at their church La Santisima Trinidad UMC in Weslaco. The intake at Sacred Heart took longer than anticipated and we didn’t reach the church until 6:45 pm. The ladies fixed a wonderful meal for us. Enchiladas, green salad, charro beans and Tres-Leches cake, pumpkin empanadas and ginger cookies for dessert. 

                          

Kevin Schaner brought prayer clothes for our new friends,

We shared our stories and concerns which lay on our hearts. Concerns were for our world, our government, our church and UMW. We asked to pray for the Border Patrol, and border issues, for the homeless (or people who live under the stars), our list of concerns were long but felt by lifting them up the burden was shared.

We promised each other to always be looking to see where God shows up!

AMEN

All Arrived Safely

Day One (Continued)

John Quinones of ABC’s Nightline came to the Valley to learn more about the Forgotten America. Here ABC Nightline features the the Colonias in South Texas.

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/hidden-america-life-las-colonias-16216812

Our Team

Iva, Deb, Kathy, Becky, Alicia

Joann, Mary, Kevin

Alicia Pitterson UMW Rep and Pastor Juan Jara of Le Mesa Mission Church 

ALL ARRIVED SAFELY

This is part of a prayer  that was tailored for groups  from the Uncommon Book of Prayer. 

It is a good opening for our Journey:

O God,

Expand our awareness to others whom we shall see today and tomorrow.

Help us to look for signs of

Of our common humanity among the people we meet.

Help us to listen to what people are saying.

Not just to their words

But to what they are really saying.

Today our team arrived safe and sound to McAllen, Texas for the start of our Walk in the Light- 2016 UMW Ubuntu Journey. We have come from all walks of life. Yet we come with a passion for mission and a desire to better understand the human issues along the U.S. and Mexican border.

Late this afternoon we visited McAllen First UMC for our welcome orientation. This is the home church for our host, Susan Hellums. Susan explained our “Please be flexible schedule”, some background and history of the Rio Grande Valley, and the various ministries and projects we will be visiting.

Tonight we worshiped at La Mesa United Methodist Church (La Mesa Mision Metodista), in Mercedes, TX. This Mission Church is in a colonia. The attendance on a Sunday is around 25 plus people. We were each warmly greeted with a smile, handshake and a kiss on the cheek. We sang songs, church members and team members gave testimonials of faith and how God has changed their lives. With the mix of English and Spanish we were able to trade stories of our families.

We quickly realized none of will go hungry on this Journey! Chalupas with picante sauce, nopales salad, fruit salad with a cheese and strawberry sauce and then dessert, chocolate flan cake, cinnamon cookies and Tres-Leches cake and a can of coke. We were fed both spiritually and bodily!

On the way back to the hotel we shared some of our many thoughts on the day:

            The Holy Spirit was with us

            Those who needed to be on the team were on the team. We’re glad to be together at last!

            We saw God reflected in the warm welcomes we received at La Mesa Mission      

            We were a part of their church family. It was not a them and us but we together

            Love the young women singing for us

            The testimonials were shared with grace and honesty

            Their appreciation for their pastor-Pastor Juan Jara.

Thank-you to Becky and Susan for their dedication and hard work to put this Journey together! 

Thank you to La Mesa Mision Metodista, Pastor Juan Jara and his congregation for a memorable evening and dinner!

AMEN

About the Rio Grande Valley

Editor’s note: I think it is important to have some understanding of the area we are visiting. Thanks to Susan for putting together a folder of information for us to further our education as we go about this week. I will add more information which will hopefully put some of our experiences into context.

The Rio Grande Valley sits at the very southern tip of Texas. The Valley is bordered by the Rio Grande River. On the Texas side (north side) of the river it is called the Rio Grande. On the Mexican side (southern side) it is called the Rio Bravo River.  It is really a delta area not a valley.  The early settlers thought the term Valley would be more enticing for northern investors and tourists. The Rio Grande Valley is also called “El Valle” the Valley. Another term used by locals is the “RGV”.

There are four main counties in this area: Cameron, Willacy, Hidalgo and Starr. Cameron and Hidalgo comprise 60% of the population. Hub cities are: Brownsville, Harlingen and McAllen. The total population of the RI Grande Valley is around 1.2 million. The population made up of 89% Hispanic and the population over 55 is 78% Hispanic.

The US News and World Report, in a fairly recent study showed the #1 Metro area for Lowest Real Income in the United States was McAllen, Edinburg and Mission Metro area. Out of 10 Metro Areas with the Highest Poverty Levels #2 was McAllen, Edinburg and Mission Metro area #1 was Harlingen, Brownsville and Mission Metro area. 

www.usnews.com/news/slideshows/10-metro-areas-with-the-highest-povery-levels/10

Colonia: The word comes from Spanish for neighborhood or community. Texas has both the largest number of colonias and the largest colonia population. There are colonias in New Mexico, Arizona and California.  Approximately 400,000 Texans live in colonias. Overall, the colonia population is predominately Hispanic; 64.4 percent of all colonia residents and 85 percent of those residents under 18 were born in the United States. There are more than 2,294 Texas colonias, located primarily along the state's 1,248 miles of border with Mexico. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines a colonia as an unincorporated community located within 150 miles of the US-Mexico border with a population of less than 10,000 with low income, which lacks, safe, sanitary housing and services as potable water, adequate sewage systems, drainage, streets and utilities. It is not usually in a city’s best interest to annex these areas due to the city services required. http://www.sos.state.tx.us/border/colonias/faqs.shtml

Team Members

Hosts

Willie Berman

Rio Bravo, MX

Willie's call to mission was inspired by the work of his parents (lay persons) as they received and worked with mission teams in the poor areas of Reynosa, Mexico. During the past few years Willie has been involved in many opportunities of ministry and mission. New ministries have been started in his local communities, Willie and his wife Veronica are the parents of two teenagers.

Becky Harrell
New Braunfels, TX

Becky is a missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church serving as mission advocate for the South Central Jurisdiction of the denomination. Mission advocates are missionaries assigned to assist annual conferences, districts, and local churches in the United States to understand and participate in global missions. Becky has one adult son who lives in Texas. She especially enjoys reading, music, hosting friends, fishing, and the outdoors.

Susan Hellums

McAllen, TX

I am a native of the Rio Grande Valley.  I work for the El Valle District of the Rio Texas Conference and First United Methodist Church as the Border Area Mission Coordinator.  I serve on the Methodist Border Friendship Commission which is a bilateral ministry of the border which serves the Eastern Conference of the Methodist Church of Mexico and the Rio Texas Conference of the UMC.  I am married with two daughters and one very special granddaughter.

Julian Otero- Our host at Manos Juntas

United Methodist Women’s Representative

Alicia Pitterson

New York

A native New Yorker (courtesy of the suburbs), widow and mom of adult children. I am a member of Christ United Methodist Church located in Manhattan. I love to sing (with others, please), bible study and discussion, prayer and opportunities to see how God can use a group to impact others in fruitful ways. I work with the UMW office of membership and have over 15 years of work experience that includes team support for international ministries. I have traveled internationally but this will be my first Ubuntu opportunity.

Team members

Kathy Knutsen 

Ankeny, Iowa

I do a lot of reading, traveling, biking, and follow the Iowa State Cyclones. I have two granddaughters a half hour away and they have me around their little finger.  I retired from teaching four years ago and have been doing volunteering and mission work and love it!  I meet so many great people. I tell everyone that I am growing up! 

Mary Stitt

Arlington Heights, Illinois

Arlington Heights, Illinois is a suburb about 30 miles northwest of Chicago. The last 25 years of teaching, I was the principal of a K-5 school, which was named for me when I retired. I grew up in Missouri moving around many times because my father was a Methodist clergy. Since I retired I have participated in many VIM trips all over the world.  This will be my third Ubuntu Journey.  I traveled to Cambodia in 2007 and South Korea in 2013.

Kevin Schaner

Cleveland Heights, Ohio

My church is Church of the Savior - United Methodist in the inner ring suburb of Cleveland Heights, Ohio.  We are in the East Ohio Conference where Bishop Hopkins reminds us that mission work is about relationships. My collections center on Love:  vintage Valentines and miniature Nativities. I always write in green ink.

Joann Smith

Winder, GA

My husband is Gary. We have a daughter Toni (31) and son Anthony (27).

I enjoy volunteering at church, especially at our preschool, traveling and spending time with my soon-to-be "official" grandson Bradyn (almost 3).

 Debbie Vest

Lee’s Summit, Missouri

We have lived all over the United States, for many years in Overland Park, Kansas. I worked for the UMC as one of their directors for Volunteers in Mission program.  This is my second Ubuntu. I lead the 2014 Journey to Lithuania. I like to travel and am huge reader! I am married. We have two adult Children-Mike & Jen, great DIL-Kristie and one Grandson-Jackson

Iva Wenzel
Langdon, ND
Iva is a member of Langdon UMC. She has been an active volunteer in Haiti and Lithuania, including NOMAD projects in the South and Southwest. She has been a member of UMW since 1969. She loves photography, flowers and quilting. Her interest in Mexico started with the Mission U Study. She states," we need to establish more relationships with our Hispanic sisters and build bridges between our two cultures...stand in solidarity as work and live out our faiths together."