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.