As the House of Bishops meets this week in Arizona, a group of bishops, their spouses and partners travelled to the border with Mexico to learn more about border issues.
More information HERE at the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona’s webpage
And the Diocese of Arizona’s Facebook page has a wonderful video which can be accessed HERE.
And, more HERE at Episcopal Life online
A Glimpse of Border Life
From the Rt. Rev. Carol Joy Gallagher at her“Mama Bishop’s blog”
O God, when you went out before your people,
when you marched through the wilderness,
the earth quaked, the heavens poured down rain,
before God, the One of Sinai,
before God, the God of Israel.
Rain in abundance, O God, you shed abroad;
you restored your inheritance as it languished;
your flock found a dwelling in it;
in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.Psalm 68:7-12
I am at the end of a very long, full day. We traveled early this morning in vans to Naco, Sonora to have a brief introduction to the ministry and work that is going on there for people. We were greeted by the mayor and his wife, both who are committed to caring for their people and transforming their community. We visited the place where elders are fed, many of whom have little food otherwise due to the economy and separation from families etc. We then went to a brand new clinic that was full of local people, patiently waiting to be seen. As the nurse and the physical therapist went around, everyone present showed concern for the patient and responded to the therapists suggestions with some of their own. Many older people had strokes with no medical follow up or therapy, and many were there with injuries and a host of conditions. From there we went to a migrant center and heard the heart-wrenching story of a man and wife separated from their children, who are in the states, because they returned for a funeral and cannot get back to them. They welcomed us and did not made us feel like aliens in their country. We were welcomed and fed wherever we went, often hugged and kissed as well. A genuine hospitality from those with so little.
This evening we participated in a weekly vigil, where crosses are place along the road to the border entry point, and the names are read out loud of each person who has died in the desert attempting to cross the border.