a few more colonia shots

Border Witness Experience

"to connect the reality that people are living with those who do not know or understand it; to assist in understanding the reality of the border through personal contact; to give voice to those who struggle to surmount oppression and assert their dignity; to service as an educational resource..."
- the goals of the ARISE Border Witness Experience

Listening. Learning. Observing.
We spent Monday with Ramona at ARISE, a local non-profit agency helping immigrants to the United States, focusing on programs in Early Childhood education, English language training, and cultural and creative activities. Our primary focus was to learn more about colonias, among the poorest of neighborhoods here along the border, and indeed, among the poorest of communities in the United States.

We had the privilege of sitting in a neighbor's living room and hearing her story of immigration and the difficulty of everyday life in the United States (while only being somewhat distracted by her two very cute kids). We heard the testimony of women who are working with ARISE, and how the experience impacts their lives. We listened to a Sister of Mercy tell of what she learned while serving in an immigrant shelter in Reynosa, Mexico. We were fed exceedingly well, both academically and with tasty Mexican food!

And then we spent time driving through nearby colonias, and witnessing first hand some of the conditions these people experience. We saw tiny, postage stamp sized apartments, that rent for more than seems possible or equitable, and houses constructed from shipping palettes. We heard how in these neighborhoods plagued with gang activity, there are yet no street lights to illuminate the neighborhoods after dark. We saw fire hydrants painted red, to signify that they do not work. We were told of the potential perils of living next to irrigation ditches, and the very real possibility of annual flooding in these low lying areas.

We also heard stories of hope, of community organic gardens being established, of solar water heaters being installed to save money. We saw homes where neighbors gather to learn and share talents and gifts. We witnessed evidence of small businesses growing up, and entrepreneurship alive and well. We saw that crazy mix of culture so unique to this area, of horseback riders talking on cell phones and cornfields next to palm trees and taquerias alongside Subways.

Overall, we left blessed, encouraged and inspired by the experience, while yet sobered by the realities of the communities so geographically close.There are so very many Scripture mandates, requiring us to love our neighbors, to show compassion to the aliens in our land, to fight for justice, to show hospitality to all.  How ARISE serves the community, not doing that which people can do for themselves, developing relationships and knowing people well, meeting in neighborhood homes, patiently growing and developing new roles after 25 years of service,  is a great model for me as we continue to move forward. Thanks to Ramona and all the ladies at ARISE for a great Border Witness Experience. 

making ready

As part of the process of becoming acclimated to the area and discerning where and how we'll be serving in the future, we're getting out into the community. We're learning about groups already working hard, and we're meeting people, and we're watching and listening. This week, we had opportunity to go out to visit a project of Proyecto Azteca, a group that seeks to assist folks with low cost quality housing in the colonias.

At this particular site, a volunteer group from Houston was demolishing a house that had burned in a fire due to faulty wiring. Their task was to completely raze the building, and make the lot ready for a pre-fab home to move in. It was encouraging to see many from the community, including the family, helping the work. It seems a bit ironic that an act of destruction can provide hope, but certainly, that was the case on this hot day for the single mom and her two kids.

This week I've learned of a hard situation in another community that we've visited, and I have been frustrated with how difficult it is to be part of positive change and action when you are not a part of that community. Increasingly, I long for the time when we will be living and earning trust among people, with opportunity to share problems and speak daily the hope and promise of the Gospel. And in the meanwhile, my constant prayer is for patience and vision and wisdom and discernment, and the opportunity to be used in and for His kingdom.

beginnings

It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
we have come to our real work
and when we no longer know which way to go,
we have begun our real journey.
The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
The impeded stream is the one that sings.
Wendell Berry, "The Real Work"

Beginnings.

We have been here in the Valley just two weeks now. Two weeks of getting our feet set on the ground and unpacking boxes and finding places to belong, things and people alike. Our primary prayer right now, and I expect that it will be for a while, maybe forever, is for vision.

We want to see the world around us through the eyes of Christ.

This summer we are working with an intern, a student in Community Development. Her assignment is to survey the community, especially those living in the nearby colonias, locating and mapping existing resources and seeing what needs exist. Her work will help to lay a foundation of where we will begin, who we will talk to, where we will go.

Colonias are residential neighborhoods in border counties, typically in unincorporated subdivisions,. Historically, they have very little infrastructure- limited access to clean water and sewer services, underdeveloped roads, and marginal housing conditions. In addition, these communities face higher rates of health problems and disease and high unemployment rates. The county we are living in has the largest number of colonias residents in Texas. It is also one of the poorest counties in the United States.

This week, in just a few days time, we listened about issues surrounding those living in floodplains, a potentially life threatening situation as hurricane season arrives. We heard about the very real possibility of young girls involved in sex trade activities. We saw people living in substandard housing conditions. We learned of needs bigger than existing resources.

We prayed.
Continually.

Because we have come to real work, and we are starting on a real journey.
We don’t have simple solutions, and we will never fix all these problems.
But we do have an Answer, and in serving, we are ready to tell of the hope that we have.

Someday, we hope to hear the waters sing, even as they roll over stones in the stream.

But right now, we are just beginning.