Post for Thursday.
It seems that our recurring theme from Scripture was:
Isaiah 43:1 But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3 For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in exchange for you. 4 Because you are precious in my sight, and honored, and I love you, I give people in return for you, nations in exchange for your life. 5 Do not fear, for I am with you; I will bring your offspring from the east, and from the west I will gather you; 6 I will say to the north, "Give them up," and to the south, "Do not withhold; bring my sons from far away and my daughters from the end of the earth-- 7 everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made." 8 Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! 9 Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this, and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, "It is true."

No matter where we turn to look or look away there is need and suffering. No matter where the fences or gates or walls or barriers are, there is always a human face seeking the kindness of another. What is a border? What is a border crossing? What is the barrier in our heart? This Scripture cam into a whole new context as we listened to the stories of the migrants and deportees. The pictures today are of the kitchen that feeds 1200 people a day! They serve from 6 to 11 a.m.

 After spending time at the kitchen our afternoon was to visit the markets and do some shopping. We also went to the cultural center and spent time viewing the museum display of the Mexican history. We posed for another group shot.

Casa del Migrante in Tijuana

Casa del Migrante in Tijuana is a home. It is a sacred space. Here in this home, that has been in operation since 1987, men who are displaced find sanctuary. Their background, their record, their labels all are left at the gate when they enter. These men who have been deported or returned or removed or are lost between two countries are received with love and dignity by the Catholic Scalabrinian order. The home houses the men, feeds them, teaches them their rights, offers social work and provides spiritual nourishment through prayer and worship. During our four nights we ate with the migrant men, did chores with them, slept down the hall from them and listened to their stories.
Today is the post for Thursday. I realized I didn't take pictures of our rooms, our bathrooms or the food we ate. Out of respect for the migrants I do not have photos of the men. Everyday the door would open in the evening and a new wave of men would be waiting. Every morning by 6:30 am they would be gone for the day. The Casa houses up to 160 men.
It will be weeks before I process the the stories that broke my heart and the faces who brought joy to my life.
The photos here are of the house. Our guys fixing breakfast in the kitchen and the roosters that started crowing every morning at 4am

1. And today Wednesday we listened Raphael talk about the immigration trends over history. 

   Then a visit to the Tijuana colonias-which used to be the dump. electricity and running water-yes, sewage-no.

   The pictures describe what words cannot say.

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

1. Listened to Pastor Manny Retamoza, his Uncle Jess Harrow and Border Angels-Enrique Morones talk to us about their mission work with migrants. Visited Chicano Park Crossed the border into Mexico to Stay first night at Casa del Migrante. This was Tuesday during the day.

   1. Tuesday Evening was a trip to Friendship Park where the fence covers 700 miles. 2100 miles of border...

   

   
   

   

   
   

   

Arrived in San Diego

This is a picture of all of our group. Aren't we a stellar crowd!!
We traveled together on Southwest Air. A new experience with "Open Seating" Good flights and a short nap. Flight time also served to complete our reading assignments. We were greeted with beautiful weather and wonderful views. The smell of sea water and the sight of sailboats made this girl feel at home.

We had a delicious dinner together followed by devotions and the question to take us to our dreams-"What is a border?"
See you tomorrow and sweet dreams to all of you.

Okay folks here is the start to the blog for our cohort trip to San Diego and Mexico. I'm excited, nervous and curious. I'll post some comments. I'm not sure how deep the theological thought will be. Mostly, I'll upload some pictures and give you an account of what we have done during the day..

See you soon...come follow along with us as we learn about immigration and poverty.
Peace,
Monica