Dateline July 23 2014. This past weekend, Beth and I went on a trip to the border at McAllen, TX. We went with a team of 150 people from Mercury One, which is a charity disaster relief organization. I want to share what I saw, heard, felt; and some observations that might put some of this in perspective.
We first met at a large church, Iglesia del Pueblo in Mission, TX, that was set up as a staging facility and was serving breakfast and lunch to those in need. We brought $2 million in supplies, toys, food, clothes. This will last at least until October. There were at least 7 tractor trailers full of goods. There are half a dozen or so other churches that were coordinated with to support. I went to one of the churches on that list that was taken food along with about 10 other people. It is in a very poor area on the north side of McAllen.
We got a tour of the church grounds by Pastor Oscar. He was very engaging, talkative and sincere. He showed us the church sanctuary, which was packed to the gills with kids and families on the last day of their VBS week. It was loud, hot, busy and very crowded. Good thing the fire marshal didn’t show up. The kids were interactive with the leaders on stage, sang the songs, etc. There was a robustness. It was a good feeling. There were approx 800 people there, three quarters kids. Pastor Oscar told us they were from all over the area, and that the church promotes this through their groups. He seemed to imply that not all were from their church. They were then fed a lunch; we had brought tacos with us- 2 LARGE coolers full. They have a large air-conditioned dining hall that was large enough for all, though it was crowded too.
Oscar explained that they do this event every year, although it is larger this year than before. I became concerned that we were being exposed to the regular residents of the area, instead of the illegals and kids we came down to minister to. Then I began to understand what is going on. Oscar told us that many of these ARE illegals. This problem has been going on for years, 25+. It is not new since the past few months. The issue of the unaccompanied children is new, and is bringing some attention to the whole scene, but this is an old problem. It is a way of life here for these communities. They deal with it and continue their daily lives. Some have been there awhile, some just arrived. They try to make it on their own up to cities like Dallas and Houston, but can’t. They are on foot with no food or water, so they come back to McAllen. Some didn’t try to do that, but just stayed there. Oscar says that if someone knocks on their door, they do whatever they can to help them. Not a lot is required, because not a lot is needed. They have generally found a place to live. It might be a shack or vacant building. They need clothes, water, and food. The church provides for that. They get no govt funding. Not sure where all the money comes from, but they are self sufficient in some way.
Here is the part that impacted me the most. It chokes me up just to recall and write about it today. The church has built a school. It is a modern metal building with tile floors, built to what I could see was standard building codes. Restrooms, plumbing, a/c. Rooms for various age groups, including a nursery with bassinets and cribs. Not divided by grade, but by age. From infant nursery all the way up to 17. It is equipped with desks, work areas, etc, just like you would expect. They teach regular core and supplemental subjects. Oscar has a degree in history. I asked him if they teach American History, to teach these kids how the USA works and what our founding and background are. These people are coming here for the same or similar reasons that the Europeans came in the Colonial days. He said they are taught about our history. They are also taught from the Bible. They are taught the Gospel, and that Jesus loves them. They are taught basic principles of respect, self sufficiency, work and service. This is the part that chokes me up and gives me some hope. To work for themselves, be self sufficient, and not be a burden on anyone. As 1 Thessalonians 4:12 says. A little 800 person church on 10 acres in the thick of the poorest zip code in America is teaching the young generation of illegal immigrants the same principles as our Founding Fathers based this country on. Yes, most of them got here illegally. I want them sent home. But some of them are here. Many of them are going to stay here. This is a separate dilemma from closing the border. We have to deal with the people that are here. Either round them all up and send them back (not gonna happen; won’t be able to get them all), or minister to them in love, respect, and how to take care of themselves. Mold them into responsible residents. Citizenship is a separate issue.
One of the other Mercury One volunteers who is from McAllen had a lot of insight. We asked her what the major industries are in the area. She said the big money is in the Mexican factories just across the border, the maquiladoras. Many people on the US side work there. The other major industries are health care and agriculture. Ag is obvious. There are citrus trees everywhere, and irrigation canals. I asked her why health care. She said they are sick. Lots of obesity and diabetes. Obviously from diet. They use cheap but unhealthy ingredients in their cooking. She is studying to be a nurse. This tells me that we should educate these people in how to better take care of themselves, better lifestyle choices, getting off the rat treadmill. That will definitely take time.
Today (Monday) Gov Perry has called up the National Guard to help secure the border. That may be the first real step to getting this invasion stopped. That will help us to be able to deal with the other problems.
There was another discussion in the car going to and from the church. We were all very upset that it seems it was mostly locals we were serving. The breakfast line was huge, and they all seemed to be local residents. Probably illegals many of them, but not the people we came down to serve. We felt disappointed and cheated on. We also wondered, what is it that causes these folks to show up for a free meal. That is the complaint of many of those who bashed our effort. And it is a legitimate concern, but very theoretical. It does not address the reality on the ground. Here is what came to me on the way back from the church. Remember the parable of the sower? Matthew 13. He sowed seeds on the rocky soil, the path, the weedy soil, and the good soil. This might be a bit of liberty with this parable, but we are in the weeds right now. Sowing seeds that will grow, among the weeds. Lets not worry about the weeds among us, but plant seeds that will grow anyway, and bring a harvest. We can separate the weeds from the fruit later. That is what Oscar is doing. And what we should encourage and support him and his comrades. Otherwise we will just inherit millions of unproductive transplants who brought their problems here. America is great because America is good. They come here from a bad place; we need to teach them our ways, not because we are better, but because we believe in One who is better. It won’t do them any good to keep the same habits and lifestyle and dependence.
I am praying for our leaders, both Democrat and Republican. We can't win this without God, and prayer is how we communicate with Him. God doesn't care about our labels or agendas. Also for the local leaders, both public and private. For Iglesia del Pueblo, Sacred Heart Catholic Church, the one I went to and Pastor Oscar, and for the citizens and residents in that area. I hope you will join me in that. Thank you for your interest and attention. May God bless us all...
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