Grace on the Border ... Day 2

Over three days, members of Grace Presbyterian Church of Midland, Texas will be in the cities of El Paso, Texas and Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico to meet with churches and programs on both sides of the international border, to learn from them and to gain insight into the unique issues that may arise in border ministry, the challenges arise and how those challenges might be overcome. Other issues that challenge communities across the nation - such as serving the homeless - will also be addressed in the course of the visit.

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Day 2

Day #2 began with a brisk morning walk ... and while it didn't cover a tremendous amount of distance, it DID cover a tremendous amount of ground. We crossed the border from El Paso, Texas, the United States into Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Once there we were greeted by members of University Presbyterian Church of El Paso (Presbyterian Church USA), Iglesia Verdad y Esperanza of Juarez (Iglesisia Nacional Presbyteriana de Mexico), and their shared mission and ministry at Pasos de Fe.

It was another busy day at Pasos de Fe, with members of the surrounding community coming and going, Still the pastors and staff of the church/mission, and a representative of the Chihuahua Presbytery (PC Mexico) were able to engace us in a wide-ranging Q&A session and a discussion od issues and experiences for all of us, on both sides of the border.

This was followed by a tour of the facility, a chance to meet other members of the staff and volunteers, and gain an appreciation for the variety of services available to the community through Pasos de Fe ... medical services, a pharmacy, English language classes, job training, counseling, haircuts, therapeutic massages and all of the faith-based services and opportunities one would find at a church.

A long and full day across the border that opened our eyes, our minds and our hearts to the challenges of cross-border ministry and mission, an appreciation for programs/services rising to meet those challenges, and some thoughtful/prayerful consideration to how those programs/services might grow in the future ... and how we might be a part of that growth.