Thursday, January 31, 2008

Trying to Think Christianly about Immigration

On my way back from Christmas break, my family and I stopped at a hotel for the night in Tennesee. In the morning, I noticed that a middle aged Hispanic woman was servicing the breakfast items they had out.

Given the recent discussion of immigration, the thought crossed my mind--I wonder if she's legal. I figured she probably was, because I would be very nervous about such a public job if I wasn't.

But what if she was undocumented? It's possible. I pictured a life of increasing fear. Maybe she has children. What if she finds herself unable to get a driver's license? How would she get to work? What if she gets fired? How will she feed her family? What if she has been here for decades and doesn't have any home to go back to?

The American government has looked the other way on this issue for years and years. For some of us, we are only now thinking about these things. But it has been acceptable to look the other way on these things for decades. The government has known about fake Social Security cards and other mechanisms of underground immigration forever. They might seem like new news to us, but this is big time old news.

So you can understand if I feel that it's not a little hypocritical to get "righteously indignant" about this issue all of a sudden. It would be like the Wesleyan Church suddenly revoking the membership of Wesleyans who go to movies after decades of a rule on the books that almost no one paid any attention to. Shall we suddenly start imprisoning individuals who violate blue laws where they are still on the books? Shall we make homosexuals do prison time? It's still on the books in Texas.

Shall we throw Rosa Parks in prison for not getting out of her seat? It was against the law.

We as America have been complicit in creating this problem, and it is not a little hypocritical to pretend as if they are fully to blame when we have not acted like these were important rules.

And what of the individuals whose lives are suddenly ghetto-ized by new rules. Some have lived here for decades peacefully, working minimum wage jobs. Many have children in our public schools who were born here--they are US citizens. Many have no home back in Mexico to go back to--this is where they had moved to spend the rest of their lives.

If some politicians get their way, the unintended result will be a ghetto-izing of this group--real men, women, and children--not completely unlike what the Nazis did intentionally to the Jews. No jobs--how will they eat? (Answer: Christians will feed them in violation of the law because it is better to serve God than mortals) No cars--how will they be able to get outside their "fence"?

They have broken a law. Have any of us broken a law? Anyone ever received a speeding ticket? Did you know that walking on a train track is trespassing on Federal property? Let's look at the income tax filings of the most vociferous voices on this issue. I guarantee many of them regularly violate the law more most of these families looking for a better life.

And law in Mexico is not like we imagine law to be in the United States. We often ignore speed limits, but we do it at least half willing to pay the consequences. In Mexico, the law is sometimes a matter of bribery. It does not have the ideological status it has here. The effect is that the intentionality of entering does not have the significance for them that we are (currently) assigning to it.

But the title of this post is trying to think Christianly about this subject. Thus far I have only tried to highlight some blind spots and hypocrisy in the current debate. Let me now get out my Bible and go looking for some principals:

1. God is no respecter of persons.
Americans are not more valuable or important to God than Mexicans. God looks on the heart. In God's eyes, we are not worth a dime more than any one of them. Did you know that my church has Hispanic churches? Could anyone in any of them be undocumented? Let's turn them over the government. (Really, the Wesleyan Church has those kinds of churches--I thought you all were good white Christians?)

I have no doubt but that there is a healthy dose of prejudice in play here. We can blah, blah, blah and rationalize it. "I know they are just as valuable in God's eyes, but there are consequences for breaking the law." It's very hard for me to see this kind of comment as anything but a rationalization of prejudice. Multiplication of words does not the truth make.

So fine them and make them become legal--that's a consequence.

2. Love your neighbor as yourself.
How would you want to be treated if you lived below the poverty line but had it better here than in Mexico? Maybe you would like to become legal but the possibility of deportation keeps you from it. The bottom line is that most people do not put illegals in the same category as themselves at all. They think of them more along the lines of animals that need to be run off the property.

3. Christ died for the whole world.
People who think Christianly think redemptively--how can we minister God's grace to those whose lives are broken on every level. An obvious answer is to help them come in to the fold. It is not, let us send them as far away from the gospel as we can.

If I had any political power? I'd try to secure the borders and make a path to citizenship for those who truly want to be a part of the great American experiment. Teach them English, sure.

So, Schenck, you believe in "amnesty"--that dirty word. Funny how the politicians are so concerned not to get this label. Who cares? I'm not interested in what you call something; I'm interested in what Jesus would do.

And what Jesus did was bring "good news to the poor, sight to the blind, liberty to the captives." The elder brother might chastise his dad for reaching out to his brother, make him pay for the wrong things he did. Jesus cares more for 1 lost sheep than for 99 middle class white American Christians.

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you for that perspective so thoughtfully written out. I don't hear it a lot in our Christian communities.

Mike Cline said...

And regardless of whether immigrants are given "amnesty" or are all rounded up and "fenced in," does it really change what we as a Church believe and do?

I think the government can make a case that illegal immigration is just that, illegal. Certainly, the laws have been ignored and there is a fair bit of hypocrisy is utilizing them now, but at any rate, the government has the power to do what they wish.

Which is why the Church and the government aren't on the same side a lot of the time. We can welcome the stranger among us while the government persecutes them. Doesn't make a difference to me. Sure, it will sadden my heart, but at the end of the day, that illegal immigrant is my neighbor and I will serve him/her to my full ability. It may even mean going to jail on their behalf. Are we as Christians ready for such commitment? My job is not to pass laws but to follow the Messiah.

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Ken,
Some of the hype over illegal immigration has been "intensified" by 9/11 and "the war on terror"...
We are culturally identified and it threatens our very identity to think that the "different" would be "included"...Humans mostly have a "herd mentality" and want to remain within their comfortable contexts (whether economic, or social).
Today, I go to a lecture on a book, "The Mind of a Terriorist"....The way people think is culturally defined (values), as well as their behavior (tradition)...
Americans value "the rule of law", as you point out...But, how do we define the "law" across cultural values and ideological differences?
You make some valid points about humans, that are just like us in their basic needs...And you point out some very real difficulties for these people. What should we do?
Surely, we want to pay them for their work, but do we care about the state of their life? Do we want to help them to become legal so that they have the same "rights" to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Do we really believe that "all men are created with certain inalienable rights"? Do we really "do unto others as we want done unto us"?
I really don't think so, because American values are based, first and foremost, on power and position....And, even though we tout democracy and freedom, how can we "export" democratic values and freedom for the individual, without acting in opposition to those very values by acting as an imperial nation?
I believe with my whole heart that our country's freedoms are the very foundation of "love". For without freedom, there is no "morality" or responsible citizenry...and certainly we are called to "love God and neighbor", which is a call to choose.

Unknown said...

I am greatly dismayed by the blind reactions of so many Christians concerning this matter. As though being American was far more important than being Christian.

Our church works directly with Hispanic ministry here in North Michigan. With the help our our District and local cluster of Wesleyan Churches, we are hosting Iglesia Manantial de Vida- Water of Life Church. We encounter "illegals" in our community- of whom many have come to America out of fear for their personal safety in their native country as well as seeking a better way of life here. Our role as a Church is to be the transforming power of the gospel message in the lives of our neighbors.

To think that we are going to send 12 million "illegal" immigrants back to Mexico, China or wherever else they have come from is ridiculous. This costs money and I don't think any American is willing to pay extra taxes to cover this expense.

So let's lead them to Christ and let the Holy Spirit begin that new work in their heart and life. It's like I have told my church: "We don't need to go to Mexico to do missions; Mexico came to us."

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Mike brings out some good questions, at least for me...
As Christians, we cannot separate our identities from our culture, nor should we separate our values from our commitments to action (voting for the candidate who represents those values). Laws are made and interpreted by those in office. So, our Christian duty would be to be involved in the political discourse. In a nation, such as ours, there are courses of action that can be taken other than by "illegal" means in protecting or providing for the immigrant...and the Church should be involved in educating its people about that discourse...

Mike Cline said...

I'm one of those that find it hardly convincing that we have a "duty" as Christians to be involved in political discourse, at least as how it is shaped in 21st century America.

By being witnesses to the Kingdom Jesus inaugurated (and is still coming) we are by nature being political, for its message oozes of political significance. But if by being involved from "duty" means that I have to pick a party, run to the ballot box, ooh and aah over potential candidates for an office that has no ultimate authority over me--then I will have to decline the proposition.

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Mike, don't you think we have a responsibility to engage our culture? That does not mean that political candidates are our ultimate value, but that they are to represent each one of us...and we are called to obedience to those who rule over us. Hopefully, we won't have to make a "choice" of obeying our government versus our God. And that means that we must protect and value the freedoms that we have as a nation. Freedom of religion is only one of the freedoms that we enjoy...what about freedom of speech, such as this blog site? freedom of the press? etc.?

Mike Cline said...

I agree that those freedoms are great, but there is nothing "Christian" about them. Freedom in a theological/biblical sense has anything to do with democratic ideals and social obligations. Again, this is just my opinion.

I of course believe we are to engage culture, but I do not see how being a part of the political process, whereby I place a person in a position of power who will inherently have to make decisions that run contra my ultimate authority (God as revealed in Jesus). We are to obey our authorities...even pray for them...but no where do I read that we are to pick them. If you want to be involved in that manner, please feel free to do so. But in the meantime, let's not pretend that by doing so, we are being "Christian" or engaging culture anymore than say, the Amish, who engage culture but by abstaining from it as much as possible (thereby, creating an alternative culture).

This is just my perspective, but we need to realize there are more options when engaging culture such as democracy etc...

Mike Cline said...

You: "Hopefully, we won't have to make a "choice" of obeying our government versus our God."

I think many feel this sentiment, and I can certainly understand. I don't wish for persecution or destruction of our nation. Democracy sure has its perks, in fact, it may be the best the world has to offer. But at the end of the day, it's still the "world"...it's still another imperfect "ism" compared to the reign of God in my individual (and our corporate) life.

And if we aren't seeing situations everyday where we have to choose between the state's will and God's, maybe it's because our eyes have been so blinded by democracy and power. It's not because those situations don't present themselves, it's just that we've wedded values that were never meant to belong together.

SOrry for taking up your board Ken. I'm done.

Jeffrey Crawford said...

I agree that the issue of immigration - illegal immigration specifically is a hot button issue. As one who resided in Atlanta, I can tell you that it is a true issue. It burdens the civil and legal channels tremendously and puts an unfair bias in the air towards those who would actually enter into the country legally.
That said, I must admit my own prejudices on the topic. I am personally pro-immigration but very anti-illegal immigration. How does that match up scripturally? I believe that we are to love the person in breech of the law, however, I am not convinced that I am called to aid and abet in that breaking of the law. In other words, I would not feel any sort of conflict in blowing the whistle on a situation.
This is because I truly value the freedom of will and choice that we have been given. For every choice, there is consequence. To me, this is no different than if I were to break a law in the presence of a fellow Christian. Should i expect them to be quiet because I am their brother?
To me then, illegal immigration is not predicated upon race, ethnicity nor religion. It is a matter of legality and therefore, subject to the laws first of the country. In this way, culture is engaged. This becomes then an issue of upholding the integrity and legal structure of a community - without that, we risk the destruction of that same community. I find no conflict with that and faith in Jesus Christ.

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Isn't "social justice" what the Jews were called to do? That is what the prophets rebuked Israel about...God's law is about protection and provision for the "other"...at least that is what I understand...

The boundary markers around another's "property" and life is what some of the Ten Commandments is all about...So, how can you separate the "social and political" from obedience to God?

I John equals love of neighbor to love of God...therefore, we cannot love God without loving our neighbor...but we may disagree as to how to "love our neighbor"...and it might look different because we may disagree as to whether the illegal immigrant has a "right" or not. And it all depends on how you define priviledge...

Does any human being deserve the "rights" of our nation? and the priviledge to become a citizen? OR is our nation's privilege only for those who are now citizens? Should there be any limitaion on citizenship?

How do we understand or "see" these principles in the "gospel"? Paul's message to the Gentiles was an open message that included Peter's imagery of "a holy nation". The issue of inclusion of the Gentiles was battled over the issue of circumcision....and was hard won in favor of liberty. Does that mean that liberty dissolves all boundaries? No, that is what our "laws" are all about...And we know from Scripture that love fulfills the law...for no one who loves disregards the boundary of another.

::athada:: said...

Whew! You're really gettin' sassy now.

I think you're right on about the unapparent "animal"ness. Speaking an unintelligible language adds to the "otherness". Of course, switch skin colors / languages and you have the same effect.

If there is any significant uptick in ghetto-izing, you're welcome to come serve down at our community center. We don't check IDs :)

::athada:: said...

A year ago I was eating with relatives and a meek little latina lady brought our drinks. As she left, a relative leaned toward me and whispered, "illegal" with a roll of the eyes and sly grin. Since he was an in-law I just stared in silence :)

Yes, our challenge is to see our brothers and sisters first and foremost as children of the one true God, or something much less.

Anonymous said...

Wow lets just dismiss all laws. im disappointed in so many christians who ignore the law here. They broke the law then they come breed and their children become automatic citizens. My tax dollars pay for their education, health services, etc. It's unconstitutional. If you want to be christian about it, leave my wallet out of it. support them privately. make legal immigration easier but be as harsh as possible on those who have broken the law and send them back. problem is they'll come right back like roaches.

Ken Schenck said...

1. Fallacy of false alternative--Either you want to send all illegals back to Mexico or you want to ignore all laws. I have no problem with major fines and requirements for non-criminal illegals.

2. Inability to see one's own paradigm both in terms of law and punishment--the varying nature of law ranging from the embodiment of God's will to appropriate social construct to embodiment of inappropriate social contructs, the treatment of law as ontological rather than sociological, very Victorian understanding of law.

3. I'm assuming this commenter is not a Christian. You can't hate others with such intensity for long, not once you are aware of God's exceptionless command to love, before you can no longer hear God's voice at all.

Mike Cline said...

And how does that socially defined law define Christian action? Come on Schenck, you know you want to go there with me

Ken Schenck said...

I'm not sure where you're wanting to go, but here's my thoughts:

1. God defined law--the "law of Christ" (1 Cor. 9:21), which is the law of love (Rom. 13:10).

2. Appropriate socially constructed law.

It's not inappropriate to have national borders. I am all for us protecting our borders, enforcing our borders. But it's an imaginary line, a social construct. It's only as real as it is in the minds of people.

We are scarcely able to see our own paradigm when it comes to borders. The Bush War, for example, thought it was attacking a nation, when in fact it was attacking a collection of tribes upon which Britain imposed a social contruct they called Iraq. But the civil war there has made it clear what their socially constructed borders were.

"Terrorists" is also a social construct that Bush has imposed on dozens of unrelated groups. I couldn't believe he was still using this artificial social construct in his final status quo of the union address.

3. Inappropriately socially constructed law.

From a non-theist perspective, there really is no inappropriately socially constructed law. If a society had the power to construct a law that said everyone from a certain tribe should be killed, a non-theist couldn't object.

There are inappropriate social constructs from the perspective of Christ's law. A law that afforded rights to whites over some other race simply because of color would be inappropriate from a Christ perspective.

4. But if I can run in my own way with the phrase "socially defined law defining Christian action," there is currently a sociologically defined sense of Christian action that is cultural rather than truly Christian. This is the sort of sociological Christianity that actually thinks it is standing up for God when it advocates hatred, despite the clear teaching of Scripture. This is the incomprensible cultural Christian that warns against those who say, "we have to love our neighbor." Incomprehensibly, the actual word of God is trumped by the assumption that conservative will always mean Christian.

But this is not a truly Christian line of thought. It is a culturally Christian line of thought. It reminds me of the Afghani Muslims who kill their daughters in violation of the Quran if they are kidnapped. They do it because cultural Islam has trumped the Quran.

This happens the world over, history over. Most of the time people say they are angry in the name of God, they are really angry in the name of their tribe--the white American "Christian" tribe, for example.

Jeffrey Crawford said...

My proposal would be to levy heavy fines against companies that employ illegals. You get caught: one strike, you're out. If you take away the CAUSE, the effect goes away. Maybe this a residual from all of the heavy-duty IBS - but causation is so true here.
Are American or supposed American rights limited only to Americans? Yes. Now then, are Christian rights limited only to Americans? Absolutely not. We can't confuse the two. They are entirely separate entities. Again though, are there to be limitations to citizenship or the rights thereof? Yes, I believe that there. We see this played even for Paul, as his rights as a Roman citizen changed the course of events on more than one occasion. In our context, citizenship is something that is not arbitrary nor ideological. I can't bestow that citizenship upon someone else, no matter how much I love them. It is something that is attained by process or by birth. In some ways, it mirrors salvation - forgive the apples and oranges analogy here - in that salvation cannot be gifted by another human being. It is something that is attained - in the sacrifice of Christ - and something that is "attained" by a process that must be gone through - that is the belief and faith that Jesus Christ is Lord. Again, that is a decision that is made by an individual and right or wrong, that decision dictates who is a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. It's not perfect in comparison but I think it serves the purpose.

Ken Schenck said...

In my opinion, shutting off the money trail without addressing the people issue that creates will create a far worse crisis than we have now.

What we have going on right now is out of whack and--in one respect--a drain on the economy. But it is not a crisis. The situation needs to be addressed, particularly in the sense that the rest of us are paying for the education and emergency medicine of non-citizens.

At the same time, they contribute to the economy in the sense of cheap labor. The system is out of whack, but it's actually pretty stable. The economy gets cheap labor and those who do that labor are happy to do it. Mexican immigrants are not a national threat or a greater percentage of the criminal element than any other.

I keep asking myself, what is the real driving force behind this new hype? 9-11 paranoia?

I agree that the system is broken and needs to be fixed. One way or another the illegality needs to become legality.

But if you take away their money, you will create desperate people, and desperate people become more and more criminal. Sure, eventually they will stop coming and many will go home... after quite a turbulent period of time when a lot of loss takes place.

Even leaving Christian compassion for individuals out of the picture, that is not the America I love, a land of immigrants. Maybe it's because my great great great grandfather was an Irish stowaway on a ship who changed his name to Rich when he got here, because that's what he wanted to be in the land of opportunity.

I bet you have some illegals in your past too somewhere...

::athada:: said...

A good read about the economic side of illegal immigration can be found at
http://www.fee.org/publications/
the-freeman/article.asp?aid=4770

It is written by one of IWU's own free market fundamentalists :) He (predictably) comes down in favor of the more free movement of people across borders, just like capital.

Kevin Wright said...

What about the story of God's salvation!?!?! Is not the story of God's people that of bondage, slavery, deliverance, and then a call to let those memories inform their actions? Where do Christians get off forgetting these stories that are integral to faithful Christian formation? How did we get to the point where we forgot how political the Bible actually is? God's people have always been called to lift their eyes to a law higher than other laws- a law of love. And furthermore, how come no one ever wants to ask the question of why people try to cross the border illegally in the first place? If that question is answered with the typical and banal response "Because we're a land of prosperity and wealth," then we must ask how we got that way. We shoved away Native Americans, we went to war with Mexico, and we let our corporations commit piracy in other countries as long as they can still offer us cheap goods. How in the world does that go along with loving one's neighbor?

I'm sick and tired of illegal immigrants getting blamed for everything under the sun. The church has a responsibility to fight this xenophobia, prejudice, and racism with love and worship. Let us lobby our leaders. Let us refuse to let families be separated. Let us demonstrate hospitality. Let us demand a just economy.

Let us remember that the ancestors of the people who we have been grafted into by God's grace were once strangers in a strange land. God seems less concerned with borders that He does with acting justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God.

Angie Van De Merwe said...

What a conversation! This is what education is all about! We must act out of informed consciences. Many of you give me "food for thought". Thanks.
One thought that crossed my mind in the context of this talk is: church membership. What constitutes church membership? I have alway thought of it as a spiritual birth into the "family of God". But, I'm beginning to understand many ways of understanding "faith" and membership....
When we socially construct our borders (or rules), then, we inadvertedly treat others within that "paradigm" (just as Ken has pointed out). I confess that I, too, want to assoiciate with those who are "like me". That affirms "who I am" and makes me comfortable. I don't think that is wrong, because we are all "socially constructed" in some sense. But, it doesn't do anything for me as far as "understanding" those that are not like me. We all must inform ourselves fully of the issues and commit to the values we deem most important. And that means keeping an open mind to the information given and being willing to change.
And I agree with Ken that we must not label others (terrorists, liberal, atheist,etc.), otherwise, we cease to give people an ear to hear what is of importance to them.
"The Mind of A Terriorist" is a book about different "colors" of prejuidice, which is what colors the paradigm of terrorism. The Church also has been guilty of atrocities in the name of God. We must tread lightly over the ground of difference so that we do not cause the earth to crack under our feet and we all be destroyed!

Jeffrey Crawford said...

oh yeah, my families are Scottish immigrants on one side and German on the other. This isn't an issue of immigration rather it is an issue of legal v. illegal action. To come into the country via legal channels is a fine thing. I say let anyone who meets the legal criteria should be allowed in. I'm not advocating racial or ethnic biases in the least. I'm advocating process, doggone it.
Actually, I'd beg to differ on the subject of stability within the economy predicated upon cheap labor. I'd ask the many workers in Michigan about that. I'd ask the people who find it more beneficial to be on government assistance because it pays more than being a door waiter at Walmart. With an unemployment rate beyond that which is tolerable - thanks to the "conservatives" - another issue that... - I don't think taking employment from able-bodied away by substituting a job for a legal citizen away to pay dirt to someone who is illegally in the country is a boon to the economy. If the illegal paid taxes, perhaps.
Oh yeah, while I'm rambling I place much blame on NAFTA as well. I understand that the economy of this country is predicated upon free enterprise but by de-regulating tariffs and business development in other countries, we have slit our own throats. Marion itself bears the scars. Recovery will never, ever start so long as we are willing to hire cheap, albeit illegal labor. The change has to start somewhere. For what it is worth, I find that to be a more a Christian attitude. Anyway, before I babble anymore, can I point out how beautiful it is to be able to express these thoughts in a civil and unrestricted forum?

Mike Cline said...

This isn't about immigration...this isn't even about legality...this is about how the people of God are formed by events and stories that differ from the stories of American law makers and politicians. No offense, but I don't see how we can separate who we are as a Church from how we respond, which is what we still do on this issue.

Jeffrey, why do we have so much stock in the prosperity of this country? Is that prosperity and power what drives our decisions? From what I have seen, that is certainly the case for a lot of Christians on this issue.

Jeffrey Crawford said...

Michael,
I think that having pride in one's nation is not in opposition to one's faith - not that you said that. I myself don't necessarily have a great deal of stock placed in the economy or prosperity in this or any country. I am proud to be an American and frankly, thankful that I am. Therefore, on that level, I am very interested making sure that I do all that I can to make sure that my country is in the best shape for my children that it can be. It's not so much - and I'm not quite sure what you were getting at here - from a position of power? - I'm not an American supremist and I am very opposed to war and the Republican party and most issues, so that takes care of that one...
But, I vote, I pay taxes, I try to be involved, therefore, I do believe that I have the right to debate, complain, and to proclaim.
Anyway, does national pride HAVE to be at odds with Christian pride?

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Jeffrey,
Good Question! Some may believe that we can separate our relgious (or spiritual) identities from our culture...but our identities manifest themselves WITHIN culture!! So, religious identity is a cultural by-product...The early Church's understanding of their faith was understood and interpreted within the framework of their culture...Since Christianity was an expanded Judiasm, then, what was the cultural "message"? Was it not that the Law was for everyone??? The Law was what set the nation of Israel apart, wasn't it? (I do not know, but would like to know how the real history behind the Law...not the Biblical account, but the historical account outside of a religious context...). Our nation is Great because of our commitment to those "laws" which guide and guard our nation and its people!

Angie Van De Merwe said...

Thinking more about "Law"...laws, whether written formally or not, are what make culture what it is...informal laws would be customs, tradition, etc....social control (or a lack thereof) is maintained by the "laws" that "rule" the land...Therefore, how do we develop "laws" that rule all nations and still allow the freedom of diversity that is to be expected within different cultural traditions? That is a big question for globilization...because when you get to the nitty gritty of how to value certain cultural traditions...people will always disagree...their cultural value is more importand and therefore more meaningful, than another's...How does one put a price tag on "meaning"? Meaning is what religion is all about....

Josh and Jaclyn said...

Ken,
Thanks for this post. I'm back in the U.S. fresh from a 10 day trip to the AZ/Mexico border where I had an eye-opening experience where I had the opportunity to speak with many people preparing to cross the border illegally. I learned that immigration is a very complicated issue...more complicated than you probably think.

There is so much I could say but space won't allow for it. However, our group was challenged to "tell people about what you see" in hopes that we can make a difference in people's attitutes concerning this hot button issue.

One last thought, we also met Pastor John Fife and he said be on the look out this summer. A storm is a brewin in Arizona, and he could be calling Christians from all over to come to the border in an act of non-violent resistance in order to increase awareness of this issue. Essentially it will be a mass pilgrimage of Americans migrating from the border to the North.

For some info and pictures you can go to http://journeytotheborder.blogspot.com/

Thanks again for talking about this.

Peace,
Josh

Josh and Jaclyn said...

I'm reading all these comments, and I am impressed with what is being said. I have so much to say but I know I can't. I can however recommend a couple of good reads on this subject. Two books -- The Devil's Highway and Enrique's Journey. These books are a bit graphic but it gives you a better understanding of what these husbands and fathers and wifes and daughters have to endure in order to get to the U.S.