Casita Linda

Lots of stuff has been in the news recently regarding border issues, poverty, and Mexico. Some are positive and encouraging, some sad, and others hopeful...

This article in the LA Times is about a very cool project building homes in San Miguel de Allende using local materials. It's called Casita Linda.

Today's appointment/nomination of Janet Nopalitano to Homeland Security made headlines. Ms. Napalitano has worked and lived in Arizona for many years and hopefully will not create or support policies that marginalize the poor.

new check points

In an article I read today in the LA Times, Border Patrol is now arresting undocumented immigrants as they leave the United States. There have been periodic check points for traffic leaving the United States into Mexico since 9/11. But not until recently have undocumented immigrants been sought out and arrested in these check points.

Why would this happen? By doing this, the US government is creating an aversion to leaving the very country that does not welcome immigrants. Apparently immigrants are processed and then released into Mexico creating a record of the crime.

The article cites pressure from increasing anti-immigration groups and sentiments among US citizens for stricter enforcement. This is a classic example of government doing something illogical and counter productive based on pressure from influential groups and bad policy.

Thinking long term, I wonder what the best method is for countering such hateful and racist activity from our own government. I suggest increased relationships with our friends on the other side of the border. I believe strengthened friendships is the best way to combat hate.

a proposed plan

Here is the plan to foster a sense of justice particularly around border issues:

Take a group to Mexico for one day in April. We will go to Miracle Ranch. We will intentionally make efforts to learn and receive as much as we give and teach.

Plan a follow up trip to Mexico for a weekend in the summer. This will be for folks who would like to further their experience and delve deeper into the issues of justice around the border.

Create an enduring form of outreach ministry that opens our hearts and minds to our brothers and sisters from across the border.

Possible ministries:
Breakfast for day laborers
Childrens event or program for cultural exchange


Hoped for outcomes:
Solidarity with immigrants
Advocacy for just immigration reform
Stem the tide of hate crimes directed to immigrants
More just and humane laws for immigrants

easter egg hunt fun and fair

Today at our church and school our day care provider is having an Easter Egg hunt. She was tired of having the older faster kids trample over the younger ones and take more than their fair share of eggs. So she devised a creative way of making the game fair.

All kids lined up on a starting line and on "go" they went on got one egg. They returned to the starting line for another round. Then once again everyone ran and got just one egg. This continued until everyone had quite a few eggs and treats within. Everyone had the same number. This system allowed for the youngest or slowest to have as many as the oldest and fastest. The kids had a great deal of fun!

Once the hunt was over we had read a passage from Acts 2, "...and they shared everything..." In just one game we can learn what it means to be just.

sweet justice

In response to a suggestion of our definition of "Justice" I would like to add that the Justice we seek is about more than equitable distribution of resources and fair trade practices. While those are HUGELY important and integral to the work of justice, there is nevertheless a deeper reality behind justice. We ask ourselves the question: "Why is there injustice in the first place?" "How did we get here?" The question becomes personal - What is wrong with me that there is such injustice in the world? A compelling response to these questions resides in our relationships. If I love you, honor you, am aware of you, how could I stand idly by while you suffer? And if you do suffer unjustly and I am in a position of power to do anything then our relationship suffers. You might fail to trust me. I might lose trust in myself. We might lose our trust and...faith in God. But, God is faithful to us. God is just. God honors our relationships. So as we work for justice we work for "Right relationships with God, with each other, and with creation." (quote from George Johnson.)

I am also drawn to consider that if God is just and faithful to us and all of creation, then there already is more than enough justice intrinsically in the universe. We don't have to go creating justice - we need only use the abundant justice that surrounds us! God's justice permeates us. Let us use it extravagantly!

Another benefit of thinking of justice in this way - right relationships is that it is much easier to put your head around than say fair trade practices and the effects of globalization. Any child knows when there is a good healthy relationship and a bad one. If we are to engage young people in the pursuit of justice - right relationships is a good place to start. It also helps keep us in check from beginning to feel like high and mighty purveyors of justice throughout the land. It cannot be unilateral. It must be multi lateral. That is what relationship is.

hate on the rise?

Yesterday I saw on the news and read in an article that the number of hate groups in America is rising. Many of these are focused on immigrants. In fact, there is a correlation between an increased number of anti-immigration groups and an increase in hate crimes toward Latinos--who may or may not even be immigrants.

See Hate Rises from the Washington Post.

Also see USA Today.

What is interesting about this, is that just a couple of weeks ago a news piece came out that among all crimes committed in California...a disproportionately large amount are committed by legal citizens. See NPR story "Do Illegal Immigrants Burden the Justice System?"
The answer is no.

So why do we hate? Fear? Insecurity in ourselves? Because we are taught to? Perhaps the answer is all of the above. I am inclined to say that if there is to be a Youth Justice Network, then this is an area we should focus.

• What ever happened with immigration reform?
• What medical provisions are there for the undocumented?
• Who looks after their rights?
• Do enough people understand the causes behind immigration?
• What can be done to strengthen community ties with immigrants?
• What can the church do to stand in solidarity with immigrants?