Refugees or Immigrants

There has been so much information and misinformation regarding those coming across the Southern border at the Rio Grande River. Many of them are from South American countries where violence is a daily occurrence, where children's lives are truly in danger. I cannot imagine being a parent and sending my young child to a foreign country (traveling through another very dangerous country to get there) in the care of the unscrupulous coyotes whose only goal is collect the money (sometimes up to $25,000 per person), assaulting the children, sometimes killing them, and otherwise make everything very unpleasant for them. After arriving at the US border, these refugees are told to surrender to the authorities, where they are housed for a short time in area safe houses. Many refugees are clinging  to scraps of paper with names, phone numbers, and addresses of relatives here in the US who will provide funds for them to travel to these relatives. The refugees are told to report for a future hearing to see if indeed they are afraid for their lives.  These refugees go to their relatives, meld into society, never to be heard from again. Either they did not understand or choose to ignore the need for a hearing. The greatest danger are the Mexican  gang members on the American side who coheres the young refugees to become gang members, promising them large amounts of money and continuing the violence on the American side. This is very evident in this area. Another situation that has evolved is many of these refugees are from other countries - including China and Shi Lanka. Just last week a group of  young Asians were picked up by border agents on the US side - they could not speak English and had no idea they were in the US. It was very hot and you could see that they were in need of water and some shade. There is even the possibility of death  as there were a few bodies found close to homes and the help they needed. The situation is a pressing concern. We drove around yesterday near an area where they cross - it was swarming with border agents, on land and in the river in boats but did not see any one trying to cross. As we drove along the river, I wondered how it would feel to be so determined to get to a free country that I would risk my life and the lives of my family to get there.  How blessed we are to live where we do.  Please pray for the entire situation, that our officials come to a resolution to the problem. It is in God's hands, according to His plan.

This week has been very warm (some people would say hot) with promises of rain, but none in sight. I think it rained last night, as the roads had a few small puddles on them. So we water often, taking care to water some of the neighbor's lawns and flowers also. The cacti seem to love it, as many are blooming all over the park, including mine.

We have been substitute volunteering at CHI resale store, taking over when someone is sick or gone for some other reason. Sales are slow, as again, no one wants to be out in the heat. We enjoy it, as we get to visit with those who come in, especially those whom we have not seen in awhile. The food and clothing ministries are continuing as usual, with more and more people seeming to be in need.

There are so many people from our park who have had surgeries, knee and hip replacements, broken bones, and other physical aliments. Please pray that they will have timely healing in order to return to return to the park this fall. Pray for Chaplain Bill and Ali and us also as we begin to prepare for the coming season here at Alamo Rec Veh Park. Pray that everything we do is for the glory of God, and nothing for ourselves, that everyone's heart would be touched.