Bridge to Freedom

This last week 4 of us ladies took time off to go to Mexico for a pedicure, as well as picking up a few   medications, and also some Mexican candy.  We drove in rather than walk across the 1/2 mile bridge. Usually we walk in with others, but some of these ladies have a difficult time walking, so this is the option. I do like driving in , but either is OK. Before all this border crisis situation, when walking out, a person could walk freely past the half way mark, leaving Mexico and entering the United States. If a refugee would do this, he or she could than enter the check point building, and tell the border agent they were seeking asylum. They then would be taken to another room for processing. Now there is a check point at the half way mark - anyone without proper papers cannot step foot on American soil.  Because of the large groups of people asking for asylum or freedom in the US they just wait there for processing. For that reason, they are camping out on the bridge with their backpacks, bedrolls, etc. The fences on the bridge hold their clothing that they have washed somewhere (perhaps the public bathrooms on the Mexican side or even the Rio Grande River). This line of people stretches all the way back into the streets of Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. There are even tents pitched there - my only question is where did they get the nice new colorful tents, their cell phones that they are using (which we saw) and better yet where do they charge them? Also, they all were wearing nice, clean clothes and designer shoes. Now I am all for the United States receiving refugees, but why is there such huge groups of caravans all at the same time? Did they all decide to leave their countries at the same time? this has never happened before. What started all of this? Lots of unanswered questions. A missionary friend was talking to them and found out that the majority of them were from Cuba. We welcome immigrants coming for the proper reason - amnesity because of oppression in their countries, fear of death or imprisonment, or to better themselves and their children. But I wonder if there are limitations on the number allowed to enter our county. We are a free country based on the principles of our founding fathers - we can appreciate others wanting the same thing. Anyway, we did have a good time on our ladies day out - a nice breakfast at the restaurant we always go to - (they have the most amazing pastries) as well as a time for fellowship. Don't know when we will go again, as some of ladies are headed back North, and one is going on vacation. We will probably have to postpone this until next fall.

in the background you can see clothing drying on the fence

                           bedrolls on the far side of the walkway all the way from Mexico to the US border  

people sleeping in the sun

if you look really closely at the second opening from the right you will see a charging corhanging from a cell phone - most of the people were on their phones

We were very surprised this week as we went to pock up the vegetables and other commodities for the colonias that there was a large amount - especially vegetables and fruits. There must be an overflow from the producers for which we feel so blessed to receive. We also had to pick up a very nice recliner donated to us - some family is going to be very happy! We leave those decisions to Ida, as she knows the residents in the colonias and who is in need of certain items. We also received very nice bed pillows and bedding. Still a few bags and boxes of food left at our doorstep, which we sort and distribute. Last week we have sparkling water, and diet root beer!!! Also the ever present Cheezis! We will have enough for about two more weeks - will we get more next fall? We have no idea but we  feel blessed on whatever we receive.

Fred will be done mowing lawn for the park then end of this month (he is ready to retire from that job) so he and a gentleman form the colonias are to to improve the area where the ladies put together boxes to be distributed. Some cliche (sort of crushed rock), pallets for stabilization, and plywood over that so the ladies will be on level ground and protected from the rain and mud on their feet.

There were few people in church this morning - perhaps because some on on vacation and some will not be back until fall. I was surprised as it was communion Sunday when more people seem to attend. As I said earlier, I was raised in an Italian Catholic home and attended parochial school the first few years of my life. At that time, taking First Communion was a huge step. My mother made my white dress, and I wore a pretty veil. At that time, we took communion when we were in first grade and were confirmed in 4th or 5th grade, whenever the bishop came around. I still have pictures of myself in the communion dress and veil (professional taken) with a small white prayer book and rosary in my hands ( gifts from a relative I suppose). I still remember that book (don't have any idea what happened to it) as being pearly white with Mother of Pearl Inlays. Strange that I do not remember any of it's contents though.

The sermon this morning was based on oppression - sort of fit into my earlier paragraphs about immigrantion. Oppression is described as unjust or cruel exercise of authority or power. We see this today in other countries, but it brings to mind the horrible oppression of the Jews during the Holocaust. I am reading a book right now about 10 Jewish people who have accepted Jesus as their Messiah and one of these ladies is a Holocaust survivor. She told of a few horrors of her imprisonment and mentioned there were so many more to terrible to mention. As a result of her inhumane treat, she underwent 27 surgeries when she was released. She lived her life with a hatred of the German Nazis until she began to read about Jesus and realized that He was the Messiah mentioned in the Jewish Bible (the old testament). It was at that time that she felt the need to forgive her tormentors. What a beautiful end to  story of oppression. Oppression is an obstacle which produces fear which then affect you spiritually and physically. If you feel depression you feel broken and beaten. Pray about your feelings and rely on the Lord to get you through this part of your life.