Growing up I always loved that theme from one of my favorite fast food taco places in the states. Now it has a whole new significance. As a missionary to Mexico I have found that we are caught on hostile ground with both countries. When we are in Mexico, there are those who choose to blame us for the actions on the border and when we are home, we shoulder the burden of defending those to whom God has called us to mininster to. It is a precarious place to be to say the least. (I don't use the word "precarious" very often, I hope that it is spelled correctly!) One of the best things that we have read on the subject was from a guy that works with Chuck Colson's organization, Prison Fellowship, in which he made the point that one of the things that makes our country great is that we have established laws and enforced them. It sounds really simple, but living in a country in which the police cannot be trusted and are often bribed has given us a whole new appreciation for this characteristic of our country. So am I on the side of the USA in this matter? No, I would not say that either. It is hard to choose sides as we see that there have been many benefits from those who have labored in my country and assisted our economy. I believe that if we are going to hire and utilize the labor, we should be willing to assist with things like healthcare and schooling as part of the package. We have become very prideful at times as Americans and have overlooked Jesus' call to us to care for the poor among us. I believe that extends worldwide and not only in our "poor" neighborhoods in the USA. It is very sad that many of those who leave their families for work in the states leave for such extended periods of time. Many families have suffered because of this tendency as well. A good pastor friend of mine in Celaya has counseled his men not to go to the USA because they may not find any better life there and their family needs them in Mexico. There are whole neighborhoods in our city that have few if any men because they all have gone to the USA.
I feel as if I am rambling a bit, but you can see how complicated this has become. Unfortunately, there are many that we work with in Mexico who are uneducated and at times can become very passionate about the subject, so we would continue to ask your prayers as we strive to show the love of Christ and stay away from politics. The press is extremely biased and the people have a very limited view of the whole situation. The problem extends all the way to the President of the country who continues to fight for immigration rights when he should be fighting to make his country greater so that people would not want to leave.
Well, I have said enough. I hope that you have found motivation for prayer and compassion for those in your midst who are immigrants. It has become a difficult issue and continues to worsen. Please keep us and our children in your prayers.
Perfect love casts out all fear.
