20 Jun Follow-Up to Border Crisis

Hi Friends,

I am grateful to hear that an executive order was signed, ending the forced separation of children from parents at the border. I realize, again, that the issue of immigration is a complex one, and one that pushes us to react emotionally. Part of being a part of a multiethnic church is learning how to grow in loving people from very different backgrounds from us, with very different concerns and even worldview. When we become Christians, it sets us on a journey toward Jesus with one another, and when He places us with people as He sees fit (1 Corinthians 12), what it means first and foremost is to learn to hear people and see people and love people in entirely new ways, ones that even make us feel as comfortable at first. Look at that first group of disciples: former tax collectors, political revolutionaries, skeptics, businessmen, with various levels of education. No wonder he kept telling them to humble themselves and love one another!

I am more convinced than ever at the power that a church like Mosaic has for helping grow as mature Christians. Depending on what your background is, if you were never at a church like Mosaic, you could possibly never hear about something like this, or it could be all you heard about, indefinitely. Moments like these give us a chance to carry one another’s burdens in ways we might not have ever considered or imagined.

What kind of people do we want to be? What kind of people do we want to grow into? A church like Mosaic holds out the promise—and sometimes pain—of becoming a whole new kind of kingdom citizen, one like the world says can’t, or doesn’t exist.

As you heard last week and on Sunday, we have been looking to find responsible organizations with which to partner, as well as some opportunities to personally get involved with serving children in vulnerable positions right now at our borders.

At the end of this email will be a number of links to a variety of organizations that can help, and through whom you can give financially.

Second, if you would like to get involved further, beyond financially, we have spoken with two different members here at Mosaic, both attorneys, who are familiar with the ins and outs of what is happening at the border, and are happy to direct you.

They are:

Carla Leticia Sanchez-Adams
Managing Attorney
Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, Inc.
Tel: 512-374-2763
Fax: 512-447-3940
Toll-free: 800-369-9270
carla@mosaicchurchaustin.com

Carla is a deacon at Mosaic, is fluent in Spanish, is a former missionary overseas, and has quite the perspective on international affairs.

And

Meagan Harding.
Meagan is a senior attorney for the Texas Civil Rights Project, will actually be going to South Texas this weekend, and would welcome a group from Mosaic to accompany her. She can direct you on how to connect with her and what kinds of volunteer needs exist. You can reach her at:

409-651-3954
meagantharding@gmail.com

Blessings,
Morgan

Ways to volunteer or donate:

RAICES is serving those detained in Pearsall. They seek funding to hire a coordinator to service that population. RAICES also has a family reunification bond fund being used to pay bonds and provide legal services to separated parents—the bond fund will be available to anyone detained in Texas and it doesn’t matter whether they are a RAICES client. RAICES is also fundraising for their LEAF Project to provide services to released children (because the administration recently cut that funding).

The Young Center has volunteer opportunities for child advocates (no legal experience required at all) and you can also donate to the Young Center.

Texas Civil Rights Project is coordinating to meet with people initially at Federal Court to get names and numbers of separated families.

ProBAR is serving both children and adults that have been separated. Most separated parents are going to the Port Isabel Detention Center and ProBAR services this facility. There is a real specific need here as this is ground zero. Select “Commission on Immigration-ProBAR” for the designation on the donation form.

Migrant Center for Human Rights is serving detained asylum seekers providing direct representation.

CARA Pro Bono Project at Dilley Family Detention Center.

Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley shelters immigrants who’ve recently been released from U.S. Border Patrol custody.

Diocesan Migrant & Refugee Services is the largest provider of free and low cost immigration services in West Texas and says it’s the only organization in El Paso serving unaccompanied children.