WEEKLY DIGEST
FRIDAY, JULY 18, 2014
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1000 Children
By Rev. Dr. Dottie Escobedo-Frank
It didn't look like anything out of the ordinary for the border town of Nogales. My hometown is used to seeing Border Patrol facilities, and we have always noted the humanitarian actions of the staff. They see the same things we do on the ground, and you can't be human without being moved. So, when a group of United Methodist pastors and church leaders met outside the facility that housed about 1,000 unaccompanied children that we'd been hearing about in the news, well... I wasn't so impressed. We met outside a gate-like entry that said, "U.S. Border Patrol, Nogales, Arizona." That was it.

But Special Operations Supervisor, Gustavo Soto, met us outside the gate and began telling us the story of the children. About a month and a half ago the children started arriving from Texas. There are typically around 1,000 children, sometimes more, sometimes less. All the children in this facility are unaccompanied minors. Ok, I don't know about you, but that fact alone took my breath away. The oldest is 17, and the youngest was a newborn, delivered at Holy Cross Hospital in Nogales.

Children come in and out in the processing ritual. Sometimes 300 children are bused in per day, and the same go out. You can see the buses on the hillside. While there, they get bathed, medical care, and they make phone connections with family members. They have Red Cross volunteers to play with the children, and Chaplains help with the spiritual needs. They are divided into age groups and gender, and sibling groups are allowed to see each other whenever they ask. They have a playground. And they have toys. Everyone falls in love with the children.

But the children wear the same outfits while inside, and they have strict protocol to keep everyone healthy. And they are not allowed to leave, of course, for this is only a stopping point along their already-lengthy journey. They seek a land of freedom and possibility, but this is a necessary pause along the road.

We asked questions about why they came here...

 ...click here to read more
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NOTES
DIGEST OF DSC NOTES

[Miscellaneous Notes] Disciple Fast Track Beta Test Leader
Churches from the Desert Southwest Conference are invited to participate in a new Disciple Fast Track Bible Study as Beta Test Leaders. This Disciple Bible Study has a dynamic new format that allows participants to encounter the Bible in less time. Please watch this short video from Bishop Wilke and his wife about Disciple Fast Track http://tinyurl.com/disciplechurch or visit http://www.disciplefasttrack.com to find out more about becoming a Disciple Fast Track Beta Test Leader.

[Prayer Notes] Prayers
Prayers are requested for Reverend Jeff Procter-Murphy of Dayspring UMC and his family. Rev. Procter-Murphy's dad, John E. Murphy Jr. died on Saturday, July 12, 2014. Please keep Rev. Procter-Murphy and his family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Condolences may be sent to Rev. Procter-Murphy, and family at Dayspring UMC, 1365 E. Elliot Road, Tempe, AZ 85284-1608.

[Prayer Notes] Bishops Call UMC to Prayer
The Executive Committee of The United Methodist Council of Bishops is calling all United Methodists to pray, reflect on God's Word, and engage in acts of compassion. To read the Bishops' statement about the July 18-20, 2014 "Interfaith Weekend of Compassion and Prayer for Unaccompanied Migrant Children" and a "Pastoral Letter" from the United Methodist Bishops in Texas visit http://www.umc.org/news-and-media/bishops-urge-compassion-prayer-for-border-crisis .


EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

Sunday, July 20
- Conference UMW Mission U

Monday, July 21
- Potosi Sr. High Camp "Get Real-Finding Your True Self!" (through Friday)

Tuesday, July 22
- Christian Education Meeting - Conference Call 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Thursday, July 24
- Communications Training 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

Friday, July 25
- Foundation - Investment Committee Teleconference 9:00 am - 10:00 am
- PAUMCS Meeting 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

(for more details on calendar events, please visit the DSC Events Calendar)


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