Good News From the Border: Freedom and the Cross?

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March 31, 2026

31 de marzo 2026

Cultivating Relationships

and Understanding

Across Borders

Children's Enrichment Ministry Art Exhibit

"Definiendo la Libertad" / "Defining Freedom"

Dear Friends,

On March 5th, after decades of going to the part of God's creation that is now the US/Mexico border to reflect, to pray, and to learn with delegations that visit with us, the US Border Patrol told us that the Department of War had closed the border road (the dirt access road that runs parallel to the US-Mexico border) because of "the escalation worldwide."

Since 1997, each US administration has spent billions of dollars building a dividing wall of increasing hostility to separate our community, and yet we continued to gather in the shadow of the wall with "DANGER DO NOT ENTER" signs on it, to witness to gospel truths that God is our peace, and that in Jesus, God has torn down the dividing wall of hostility, has created one new humanity out of the two, and is building us into a holy dwelling in which God dwells by God's spirit. (from Ephesians 2:11-22).

Through annual liturgical events like the Good Friday "Stations of the Cross" and the Christmas "Posada Sin Fronteras," and cultural and recreational events like the bi-national border run, border sunrise yoga, and round table conversations, we have witnessed to the reality that the border can and should be a place of encounter and understanding instead of a place of division and fear.

Even as our government puts up further obstacles, we remain committed to cultivating relationships and understanding. We are grateful for your partnership—your encouragement, prayers, and support are cherished.

Peace,

Mark

Good Friday "Stations of the Cross"

For more than 20 years on Good Friday we gathered on border road about 5 miles east of town before the sun came up to remember Jesus' suffering at the hands of the religious and political powers of his day and his journey to the cross.

We processed into town reading scripture, reflections and prayers that our colleague Jim Perdue adapted the traditional stations of the cross in order for us to see the suffering of our sisters and brothers who are migrating or living in the US without documentation through the lens of Jesus' passion.

We have created a document with images from the fourteen stations along the border together with the Scripture readings, reflections and prayers. We invite you to journey with Jesus and those that the political powers of our day demonize and join us in spirit by reflecting on and praying through these Border Stations of the Cross.

Border Stations of the Cross

An Afternoon of Exploration and Blessing

by Ximena Medina, FDC Social Media Coordinator

I RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY to accompany our Educational Enrichment Program sites to Rancho San Bernardino, with the purpose of spending an afternoon in fellowship and harmony alongside the team members of Cuenca Los Ojos and volunteers who were visiting this space.

Cuenca Los Ojos is a non-governmental organization that works for the conservation of wildlife flora and fauna, especially advocating for ecosystems and animals that have been affected by the construction of the U.S. wall along its southern border with Mexico.

This wall not only attempts to divide people, but also daily affects the species that share the Earth with us: the lights installed along it blind birds and flying animals, with the bat being a clear example. A species responsible for pollination and pest control can hardly carry out this vital process in the perimeter near the wall.

Continue reading, in English or in Spanish, and view photos

Members of the Educational Enrichment Program and Cuenca Los Ojos
enjoying each other’s company. See Video

Got Coffee?

Click here to order

CAFÉ JUSTO IS AVAILABLE AGAIN. The new price through the coffee and compassion order page will be $15 per pound, which includes shipping, with a two-pound minimum. This price reflects the first increase in price in 4 years and only the second increase in 14 years which, when combined with the falling value of the dollar, the 150% increase in the Mexican minimum wage over the last 6 years, and the pandemic-fueled inflation, led to severe cash flow issues for the coffee cooperative. The new price of $15 went into effect February 1, 2026. Orders placed by 8:00am (MST) on Tuesdays will be shipped on Thursday of the same week.

Welcome Them With Coffee

FRONTERA DE CRISTO AND CAFÉ JUSTO CREATED the "Love Mercy, Do Justice" (Amar Misericordia, Hacer Justicia) initiative to provide coffee for migrant shelters along the southern border. Thousands of women and men each week are greeted with a cup of coffee, a meal, and vital medical attention when they are repatriated into Mexico. You can help support this effort with a donation to Love Mercy, Do Justice.

Donate to the Capital Campaign for CAME

CAME is one of Frontera de Cristo's ministry partners located in Agua Prieta. CAME provides—

lodging, food, health care, and clothing to their guests
education and social awareness activities
support, care, and protection for children, teens, and adults
breakfast for older adults and food security for the entire community.

Your donation will help keep the doors of welcome and compassion open at CAME as they deal with the loss of international aid grants.

Download the CAME Capital Campaign Flyer

Donate Now to Support CAME

Watch the CAME Video

Order Your Café Justo Photo Book

THE CAFÉ JUSTO PHOTO BOOK is still available! Order yours now and learn about the founding families who brought the dream to fruition, and the process of growing coffee from seed to cup. It will give you a new appreciation for your morning cup of coffee!

Read about the benefits of Café Justo in the community and the unique ways some of their customers sell and serve the coffee. Get a glimpse of the activities that make the Café Justo y Más coffee shop a place for creativity, comfort, and camaraderie in Agua Prieta. And reminisce over photos of the fabulous 20th anniversary celebration.

The photo book is just $20. Or you can buy a box of 12 for $200. Shipping is included. Just scan the QR code above or click here to order online . Or download this order form to pay by check.

To access the QR codes in this newsletter, first download, to your cell phone, the "QR Code and Barcode Scanner" from Google Play. (You can use the same phone app to scan special sale barcodes at the grocery store!)

Our Children's Enrichment Ministry

Donate Now

to Support the Ministries of Frontera de Cristo

Frontera de Cristo is a mission partner of Presbytery de Cristo, one of four presbyteries comprising the Synod of the Southwest (Arizona and New Mexico) in the Presbyterian Church (USA).