Dear friends,

Pastor Jocabed Gallegos shared, “When the children from the Ministry of Educational Enrichment receive a visit from a group, they often ask, ‘take a picture of me.’” It reminded me of when I was little and growing up in the Frontera de Cristo ministry. We not only asked for the photo, but also the visitor’s signatures. I always wondered; will they remember me? For me, the signatures were my way of saying “I will remember you; when you visit me it is not fiction, it is a reality. I had a moment in my life when I met you and your signature confirms it, just as your photograph confirms that you interacted with me, and I will always be a part of your life.”

The act of remembering is a part of our faith. In the sharing of bread and wine, Jesus Christ asked us to remember that his teachings were a part of us in our living, eating, fighting, walking, healing, forgiving, reconciling, building, and more. While he called on us to remember, we, in turn, ask through our prayers that we be remembered.  

The presence of each person who comes to the borderlands to meet us leaves a deep mark in the lives of the people with whom we live, whether at a meal, in a conversation, or sharing a greeting. The effort to be part of us at the border has great value; perhaps that is why we invite you, come and “take a picture of me.” REMEMBER ME!

Peace,

Joca, Catherine, and Dan

Through the photo, we remember our host family from our 2017 Border-to-Border Delegation to Chiapas.

Celebrating With Poetry

by Lorena Ocampos Campos, Pastora de Niños y Familias

Poetry has the power to intoxicate our senses, especially when it is

discovered, understood, and shared as if with the spirit of the poet.

The Children’s Enrichment Ministry, through its work at multiple sites around Agua Prieta, Sonora, reaches out to children who, for a variety of reasons, have diminished self-esteem. With their many life-challenges, their young lives become increasingly difficult in compounding ways, including risk of failure in school. As the ministry continues to expand, it touches more and more young lives, giving them skills, encouragement, and the experiences of success.

Their greatest joy came with sharing their new discoveries—using their voices, they presented the poetry to an appreciative audience. The applause was not their only reward. They learned the joy in understanding and sharing the creative word.

We thank God for the little ones and their families, who are a part of this Frontera de Cristo ministry. Our future is brightened by their young lives. 

We Were Reminded that There Is Darkness…

by Catherine May

After one month of living and working in DouglaPrieta, we have become keenly aware of the ease with which we became disconnected from the reality of migrant deaths. In the comfort of our Tempe home (a four-hour drive north), we often think of the borderlands as a connectional space for friendships, growth, loving service, and faith development. While the region continues to be all that, it is also a place of grief and remembrance… a reality we are reminded of each Tuesday evening during Healing Our Borders (Sanando Nuestras Fronteras) Prayer Vigil.

The cross planting for

Roberto Covarrabias Raygosa

Café Justo's 20th Anniversary Update

Join us at Café Justo y Mas in Agua Prieta

Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5

for the celebration of Café Justo's 20th anniversary. 

Yes, we're having two days of celebration!  There'll be food, music, folk dancing and, of course, Café Justo! Please note the time change: the main celebration on Saturday will now be earlier in the day (11am to 3pm) so that folks from nearby cities (think Tucson and Phoenix and environs) can get home a little earlier. 

It's a celebration you won't want to miss! Frontera de Cristo and Café Justo have put together a 2-day smorgasbord of anniversary events including, but not limited to—

• biblical reflections with the coffee growers,
• a guided prayer walk along the border wall murals,
• a border infrastructure tour, 
• “Loteria” by Café Justo,
• music and folk dancing, and
• preparing coffee drinks with the baristas of Café Justo.

And there'll be meals galore! You won't go hungry. Although there's a small charge for lunch and dinner on Friday and breakfast on Saturday, the main anniversary celebration with lunch on Saturday is free! Come one, come all, and help us celebrate 20 amazing years! 

First, see what's in store for you ... Download the schedule of events 

And then ... Reserve your place and buy your tickets here

Café Justo Video 

The Dedication of Café Justo y Mas

June 4, 2016