Ferguson: How can I curse who God has not cursed?

My soul is in distress. I have fought within in myself whether or not I should post my opinion of what has taken place in Ferguson, Mo. I have wondered if it is even worth it to maneuver through my inward struggles with the situation. As I scanned the newsfeed of my Facebook last night I was overwhelmed by the ignorance and insensitivity that many of my friends displayed toward this case. These things more than any, led to my hesitation to raise a voice.  However, I have come to believe that every voice is important and needs to be heard… even my own.

A Call for peace 

My main focus in this post is to lead the reader to a place where they can hope and pray for peace. I realize that in order for peace to move passed an idealistic concept, we must actively pursue it. That means we cannot just sit back in hiding expecting peace to appear. No, we must fight for peace by raising our force in the face of injustice. Peace cannot exist where justice does not prevail. Scripture tells us in the book of Ecclesiastes that there is “a time for war and a time for peace.” Yes, indeed for everything there is a season.  When justice is absent the time to fight is at hand; in order that we can turn and idealistic concept of peace into a realistic reality! 

A human life was lost

What does justice mean in this recent tragedy of Michael Brown’s death? What I find so hard is that both sides feel that they are in the right and they have been wronged. Nevertheless, we can all agree that Michael Brown losing his life is terrible. Regardless of the law of the land, it is the earth that cries out for the blood that was shed on its soil. This is an outright representation of the fallen-ness of our world and there is no other way to make sense of it. The command “ Thou shall not kill” forces us to recognize that human life is of value, especially to God and that it deserves the utmost respect. Criminalizing anyone including Michael Brown and justifying their death is just another testament to the how far our world has fallen.

Racial Tension is real 

The racial tension should not be pushed aside or ignored. This entire situation is an outcry from a people group who feel that they are unfairly treated. This is the justified uproar of a people whose history is immersed in being treated inhumanely, with prejudices and animosity. A people who were delivered from slavery. However, while there has been many steps forward and others may suggest that the struggle is over, those with my skin color are constantly aware of the daily struggle to succeed and the inequalities in this country. As an African American male, I stand behind these observations and can confirm them as true. 

They expect me to just let it go?

My biggest problem with all of this is I feel that many voices are demanding that I accept the decision that was made by the grand jury as justice. People are yelling that because Michael Brown was a “criminal” that he deserved to die and I am supposed to accept that. Was it not Jesus who promised paradise to the criminal who hung on the cross next to him (Luke 23: 39-43)?  I am upset that some people basically rejoiced in the riots that took place shortly after the decision was announced, because it allowed them to say, “I told you so.” I’m upset at the decision to change the time of the announcement to after the sun went down. Most of all I am upset that people expect me to just leave it alone and let it go. To watch the mother of Michael Brown send out a loud cry that made the earth tremble, and to just sit back and do nothing! It’s not happening! Not this time. This is just too much. I will not sit back I will not be silent and I will not give up on my people. 

Wake up and listen U.S.

It is time for the United States to wake up. It is time for the voices of the African American community to be validated in the eyes of the elite. These riots were cries from those who have yet to be heard. You could choose to blame those who were rioting or you can choose to blame everyone who ignored the voice of the black community and deemed it irrelevant. 

A word from the Lord

In the Book of Numbers, chapter 22, Balak the King of Israel begged a man named Balaam to curse Israelites saying, “Behold a people has come out of Egypt. They cover the face of the earth and they are dwelling opposite me. Come now, curse this people for me, since they are too mighty for me. Perhaps I shall be able to defeat them and drive them from the land, for I know that he whom you bless is blessed, and he whom you cursed is cursed.” 

I feel like there is a lot of pressure for me and others to curse African Americans people who are the people of this country who were recently brought out of slavery.
However, God said to Balaam, “You shall not go with them. You shall not curse them for they are blessed.” 

This continues a few chapters with Balaam refusing to curse God’s people because the word that God gives to him. Balaam gives three prayers blessing Israel each time God speaks to him, but the one that really spoke to me was his first. Number 23: 8-9 (ESV)

8How can I curse whom God has not cursed? 
How can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced? 
9For from the top of the crags I see him, 
From the hills, I behold him 
Behold a people dwelling alone, 
And not counting their self among this nation

So I ask you, how can I curse my people who God has not cursed? 
How can I denounce whom the Lord has not denounced? 
I see God 
And I see my people who feel alone 
And who do not count their self as a part of this nation 

I will not abandon my people! 

This is how I feel. I will fight for peace, but I will not abandon my people! I cannot. God has not cursed us, but has blessed us and cries out with us! 

This is not meant to be just a post a post. I am praying right now for proactive call from the Lord to make a difference. I have felt a call to prison ministry lately. I am trying to confirm this along with other calls. I will keep fighting for peace. However, as I said earlier, “ Peace cannot exist where justice does not prevail.” 

Putting a face to an "alien"

The last post I was left with a conundrum of what to do with my Christian faith and U.S. citizenship in the midst of what I was experiencing during my mission trip. A major revelation occurred during my morning bible reading in which a brilliantly orchestrated hermetical analysis was given to me and I was able to share it with the group during morning devotionals.   However, this will have to wait until the next post. The reason for this is one, I would like to keep these events in chronological order and the revelation I mentioned above happened on the morning of November 8th 2014 and the event I will highlight in this post happened on the evening of November 7th 2014, and two to explain exactly what God revealed to me in a post that captures the debt of it, but still is short enough for a blog post will take lots of hard work, so after this is posted I will immediately get to work on the next post!  

I will now to get to the main focus of this particular post. As you may recall, during the previous three posts our group was still on U.S. soil and had yet to move into Mexico’s territory. This is remarkable when I understand how much my eyes were already open to a new reality. After settling in a community center that was there as a resting place for people who did not have a place to stay, we were off to “Cena con CAME” a migrant shelter that provided resources for people who had no food and no place to stay. 

After hoping off the van, we gathered in the courtyard of the property while we introduced ourselves to four men who were currently staying at the shelter. We got a chance to listen to their stories of the horrible things they had experienced during their trip to the border. One man told us of the dangerous life of train hopping in Mexico. His friend and him were nearly shot as a Mexican soldier unloaded a machine gun in the train car they were riding in. He told us the terror of realizing how close the bullets were to their feet. They were then commanded to get out of the train car. They obeyed and both received some injuries from the jump off the train. Now they found themselves at gunpoint. The soldier gave them a command (what exactly it was has slipped my mind), the man who was talking to us complied and was unharmed, and unfortunately his friend did not comply and was shot. The bullet was not fatal, but I cannot begin to imagine how terrified they must have been.

For the first time during my mission trip journey I was faced with the reality that the country of Mexico soldiers were not the most humane of characters and actually increased the danger for people who were pursuing the dream of heading into the U.S. What was I supposed to do with this information and should that change how I feel towards the U.S. and our less than desired relationship with migrant people? 

After hearing a few more stories, we headed into the dining room area to share a meal with the men, women and children who were staying at the shelter. The excitement was evident and my nerves bouncing due to my lack of Spanish. We blessed the food and I settled down next to Omar (one of the men in our group who was not allowed to go the Border Patrol office tour). Directly across from me was a middle age Mexican mother and to the left of her were two teenage boys who were not her sons, but who she agreed to care for as her own as long as they were both in the shelter.   

The mother and her family’s story were heartbreaking. Her and her family (Husband and three children) had made a living for their selves in the U.S. None of the family were U.S. citizens expect for the woman’s youngest daughter. I do not recall if they were deported or they were visiting a family member who was ill (after all Omar was translating for me), but somehow they were on Mexico’s side of the border. The shelter informed them about the dangers and difficulties of cross the border today as opposed to years ago when the woman family first crossed. The workers of the shelter helped the women’s husband find a construction job so they decided to stay in Mexico, so as not to risk harm to her family or the loose her daughter who was a U.S. citizen. 

Interestingly enough, the two teenage boys who I thought resemble a famous boy band, viewed crossing the border as an adventure. In their boyish youth, they did not fully comprehend nor did they seem to care about the dangers they would encounter in making the attempt to cross. They have family that lives in Indianapolis and if they could make it successfully they were going to attempt to meet up with them. It occurred to me that they had no clue how far it was from the region of Arizona they would be into Indianapolis. But again in their boyish youth they just viewed it as an adventure. They were in school in Mexico and had come up with an excuse as to why they need to be gone for a week. Their first attempt failed and I got the impression that they were going to give it one more shot and if they didn’t make it they would return home. 

This post has simply been real life experiences of people which I think is just as powerful as any profound revelation and perhaps is a revelation in its own respect. I tell these stories in hope that the reader, whoever you are, are able to put faces and personalities on those people who are called “aliens” or immigrants. First and Foremost we must remember that these people are just that, people, created in the image of God. 

I pledge allegiances to ... the U.S. or My Lord?

The time was about 1:15 p.m. on Friday of November 7th, 2014. The group had just finished our first lunch together and we were headed to the van when suddenly Mark called us back to the entrance of the restaurant. We form a circle, and I assume that we are about to pray over our next step of the journey. Unfortunately, that was not the case and Mark had some bad news. While we were eating, Mark received a call informing him that three of the five Hispanic members of the group would not be allowed to receive a tour of the Border Patrol office. The sorrow was immediately recognizable in the eyes of the majority of the group, but so was the daring determination to not let this defeat or overcome our morale.

Personally, I was so impacted by the scripture reading at the Border Infrastructure Tour and so delighted with the food that we had just received that when we were standing in the circle I did not even comprehend what Mark was telling us. It wasn’t until we were leaving the Border Patrol office that Sister Christine who is Hispanic and was allow to take the tour, informed Omar, “ I didn’t ask them why a man with U.S. citizenship and a U.S. Passport could not take a tour, but I really wanted to.”

Around 2:00 p.m. we arrived at the Border Patrol office. Our leader Mark (who is a white male) choose to stay outside with the members of our group who were not allowed to receive the tour. The rest of the group headed inside to receive our guest passes. Again at this point I was still oblivious to the irony of the entire situation, but now that I recall the situation I realize that the older members of the group were well aware of the tension in the room. 

Our tour guide who was one of the Border patrol officers led us into the building. She was young and pretty and to be quite honest she appeared to be completely opposite of whom I expected to see working in the border patrol (more about her story later). We entered a hallway with many pictures hung on either side. ATVs, Helicopters, Drones, Patrol officers on horses were all highlighted in these photos.  Previous and current generals and commanding officers pictures displayed.

Unexpectedly as I walked with the rest of the group and listen to the Border Patrol officers I was overcome with a strong sense of patriotism. The arguments concerning the safety and concerns of the nation that were stated were beginning to take priority over the strong experience of God’s presence of the Border Infrastructure.

Thing such as:

• The Border Patrol prides itself on ensuring that drugs from Mexico do not enter the U.S.
• After 9-11, it has become a main priority of the Border Patrol to stop the threat of terrorist entering the U.S. from the Border of Mexico and the U.S.
• We have laws and a system set up for people who want to become citizens and it is not fair for those who are doing this legally to allow those who are not to bypass the process.

These were the rehearsed talking points of the border patrol tour guide

.

One of the women in our group asked the question I’m sure everyone was wondering, “How did you (The Border Patrol officer) get involved in the Border Patrol.” Seriously, saying that she was young a pretty does not even begin to explain the women that stood before us. Nothing about her said Border Patrol, it crossed my mind a time or two that there is no way this young lady agrees with everything this organization stands for. The first red flag I got is when she told us she grew up in Boston.

“Well”, she responded, “when the economy tanked there were not very many job opportunities.” I could not really afford college, but I really wanted to further my education. I was tired of working server positions so I started researching different opportunities.” That brought her to the government position of the Border Patrol which is rich in opportunities for one to further their education. “I never started out saying I really want to work on the Border Patrol… it was just an opportunity that I took advantage of that helps me pursue my goals.” It was obvious that she did not plan to work with the Border Patrol the rest of her life. She needed a job that would help her pursue her goals and she found that in the Border Patrol.

This is where I feel like the irony of the situation cripples me. This woman from Boston could not find a good enough job up North to help her meet her goals due to the poor economy. The jobs that she could find, she quickly realized that they were not going to take her far in life and nowhere near her personal goals. Thus, she migrated from here homeland of Boston to the Southwest region of the U.S. to acquire a job that gave her the finical stability and the educational opportunities she desired. It just so happens that the job she has chosen is to stop people from doing the exact same thing!

Please someone, tell me if I am missing something here. I mean to be so concerned with keeping people out of this country that three of my Hispanic friends could not take a tour with us is ridiculous. I might add that of the three members that were told they could not go in, one was born in Guatemala, but had since moved to the U.S. He has a college degree from a U.S. University in Business, he speaks perfect English and currently lives in the U.S. He is a U.S. citizen with a U.S. Passport. The other two work with the ministry organization Frontera de Cristo which is an U.S. organization. They have visited the U.S. to talked with Churches many times about immigration and Café Justo, thus have received numerous Visas for visits to the U.S.

Once I realized what happened I approach Omar and apologized on behalf of my country. I was so hurt and embarrassed. It hit me that what had just happened was an old fashion act of discrimination. At this point in the trip, I stood faced with the conundrum of pledging allegiances to my Lord and my U.S. Citizenship. Should it be one or the other? Where was God going to lead me now…?

Fenced in

"People should not be dying trying to live and find work for  their  family" Mark Adams demanded as he revealed to us how many sojourners have lost their lives in the Arizona desert. 

 

Friday November 7, 2014 had arrived and after a breakfast at a nearby hotel from the Shalom House, it was finally time for Bob and Carol and myself to meet the rest of the posse. Slowly but surely we all arrive at the Frontera de Cristo headquarters in Douglas, Arizona. The process of trying to feel each other out had begun. Chairs were arranged in a circle with our “Border to Border: Coffee, Migration and Faith” booklet in the seats with our names listed in the bottom right-hand corner of the booklet. I found mine and sat down as we prepared for biblical reflection. The passage for the day was Ephesians 2: 1-22. Verses 14- 18 stuck out to me the most:

14 For Christ himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. Christ purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 Christ came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through Christ we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

I love how Paul explains how Christ has made peace and destroyed the barriers and dividing walls of hostility. Our Lord and Savior makes peace, creating a new humanity out of what once was two. This word of God hits so hard.

 After the introductions and reflections we hopped in the van and do not stop until we approached one of the largest (and ugliest) fences I have ever seen.

It was time for the border infrastructure tour. Taking into consideration the passage we just reflected on, this border infrastructure presented itself as a stark contrast to Paul’s words. Having realized this, I was immediately struck with sorrow.

We climbed out of the van and were able to see that the fence extended as far as the eye could see in both directions.

 We also quickly became aware of the border patrol officer with the large border patrol suburban and his machine gun, watching us intently.

About every 200 to 300 yards, a tall pole towered out of the ground with several cameras on the top. As we drove towards the hills I looked through the gaps on the fence and saw a town on the other side which I later discovered was Agua Prieta. It didn’t look too much different than the side we were on, but someone felt it was necessary to spend millions of dollars for this barrier of a fence.

Our plan was to drive up the large hill but, officers on the U.S. and Mexico side had stop on the road to talk so we stayed at the end of the fence. 

Mark Adams asked us to walk up and touch the fences. As we were holding on to it he read the passage to us and asked us to repeat after him. In unison we chanted, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ… For Christ himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility… Christ purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace and in his one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility…” We continued through the rest of our passage.

“My goodness, that was powerful,” I thought to myself. There was  something  that appeared to be freakishly wrong as we reflected on  Scripture and stood by the fence.

We climb back in the van all awestruck from our experience and the obvious presence of the divine in the reading of Scripture. We then ate at another wonderful Mexican restaurant and prepared to visit the U.S. Border Patrol headquarters.

So now we head to the place where it is the Border  patrol  government workers duty to ensure that “outsiders” are not successful in their attempt to cross into the U.S. What will that be like?  

Shalom (Peace) House

Welcome all!

These next series of post will be highlights the events, difficulties and spiritual implications of my border to border trip from Auga, Prieta Mexico to Chiapas, Mexico. Our trip was organized and led  by Frontera de Cristo. It was very well done and I am extremely impressed with my experience so if you are looking for a mission trip I would highly recommend their organization.

Now to take you on my journey, Thursday November 6th, 2014 I wake up well aware that my luggage is half way packed and there are still some last minute things that need to be picked up from Wal-Mart before I head to the airport. However, this is of no surprise to my wife or me as I always seem to be in a dazed paralyzed state of mind right up until it is crunch time. Finally, after everything is gathered together Sarah drops me off at the airport I say my goodbye and Sarah sheds her tears, then I’m off to retrieve my boarding pass.

While I am on my short flight from Wichita to DFW I realize that my feelings about the trip are very stagnated. For one, my wife and I had just moved into a new apartment not even a week before the plane left the ground so we were not by any means fully unpacked. I knew nothing about the trip (however I did know that the Church I work at and the Presbytery offered to cover the cost so I was not going to turn it down). Finally, I was somewhat concerned about not knowing any Spanish.

After switching flights in DFW, I arrive at Tucson, Arizona where I awaited my bag. A women approaches me and ask, “Are you Damian?” and I respond, “I sure am” and she informed me that Jeff (a member of the FDC’s board) was ready to pick us up. The women’s name was Carol and her husband's Bod. Bod is a retired Methodist Pastor and Carol is a retired Math teacher. They both attend a Methodist/ Presbyterian congregation. I should also add they are two of the sweetest individuals I have ever met.

We arrived at a Mexican restaurant in a part of Tucson that is projected to be 90% Hispanic, needless to say the food was authentic Mexican food and the first fruit of what would be a plentiful harvest of tasty goodness that my teeth got the pleasure of plowing into! We learned very little from Jeff about our trip, but it was obvious that his purpose was to get from point A to point B and feed us. I did however learn that Jeff's Presbyterian Church which is 2 hours from the border did not really concern itself with the difficulties of immigration; and even in a town with a large Hispanic population their Church still lacks diversity and is predominantly white (Go figure welcome to the Presbyterian Church U.S.A denomination smh).

After a two-hour delay we said our goodbyes to Jeff and our caravan finally was on the road for a close to 3-hour journey to Douglas, Arizona where we would stay for the night. When we arrived we were greeted by Jack and member of the Mennonite denomination who transported us to the Shalom house (Shalom means peace in Hebrew). 

It sounds more epic than it was, but it was still pretty impressive. Jack informed us that his wife and he had a heart for taking in anyone who may needed assistance or a place to stay. 

They simply provide people in need with the things one needs to survive, food, shelter, care and love!  However, they realized that their own home was not big enough. 

So they bought a house to give to anyone who needed it at no charge. 

The house had two bedrooms one bathroom a living room, dining room, kitchen and laundry room.

Jack and Linda pay the utilities and if someone calls when it is open they are happy to let them stay.

It was a wonderful example of the love of Christ. This set the tone of the trip that Carol, Bob and I would experience. A couple who was willing to open their arms to people in need!

Oh yeah… I’m going to Chiapas Mexico today for a mission trip

Yeah you read it right. Today November 6, 2014 I’m will be heading to Mexico on a mission trip. The organization I am traveling with is the Frontera de Cristo mission organization located in Douglas, Arizona. The Southern Kansas Presbytery is sponsoring the trip and I think it’s safe to assume that I will need to create a presentation with photos and notes about my experience in Mexico. The Mexican citizens in the area surrounding and of Chiapas have developed a source of economic stability through coffee harvest. A partnership has been established between the local farmers who deliver their coffee beans to the processing plant and the plant workers that ensure that the coffee beans are cleaned, dried, and packaged up to sent to the United States where they have partnerships with Church organization like the Presbytery I am currently working under.

I am sure I will have a great time meeting everyone and learning the difficulties facing the Mexican people. Nevertheless, to be honest, I am very indifferent about the trip. For one I found out about the trip about a month and a half before today.  Secondly, I believe concerning this trip the term “Mission” should be used loosely as it appears the more suitable name for the trip should be observational trip. That is to say, it appears we (I and the other member who are from all over the U.S.) will be observing the things that are going on in this region of Mexico and relaying that information back to our Churches so we can continue to support their business. Perhaps, it’s safe to say it is a mission trip, but just one where we help the citizens continue to gain the support they need to support their economy. Third there seems to be no inclination that we will either join in fellowship with the Mexican citizens for worship or get to preach the gospel. Romans 1:16-17 (I must say getting to preach through a translator in Vietnam to a good number of Vietnamese college students was one of the greatest things I have done to date.)

I’m excited because I am well aware that whether we are worshiping or not God will always reveal His presence in mighty ways. I cannot wait to see the geography of the region. I have been told we will hike in the mountains and visit a big waterfall and of course I’m going swimming no matter how cold the water is. I want to give a special thanks to my Church family, Trinity PresbyterianChurch for their strong support and prayers on this journey. Also I would like to thank my wife for letting me travel the southern region of Mexico, especially since we just moved in to a new place less than a week ago. There are many other things in which I am concerned and many other things that I am excited about.  The most important thing now is that you (the reader) know that I will be gone from November the 6^th – 15^th. Most importantly I ask for your prayers as I depart on this new adventure!

Damian Berry

PS: The Barth series will be on hold until I get back