Border, Drugs, and Rehabilitation

I welcome you to C.R.E.E.D.A. a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center located in the border town of Agua Prieta, Mexico. Along with drug and alcohol rehabilitation C.R.E.E.D.A. a Catholic ministry also provides psychological  for children and adults. The organization has developed a 12 step program for those who are a part of the program. Unfortunately, our group did not get a chance to learn what those twelve steps were, nonetheless the following stories I will share below will affirm the productivity and success of the program. 

Before I share these stories of successful rehabilitations I feel it will be helpful to provide some context concerning exactly what Agua Prieta is up against. As a border town, Agua Prieta became one of the ports in which drugs from Mexico would enter the United States. The recent movements of the U.S. government to ensure that drug lords will not have easy access to the United States soil have provided problem for the town of Agua Prieta. To be sure, I applaud this specific move of the U.S. government to fight drugs in our nation. Ideally one would hope that by cutting off the demand of the U.S. citizen the drug lords would consider some other occupation that would benefit the country of Mexico and its citizens. However, this is an unrealistic improbable expectation and the sad reality is that these drug lords have taken over the bordering cities causing a major problem of drug addiction. Thus, C.R.E.E.D.A. is doing a great justice to this Agua Prieta.

Now to introduce you to Estella. Estella is only 15 years old and has graduated the program, but she still visits nearly every day because of the family-like atmosphere and accountability she receives a C.R.E.E.D.A. Estella shared about the drug traffickers habits in Agua Prieta by informing us that these drug lords prey on younger children, because it is easier to take advantage of them.  They get the children addicted and/or selling their poison so these children are imprisoned to these traffickers their entire life. She described a very typical pre-teen/ teenager mentality of believing she knew better than her parents and she described her rebellious spirit. However, when her story took on a new scale of concern is when she confessed the age in which she started using drugs. Ten years old was the first time she used marijuana. At such a young age, she described the peer pressure of her friends. She declined a few times but after beings asked over and over she finally gave in. 

She became addicted and her parent quick realized what she was involved in and demanded she stop. By this time, it was too late, and Estella soon ran away from home looking for more and more drugs. She explained how marijuana had got boring so she looked for stronger highs. She took to the streets doing whatever she could to acquire more and more drugs.  She slept in abandon houses, under bridges and needless to say this was the lowest place for Estella as her reality had become hell on earth. One day Estella was walking on the street with one of her friends. She then saw her mom and uncle. They quickly took action are grab Estella against her will taking her back to her home. After contacting C.R.E.E.D.A., they enrolled her into the program holding on to the hope to get Estella back. 

Estella explained how at first she hated it. It was very difficult for her, but after a while she realized that they were not looking to hurt her but wanted to help her. She began to gain weight and felt alive again. She learned quickly that it was not a good thing to hang out with her old friends because of the temptation that presented its self. So as mentioned early she made a second home at C.R.E.E.D.A. Estella ended her story by saying, “ This is a great place to be and say no to drugs.” 

Estella was born in Douglas, Arizona thus she is a U.S. citizen. She has family in the U.S. and Mexico which is the case for some many people we came in contact with. Raymond another boy who was also a U.S. citizen had been a part of the program for 21 days. He was in the program to be healed from a marijuana addiction. 

After they shared our group got a chance to ask them a few questions: 

Q: It seems like parents could do the best they could to raise their children. They  could love, care and support them, but children can still end up on drugs; What advice would you give parents? 

A: Talk to them about drugs before their friends or other people do. 

Q: Why is there so much drug activity in Agua Prieta? 

A: The police are too lax. 

Q: In the U.S. there has been a recent push to legalize marijuana. Do you feel that that is a good idea? 

A: No, I believe it is wrong because marijuana is the door for other drugs, because after a person gets use to it they seek stronger drugs. 

A question was directed towards the issue of the time they are missing in school by being in the program. The response was it is better to miss a year of school to be healed than for the children to be allowed to attend school and risk being addicted to drugs their entire life. 

All in all, the organization is a beautiful ministry to the city of Agua Prieta. Unfortunately, the center has limited funding but this doesn’t seem to dampen the Spirit of everyone there. 
In my next post, we will venture into the desert to walk the trail that the migrants walk. I will show you the resting place for these weary travelers, the living water tanks setup at these spots and tough terrain of this region. See you soon! 

P.S. If you read my last post you may be curious as to where the scripture hermetical analysis is that I promised. In the light of the recent concerns in Ferguson Mo, I choose to direct that analysis towards the people in Ferguson. If you click here it will lead you to that post. Please continue praying for peace and justice for our nation in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! 

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.” 

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!

Barth series part 2 of 7 (On suicide)

Introduction: 

During my second year of Seminary, I had the pleasure of taking a yearlong “theology and ethics of Karl Barth” course at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary taught by Dr. John Burgess.  The year accounted for three credits hours in which we covered Karl Barth’s “Church Dogmatics Volume 3: The Doctrine of Creation Part 4.” The setup of the class was to read anywhere from 25-40 pages of Barth a week and produce a detailed outline of the material in the readings. We then would meet once a week to discuss the readings. At the end of the course, we were asked to prepare a 20-page paper that covered a main theme in the Church Dogmatics Volume. This series of blogs consists of sections from my paper that I wrote for the course. As you will see in the posts, I was specifically impressed by Barth’s discussion of ethical issues in the light of the Command of God and what he calls the exceptional case to that command. There are many other things that I loved in this volume that are not covered in these post, and I am in no way claiming to have fully comprehend what Barth is getting at, I just want to share some of my thoughts in hope to continue my theological pursuit after seminary!

Series introduction HERE

The first ethical case that will be discussed arises from the question: does the Command of God give freedom for man to take his own life? The Command that a person should protect human life (Thou shall not kill) surely should apply to a person’s own life. But, Barth also seems to suggest that a person may be forbidden to will life’s continuation.[1] The freedom of the Command of God means that God may demand such an exception. Barth appears to believe that for a person to seek to continue living at all cost, even against the Command of God could be a sinful and rebellious desire.[2]  Therefore, it may be that a person is called to offer their self.[3] This suggests that Barth agrees there is some type of honorable sacrifice which aligns with the Command of God. However, Barth rejects the view that a person can freely dispose of their life by their own will.[4] Even so, Barth does not see suicide as an unforgivable sin.[5]  Barth’s view of suicide is immersed in his reformed tradition. Not only does Barth describe suicide by reminding his reader that God sees and weighs the whole human life and not just one individual action, but he explains that there is no circumstance in which humanity is saved by works or their own actions as opposed to faith.[6]  This includes suicide. Thus, it is not correct to make a definitive statement about the subject of suicide and the eternal outcome of that decision. Barth also believes there could be a time when self-destruction equals self-offering.[7]  However, Barth would push vigorously for a person to withhold from such an action. The Command of God calls for respect of life, which is a gift from God. Barth is clear that he feels, in every case, Christians must avoid any arbitrary denial of the possibility of the exception.[8] 

Brief thoughts on Barth’s suggestions:

This is a remarkable approach to the ethical issue of suicide. Before coming in contact with Barth’s text, I was led to believe that the act of suicide was unforgivable due to selfishness and the fact that the last action of the person was a sin. But Barth calls us to bring to mind reformed theology and its confession that it is only by faith that we are saved not by works or individual actions. Thus, we as Christian must be careful to place such a graceless punishment on any one single action. I do not believe Barth is giving a free pass to someone who may take their own life. On the contrary, the command of God and the demand that “thou shall not kill” calls for respect of human life. And it is no hidden fact that Karl Barth is a big advocate of the following of the command of God; however he is an equal advocate of following the living and active God as he commands his people through their daily lives. The two must be continually weighed and evaluated through prayer and discernment to ensure that the Christian understands and follows the command of God. 

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[1]Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics; Volume 3, the Doctrine of Creation, Part 4, Edited by G.W / Bromiley and T.F. Torrance. S.l.: T. & t. Clark, 1961 P. 404

[2] Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics; Volume 3,the Doctrine of Creation, Part 4 P. 401

[3] Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics; Volume 3,the Doctrine of Creation, Part 4 P. 401

[4] Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics; Volume 3,the Doctrine of Creation, Part 4 P. 403

[5] Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics; Volume 3,the Doctrine of Creation, Part 4 P. 403

[6] Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics; Volume 3,the Doctrine of Creation, Part 4 P. 405

[7] Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics; Volume 3,the Doctrine of Creation, Part 4 P. 410

[8] Barth, Karl. Church Dogmatics; Volume 3,the Doctrine of Creation, Part 4 P. 411