By Bob Shanks
The busy traffic zoomed around the eleven Christians as they silently marched down the side of the Pan American Highway in Douglas, Arizona moving slowly and deliberately toward U.S./Mexico border. Curious on lookers walking and in cars slowed and stared as each Christian stopped and held up a small white cross and said the name of the deceased Mexican national that the cross represented, some represented undocumented remains, some were children. The cross was then placed against the curb in silent testimony for these needless deaths. The sight of these forty crosses stretched out for over two blocks in the setting Arizona sun evoked a lot of emotion. Only forty crosses to represent the hundreds of deaths that are occurring in our Arizona desert! Over 1700 have died since 1998 seeking jobs in the US!
Taking part in this weekly prayer vigil Tuesday July 2, 2002 were Dick Kampa and Bob Shanks of St. Andrews Missions Team. The trip to help evaluate our Missions Support for this organization turned into a moving prayer vigil that neither would soon forget.
For two blocks and for over an hour this 82nd weekly prayer vigil, conducted by Pastor Mark Adams of the Presbyterian Frontera de Cristo’s "Healing our Borders" ministry, marched slowly and prayed for the families of these lost individuals. Not only did the group pray for the families but for our governmental leaders on both sides of the border for improved bi-national relationships and for positive changes that will help end death in the desert. This seems to be an insurmountable problem that prayers to our Lord Jesus Christ can help resolve, hence the purpose for this weekly prayer vigil.
The small white crosses laying against the curb of the Pan American Highway in Douglas, Arizona are mute reminders of the hundreds of needless deaths that take place in our desert as our neighbors set out on the dangerous trek from Mexico to the US hoping for a better life and income for their families. This year the deaths are very high due to the sustained record setting heat.
This week, a mother died three miles east of Douglas with her two children at her side, a twelve year-old and his four year-old brother. Some of Pastor Adams friends and supporters of this missionary work found the boys hugging each other and crying at a US Customs check point as they waited to be sent back to authorities in Mexico.
Healing Our Borders (HOB) is a Douglas Arizona, Agua Prieta Sonora based, interfaith group praying for all migrants, especially the families of those who have needlessly died in the desert and for families that have not heard from loved ones and do not know their whereabouts or conditions. HOB delivers blankets and other items needed by migrants. This ministry also cleans the deserts and lands of items that are left behind by these migrants in their desperate journey for a better life. And HOB tries to educate people on both sides of the border about the dangers of trying to trek across the desert. For many, coming from deep within the interior of Mexico such as tropical Chiapas State where they only know the jungle and can’t understand a desert with no rivers or lakes.
If you want to take part in Pastor Adams' weekly prayer vigil contact him at fcristo@c2i2.com or call him at (520) 364-9257 in Douglas, AZ. Get directly involved in missions for Christ and consider doing more through our own St. Andrews missions committee. We support over 30 groups. WE are to make disciples for Christ and get the good news of salvation out to the world.
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| Mark Adams, Frontera de Cristo Pastor, holds up one of forty crosses with each bearing the name of a Mexican border crosser who has died in Arizona deserts in the past 18 months. Christians visiting the Frontera ministry in Douglas/Agua Prieta take part in the weekly prayer vigil held at the U.S/Mexico border. After each cross is held up and the name of the person on it is said aloud the group says in unison, “Presente.” Then, the cross is rested on the curb and the group moves on to repeat the ritual until the names on all crosses have been announced and all the white wooden memorials have been laid down for passers-by to see. This is followed by prayers offered by the group to God for a solution to the tragedy that affects so many lives. |
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