Achuckallen

Instigating Better

God and Country

DORIAN and the BAHAMAS

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Dorian and the Bahamas by A-Chuck Allen

Where to start? Oh my stars! Hurricane Dorian came to the Bahamas and camped out on the little island of Freeport. On the east side of this tropical island, the best word to describe what I saw was DEVASTATION! There isn’t much that either wind or water hasn’t ruined on this place where sunshine and cruise ships connect affluent travelers to the clear aqua waters of the Caribbean.

It was hot and breezy when we arrived, and it didn’t take long to see that Dorian had left a calling card of trees snapped off like twigs and buildings destroyed by either the fierce winds or the water.

There isn’t enough fresh water here yet. The municipal water system is slowly catching up, but it’s nowhere near potable. Thank God for Convoy of Hope and Paula White Ministries. These folks have done a massive work already and eighteen-wheelers, filled with fresh water from Convoy of Hope are on their way. Paula White’s Chief of Staff, Todd Lamphere is a pretty amazing guy. He is like the hub that keeps the resources and the ministry work on track. Jensen Franklin’s ministry has jumped in and is providing huge support for the people here. One of my favorite groups, (of all time) is Operation Barbecue Relief. These guys, lead by a former Green Beret, with a prosthetic leg, is all in. Last year, Operation Barbecue Relief provided more than 1.2 million HOT meals following disasters and humanitarian crises. I’ve gotten to know these guys, through our work on the Southern Border and they are the real deal. They have committed more than 24,000 meals, each day. They are starting today with 5,000 meals and ramping up to 24,000 by Tuesday September 17.

I’ve seen people in triage units (thank you Samaritan’s Purse). I’ve seen people whose homes were literally washed away while they clung to trees, as the winds whipped and the water rose. But what I’ve really seen is the resilience of these fine people. It is fascinating. They aren’t looking for someone to come give them out of this mess. They want people to know that, with a little help, they can rebuild the Bahamas into an even better land.

Yes, I’ve seen some good people, doing some good work. Yes, I am proud of Sugar Hill Church for their sacrificial work. I am honored to be a small part of a process that is in full force, doing good work. But I am really, truly, encouraged at the faith community that has stepped in without regard to denominations and orthodoxy, and simply done good work for the Kingdom of God. My faith in our people and the people of the Bahamas is that we can indeed do more and do better, together. Between the sacrificial giving of God’s people, the willingness to go and serve people that could never repay you and the graciousness of a people that have just literally had their lives turned out to sea, my faith in our Creator is greater than ever.

His desire for His children to serve side by side,with no concern about who gets the credit, is being played out with the many faith focused partners here in the Bahamas.

Please join us. The needs are great and the people are more than worth it!

Go In Peace,
A-Chuck

More from the Southern Border

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More from the Southern Border by A-Chuck Allen

I am writing this articled from the El Paso Airport. The President is flying in and while I respect the office, POTUS is messing up my airspace and departure time!

I spent a few hours in Juarez, Mexico yesterday. I walked across the bridge from El Paso to Juarez and within five steps realized why people from Mexico and the Northern Triangle of Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras try anything to get into the United States. I visited a few shelters and saw what is in store for the folks that are awaiting their NTA (Notice to Attend). The NTA is a good indicator of their qualification to claim asylum in the States. Like him, hate him, or just cannot take the tweets, this administration has opened doors for faith communities to step in and help more than any administration than I have been aware of in my short 59 years on this planet.

As folks say, the proof is in the pudding. And here is the latest from the Southern Border of these great United States of America:

  • The guy in the picture above is Chief Clay Thomas of the El Paso Border Station #1. He’s a 25 year veteran of the Border Patrol. I’ve seen this guy interact with the Border Agents and Migrant families. I have tangibly felt the character, competence and commitment he brings to the job. I want to vote for him! This dude is all that is right with America. He loves baseball, he’s a family man, he’s a straight shooter and he’s the right man for what we need on the border! He’d make a great President, but then he’d have to take a demotion from his role. Here’s to you, Clay!
  • The administration’s MPP (Migrant Protection Protocol) is working. The threatened tariffs have forced the Mexican government to create a very nice shelter that can house some three-thousand people that have expedited notices to appear to plead their case for asylum. I visited that shelter on Tuesday while in Juarez, Mexico. I saw the food that they were being served by Mexican soldiers and it looked great. According to the folks in the shelter, “it was really good.” The people in the shelter are comfortable, safe and well cared for. They can only be there for two weeks before they either have their NTA or need to seek shelter elsewhere on the Mexican side of the border. That’s where the breakdown occurs. But there are faith groups, churches and NGO’s (non-governmental organizations) that are trying their best, but they need a lot of help. They need food, clothings, necessities and they need on-mission churches (stateside) to come to their little spot in this world and help make their stay productive (as in training them in real-world skills), comfortable (as in air conditioning, clean water, food, diapers, beds and generators), and meaningful (as in showing them the love of the Divine). Many of these folks are already returning to their home countries and the Mexican Department of Immigration (IOM) is delivering these folks as far as they can (Guatemala). Many will await their NTA, and many will be placed on US soil and discover a new community and the experience of living in the greatest country on the planet. It’s not ideal yet, but it is a far greater situation than just a few short weeks ago.
  • Families are only separated when they are proven to not be a family at all, the parent is a know felon with proven criminal activity, or the child/parent has a viral sickness, and that is temporary. To continue that line of political positioning is unfounded and irresponsible. But we can help by assisting the families that are placed on US soil and our friends at Care Portal are preparing a Border database that will allow families in the States (connected to churches) temporarily “adopt” these folks and meet their needs as they get acclimated to a new way of life. This is a joint effort with Care Portal, Operation Border Blessing, Sugar Hill Church and the United States Health and Human Services in Washington. I have found that all of these parties are committed to discovering long-tern solutions. When people claim that the church cannot work side by side with our governmental agencies, that’s just a lie. They are working with us. I’ve been on multiple telephone and zoom video calls putting this in place. They are no different than me and you. They just want us to offer some gratitude for what they do and help them to succeed.
  • The city of El Paso is in a state of shock and grief following the shootings last Saturday. After spending a few hours with victims at University Hospital, I stopped by “ground Zero (Walmart) and there were still hundreds of people there with flowers, candles and objects that, in some way, were conveying their deep sorrow. It was reverent and respectful. As you looked over the hill into the parking lot, it was startling to see the remaining cars of the victims parked in what feels and smells like a place where death resides.
  • My time of prayer and grief counseling included a family of three survivors. A daddy that had attempted to hide his wife and nine-year old daughter in a small office when the madman chased them down and shot all three. The dad is still in ICU and is touch and go. The wife had additional surgery and the little girl is still healing from her wounded thigh. This dad did what daddy’s are supposed to do…protect his family. The family is from Chihuahua, Mexico, some four hours from this Walmart. They had come to visit family in Juarez and shop a bit at Walmart and then head back to Chihuahua. Now, they face months of hospital recovery and rehab. My assurance to them was that the CHURCH would step up and make certain that they would be cared for. While I was with them, Pastor Paula White called and assured them with the same comfort and prayed with us all. More details on how you can help with that next week.
  • I was able to visit two of the Border Stations in the El Paso Region, agaion and I am happy to report that the numbers are still higher than the old normal, but are manageable to yje new normal, and the Border Patrol have done a great job. While at the centers, the agents displayed some of the biometric tests, document proofs and DNA rapid results. Not only did it amaze me, it shows the degree of commitment that while there is still so much to do, our Border Agents are doing a great job. Did I mention that I’d vote for Chief Clay Thomas in a heartbeat?

I’ll share more about how we can all help next week, but for now, please pray for El Paso. They are reeling from the fear, the new normal and the fact that their typically safe West Texas town has been thrust into the national spotlight in the worst possible way.

There is so much to do and I am working with many in preparing a more comprehensive serve strategy that can assist Migrant Families, Border Patrol Families and all involved. In the meantime, please pray for this dear family. They are in need of our financial assistance to continue remaining together through this trial. The doctors have prepared them that they will need to stay in El Paso for at least 7 months. That’s a lot of meals, housing and expenses for a small Mexican family. If you would like to help this family, please email me – chuck@achuckallen.com

One other encouraging word is that my good friend, Todd Lamphere has coordinated the efforts of the National Association of Christian Counselors to provide the spiritual, emotional and familial counseling and grief recovery counseling for any of the families that have been involved in this crisis, including the first responders.

Finally, I want to thank Sugar Hill Church! You folks are the most generous, gracious people ever! You have shared your pastor and your gifts with Migrant families, Border Patrol Officers, families in the midst of horrific grief and I am so grateful. I love you, Sugar Hill Church!

More to Come,
AChuck

The Hatred of Mass Shootings

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The Hatred of Mass Shootings by AChuckAllen

It seems so incredibly terrible that we now have to think of an active shooter at every place that large groups gather. I am beyond greived that this is the new normal in America. This evil could happen anywhere in our country.

There is no explaining how an individual can be so overcome by evil that they might actually load a magazine and empty it’s contents into the bodies of unarmed, innocent people. I understand that many of these evil perpetrators are mentally ill, but even in that state, it requires an evil presence that extends beyond the typical barbarian bigotry that resides in their souless person.

My heart breaks for the families in El Paso and Dayton. My heart still breaks for the familes at Sandy Hook, Charleston and Columbine. I am not here to ask for more stringent laws for guns, although I must ask, “why does any civilian need an assault rifle with extra large magazines filled with enough amunition to reel off multiple deaths in a few seconds?”

I am appealing to the churches and the people that attend them to rise up in a radical force of graciousness, kindness and service to our neighbors! I am asking each of you that read this article to start where you are and offer a graciousness to every person that your life crosses paths with. I am asking you use what you have and extend grace to the extent that it changes the narrative from what is wrong in our society to what is great about walking in the peace, power and presence of Jesus, the Son of the Living God! I am asking each of you to do what you can, and create an attitude of servanthood, that causes you to act more like Jesus and serve others as His story of the Good Samaritan describes.

I greatly appreciated the wise words of Dr. Jim Denison in the wake of these needless killings – “While society should obviously take all effective measures to protect itself, here’s my biblical point: Jesus can change any life he touches. He can heal any trauma. He can redeem any crisis. The God who turned a murdering Pharisee into a missionary of grace can transform anyone. The more secularized our culture becomes, the more evangelistic our churches must become. The more people during a crisis ridicule our prayers, the more they need our prayers. The more traumatized and victimized our society, the more vital our compassion.

As I write this article, I am on the way to El Paso to help minister to first responders and families that have been scarred forever by the evil hatred deployed by a madman intent on breaking our will and thus allowing evil to win.

I beg you, do not allow hate to win! Don’t allow the wild-eyed, bigoted haters infect you with their vile evil. Do not let the fear of hate-filled evildoers rob you of your peace! Do not give in to bigotry and to those who spew it from their mouths! Don’t buy the lies that good and godly people are extinct! To give in is to join these wicked, cowardly people in their desire to rid our world of people created in the image of God.

I plead with you to not join the ranks of “us versus them” in your conversations. Please don’t join the likes of talk show pundits on the right or left side of the aisle. To do is to grant the wish of every evil shooter that has ever walked the face of this planet. This isn’t about Republicans, Democrats, Independants or politics. This the result of sin and hate-filled hearts. Yes, politics and policy are part of the discussion, but we must cease the rediculous finger pointing and blame game.

The only way to defeat hate is to overwhelm it with love. Like many of you, I enjoy a good ol rip roaring dress down of whoever “the other side is.” But friend, we cannot afford to only see solutions in others! We can no longer cast blame to whoever or whatever is the “other side.” We can no longer fall prey to the ratings demons that clammer for our attention as we nod our heads as though the shtick they play is the gospel truth. We must have an answer within us, before the problem comes to our door. That solution has been clearly described in the four gospel writers, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. In short, it is a world striving to live more like Christ and walking away from the bait cast before us as though we were being fished for, only to be weighed, fileted and displayed as co-conspiritors in Satan’s grand game of evil.

For the first time in my ministry, I received a threat that disturbed me. I feared for my family, my church and my community. But hear me! I will not be detoured from the high calling to love one another and neither should you. It is in that faith-filled commitment that we will regain the sanity of this run amuck evil.

I cannot adequately write how desperately I long for you to stand firm on the foundation of Jesus and proclaim in your words, actions, attitudes and convictions, that He was right when He walked on this earth and He is still right. We are to love one another. We are to love white people, brown people, black people and all people. We are to love the immigrant, the migrant, the Muslim, the Jew, the Athiest, and the Hindu. We are to love gay people and straight people, the transgender and the redneck. We are to love the rich, the impoverished, the single mom, the addict, the widow, the orphan and the hardliner. We are to love each other. Not just those we agree with, but love others…period!

If you are sick of this evil, stop blaming congress, the administration, the gun, the educational system, or the government! Take a deep and sincere look at your own heart and ask where bigotry, hate, anger, pettiness or unconfessed sin might remain in your heart. Confess that before the God of all Creation and receive His forgiveness…and then open up your heart and hands to love people into a radical, life-altering relationship with His Son.

For those of you that know me, you know that I can be sarcastic, quick tempered and completely biased. I am asking you to hold me accountable to a higher standard! I am part of the problem and I desire to part of the solution. Will you join me in taking the high road when everything is screaming to take a bite of justice on your own? Will you join me in seeking to take the lowest possible position and serve others in the model of Jesus, instead of demanding more rights? Will you lay down your pitchfork long enough to allow the voice of reason, found in a daily walk with God to shock you into the trust that God can and will deal with evil, if we will simply trust Him more and enough?

One last thought, for those of you that might say, “Chuck, that’s just preacher-talk.” Will you try the way of Christ before you jump to earthly assumptions? I think you know what assuming does to us.

Choose Peace Today,
AChuck

Drunken Awareness

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Drunken Awareness by AChuckAllen

It has been said that “Our very awareness is the window upon which reality presents itself.” (F. Lentz) I agree with that premise, but awarenes is but one step along the journey of true, life-altering change. The age old story is that we must change. If we do not change, we die. It is abundantly true in our spiritual, emotional, relational and physical lives.

If we are to become aware of something that is healthy and good for us, then we would be foolish to not embrace and then adapt to that new, healthy alternative (think exercisee). If we are to become aware of something that is harmful to us, but not remove that from our lives, we would be either ignorant or lazy (think cigarettes).

I have recently been in the halls of power in Washington and the desert lands of our Southern Border, I believe that our country is drunk with awareness and living in a barren land of minimal action. We see problems or crises and want to make people aware of them…especially if we can blame someone else for them. Awareness is essential, but awareness with no action is to cast aside the reality that our Creator designed us to be a people of action. We are to be a people that avail ourselves to the truth. We are to prayerfully determine how He would have us engage that truth. And, we are to act on His directives, especially when inconvenient.

There are a host of challenges in this world. The answer is NOT only awareness, but awareness that leads to action. If something is to change, then something must change!

I’ve received some hate-filled emails regarding my truthful recording of the Border Stations that I witnessed. It seems that it’s more politically expedient to simply believe without knowing firsthand. That kind of mindless chatter is what keeps we Americans bogged down in the quicksand of awareness.

If we are to attack the challenges and overcome the crises, whether they be immigration, veteran affairs, trade negotiations or the opiod epedimic, we better buckle up and get more than aware of the problems. We better be ready to charge into the wasteland of awareness and drag each problem out of the political arena and into the arena of battle. We must get our gear on, get on our knees and then start to make a difference.

David Goggins once said, “Once the mind believes it can be achieved, only then does it start to break down tactically how we can do this.” In short, I believe his words are specific to our beliefs that God can and God will move us to positive action once we believe the we can achieve.

If you are wondering what you should do about any number of challenges this world faces, simply get yourself up to speed with truthful awareness and then ask the Divine for wisdom. But at all cost, get your fingernails dirty. Get stinky with sweat and spend all the relational capital that you can muster to help serve people in need.

But I warn you! Doing something will cost you something. It might cost you friends. It might leave you sleepless. It will definately cause you to suddenly have a target placed on your back!

Become aware, but please do not stay in the apathetic wastelands of awareness. Get off your donkey and get after serving somebody, somewhere and somehow!

Go in Peace My Friends,
AChuck

From the Border to Washington

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From the Border to Washington by AChuckAllen

I had once been guilty of saying things like, “I don’t really care that much about the immigration issue.” I’ve written things, and some of you have read my words as I’ve cast aside any real concern for immigrants and immigration. I was rocked when the Creator softened my heart toward the families that have been pouring into the Southern Border Stations since January 2019…and long before that.

I’ve written about my findings at our Southern Border and I’ve received a bit of praise, a bit of hostility, a great deal of apathy, but mostly curiosity. Most of you, like me, just want to know what the real deal is. I’ve tried to accurately portray those findings in my writings.

Then something swept in from a place that could only be described as DIVINE INTERVENTION. Take a look at this timeline.

  1. I wrote about “Why We Should Care About the Southern Border.”
  2. I was invited to join the Border Patrol to tour the Border Centers near El Paso, Texas.
  3. I spent two days on the Border with Customs and Border Patrol
  4. I wrote about the real conditions in the Centers that have been so poorly described.
  5. I was invited to Washington to meet with the State Department, Health and Human Services, The White House and Customs and Border Patrol.
  6. I met with all those agencies and the Faith Directors from eight different agencies.
  7. I was asked to help lead an effort specifically in the area of Migrant Families and Unaccompanied Children.

I’m telling you that I didn’t ask for any of these audiences. Not once! But somehow, in a season that I was to be on vacation, the Divine determined that He had an assignment for me. I’ve run from these “callings” before, but no more. I am determined to allow the Lord to do as He pleases with me. I’ve learned the hard way, that He has the single best way to accomplish His will and my peace. That way is my obedience.

As a result, I’m heading back to the border in mid August to lead a tour of the McAllen, Texas Station with several White House and State Department staffers. I’ll also be helping the Department of Health and Human Services create a far better way for churches and individuals to assist Migrant Families in the middle of processing while on the Mexican side of the Border.

I’m also busy assisting in the creation of a National Prayer Team website and app that is focused on the ministry of immigration, church and government assistance and care for the unaccompanied children on the border.

That’s a boatload of work, but honestly, it’s nothing compared to the extraordinary work of the Faith Directors that serve so well in the various agencies throughout DC. I met with real heroes as we chatted over coffee last Thursday morning. I met with Paula White and her team. Paula White is the real deal. She has funded hundreds of thousands of dollars to help move the needle forward in the areas of immigration, faith and ministry, all while leading the way for Believers to make a radical difference for the cause of Christ. I’m proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with her team in this effort.

I left Washington with three big ideas:

    1. I am amazed at how quickly the people within the key agencies are working to rectify the challenges on the border!
    2. The men and women serving as Faith Directors within the State Department, Health and Human Services, Customs and Border Patrol and the White House are supernaturally powered and are unsung, undervalued, underpaid, overwhelmed, faithful heroes that are making a HUGE difference for the cause of Christ. These folks have left homes and careers to answer the call of the Divine on their lives! I was allowed to pray with every single office I met with. If you are in the camp that thinks God has been shoved to the mop closets in our nation’s capital, you are completely wrong! I started with Customs and Border Patrol, State Department, Health and Human Services and then the White House. I was welcomed to pray with every single office! The God of All Creation is at work in Washington! I never thought I would say that. But these folks are fighting on all sides. Please pray for them!
    3. There is plenty of room for the faith and church community to rally around this crisis and serve children, individuals, families and those that serve on the border. And there is more than enough room for all of us to make a massive difference. I am committed to seeing this crisis resolved as a result of the CHURCH rising up to meet this need!

One of the great challenges is that we have become a nation filled with bright people and wonderful churches that are drunk on AWARENESS. We want to know what’s going on, but the Lord has shown me that awareness is great, but He is calling His Church to action!

I know that you know this, but Awareness doesn’t solve problems. Discussion doesn’t solve problems. Insight doesn’t solve problems. Action does.

We have all of the awareness that we need. Let us move on to action. I’ll be completing plans on how you can participate this week.

After the whirlwind that I’ve been on the past 10-days, I cannot wait to see what ACTION looks like! One thing that I am certain of is that Sugar Hill Church is ready to step up and make a difference. I am so grateful for a church that leads the way in serving folks that are marginalized in our society with grace, hope and compassion. I love our dear church. It’s a great honor to serve her!

Go in Peace, Chuck

What I Learned – Firsthand – on Our Southern Border

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I never imagined that I would wind up on the US, Mexican border, but there I was, smack dab in the middle of a humanitarian crisis. I mentioned in an article that I wrote last Monday (you can read that here) that I had no desire for another project to take on. I’m the pastor of a healthy, growing church in Northeast Atlanta. What in the world was the Lord thinking when He told me to go south and then provided the introduction to a few folks that paved the way for me to be on the border last Friday.

Before I get started, please know that I have no bias in leaning left or right. I am not an ambassador for anyone other than my Creator. I care about policy, but I care far more about the people serving faithfully in our Border Patrol and for the people that are stuck in the middle somewhere between leaving their homes and entering the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

BE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE!

Here is what I saw firsthand:

  1. I drank from the same “toilet” that Democrat Presidential hopeful, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did. It’s not a toilet. It’s a banos-or restroom in Spanish. There is hot water and there is cold water and in the restroom – separately from the toilet, much like your “banos” is fresh, potable water. I drank the water from the very same banos AOC drank from. Shame on her for having reported that people were drinking from toilets. I spoke with the Border Patrol Chief that accompanied her on her tour. He clarified and showed her the very unit and yet it was much more politically expedient to claim that folks awaiting processing or release were drinking toilet water. Shame on her and the media that went along with that story!
  2. I saw fresh, cold water available everywhere I turned. I drank from at least a dozen coolers without any problems. And before you get fired up, no! No, there was not a cleaned up version for the tour I was on. I waited my turn for water with migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, El Salvador and Guatemala.
  3. The very first thing that I noticed were the restrooms. The majority of the restrooms are porta-potties. I know that sounds gross, but they are all vented well. Most of them are indoors. When I walked into these portable bathrooms they were like brand new. They are serviced everyday and completely disinfected everyday. They truly were spotless.
  4. In the centers that I visited, you could see the aftermath of the massive migration of immigrants. Make no mistake, these centers, the same centers that have been in the news, have indeed been overcrowded and undermanned. The men and women of the US Customs and Border Patrol were hired and trained to secure and protect the borders. They have never been equipped either in their training or in their facilities to care for Unaccompanied Children or thousands of people each day,
  5. The Chief of the Border Patrol at each station I visited have lead their people with compassionate care and rapid flexibility to make the individuals and families as comfortable as possible. I got on the ground, next to families awaiting departure. I used the same memory foam sleeping pad and the same silver blanket that they had. The survival blanket is a luxury. You might have previously asked, why a survival blanket when it’s 110 degrees outside? Well, I asked that as well. The law requires that the Border Patrol maintain a temperature of 68-74 degrees inside the facility. If you had spent weeks in the blazing sun to get to the border, you’d be cold once inside the air conditioning of the massive facility that has been erected for you. You’d want one of those blankets.
  6. There are now three meals catered in for every person, every day, detained and awaiting release. There are three snacks available and small snack items available at every facility.
  7. Every person that comes through the process, regardless of how they crossed the border are given a fresh shower, new clothes that they keep and while they are showering and dressing, their clothes are washed and returned to them. They receive new flip-flops, socks, t-shirts, shorts and sweatpants. They are provided individual toiletries, including soap, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, toothbrush, brush or comb, deodorant, and feminine hygiene. By the way, the showers have all been upgraded and enlarged. In the centers that I toured on the Texas/Mexico border the facilities were created with four showers, they have all been upgraded to either sixteen or twenty showers, separated by gender. I’ve showered in far worse conditions in hotels and youth camps.
  8. Families are processed much faster than individuals. I was in a center that still had more than 150 people (families) and I witnessed the separation of men on one side and mothers with children on the other side. They are separated to protect the women and children from any harm, but there is no fencing or physical barrier that separated them. Dads are only 50 feet from their wives and kids and yes, there is an armed Border Patrol agent in each room. When I say room, I mean a massive tent that is set up for 125 people. Three weeks ago, there were 400 people in the tent. I guarantee you that it was overcrowded, but is was far better than being outside. They say that it’s hot but it’s dry. I say, so is an oven!
  9. Most folks are processed and released with a date to appear within 24-36 hours. And when I say released, most are released onto US soil. Sometimes at the center and sometimes via bus to somewhere that they have relatives or opportunities. Their date and place to appear is relative to their location.
  10. Since January, 2019 the three centers that I visited have processed more than 144,000 immigrants. They were built to accommodate 4500 in that same time period. There is indeed a humanitarian crisis on our Southern Border and Border Patrol are the first people to assure you of that. Three weeks prior to my visit, these centers were overwhelmed and in the midst of implementing all the changes that I saw. Were the centers over crowded, undermanned, underfunded and at crisis levels? You bet they were, and very well might be again. But I saw first hand how rapidly the Border Patrol has implanted significant changes to make this crisis far less painful.

I’ll write more in tomorrow’s article, but let me make a few observations of my visit last week.

  • The tariffs and the present administration have negotiated 5,000 Mexican troops on their Southern Border. That had lessened the pace of the immigrants from the South American countries which make up about 65% of the present immigrant requests. Nobody believes that is sustainable. As a result, our Border Patrol Centers are still prepping for another massive wave the balance of this year. They have added thousands and thousands of square feet, all air conditioned space. They have created Costco-like space with food and beverage service in mass quantities. They have added 24-7 medical care and in the Unaccompanied Children’s Center, they have added social workers and supervised play-times with qualified people.
  • The Migrant Protection Plan is slowing the flood of people into these centers, but that is not presently sustainable. It most likely will help, but will require millions of dollars to help create sustainable short-term housing on the Mexican side of the border.
  • The overcrowding creates a media circus and granstanding from either side of the aisle doen’t help. It’s creating a hightened sense of fear in the people seeking a new home and it’s hurting the work of the Border Agents. Most of the men and women I personally spoke with were 10-25 year veterans of the Border Patrol. They all were quick to tell me that a month ago things were horrific and that they will most likely be that way again. But this time, they are far better prepared for the onslaught.
  • The Church is the single best way to care for these folks on both sides of the border. I’ll outline more in tomorrow’s article.
  • Children are only separated from adults when, a) they arrive with a bio-metric proven person of criminal history, b) if the child is sick, where they are placed into a medical ward with 24-7 care until well, c) they arrive alone because mother or parents are sold into human or sex trafficking. By the way, did you know that the Cartel’s own most of the Southern Mexico Border and that everyone pays to cross and tens of thousands of folks are paying with their very lives to get their kids away from the likes of South American dictators and oppressive governments? Many of these folks, especially from South America and Cuba are professionals, or with labor skills.

I’ll wrap up for today, but there is so much that I learned. I’ll be returning to the McAllen Border Center (where Vice President Pence was last week) next month. I’ve been invited to participate in a partnership for serving and caring for the immigrant families and the Border Patrol across the entire Southern Border. I’m praying about that and about how the faith based community can serve the immigrants and especially the unaccompanied Children.

This is a long view effort and will require the help of multiple organizations. I’m still not certain what part I am to play, but I am certain that we (the church) must step up to meet this crisis face to face, hand in hand and hearts without political motivation, but rather, salt and light directives.

We all are part of the problem and can be part of the solution. I know you think that was a typo. You’re probably thinking, “Chuck, I don’t have anything to do with those folks on the border.” Well, actually you do. You can vote your convictions, share those convictions boldly with your congressional leader, your local governments, pastors and priests. But please do not hide from this or turn your heart from these folks.

Thanks for your prayers and for your continued prayers for my ongoing conversations and visits. Join me again tomorrow for what I believe are some very tangible ways to help improve the challenges ahead on the Southern Border.

Go in Peace,
AChuck

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