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Overview of the Immersion
Experiences
For the past nine years, Cristo Rey has
led Border Immersion Experiences for numerous Christian adults, university
groups and youth from across the country. While the program continues to
evolve, our purpose remains clear: to provide exposure to the social issues
that affect this border area and a cross-cultural opportunity for ministry
within a Christian context.
We welcome you to the El
Paso/Juarez area. Cristo Rey Lutheran Church, a former mission congregation
of the ELCA, does ministry in the heart of a low-income Hispanic district in
central El Paso, a city of 700,000. Cristo Rey’s congregation is primarily
first–generation Mexican immigrants and their families. There is no shortage
of children at Cristo Rey!
Juarez, just a walk across the bridge away, will also become familiar
territory for you as you visit with and learn from our Mexican brothers and
sisters who call Juarez home.
The renewed emphasis this year in our border immersion programs is on
studying the social issues that effect this border area—a virtual microcosm
of our world reality—and building relationships with the members of Cristo
Rey and their neighbors in our community of faith. Come with hearts and
minds open; come to experience, to learn, to serve and be served, and build
ties that bind with the Cristo Rey family.
The focus of the Border Immersion Experience
is to approach the week as learners, with the opportunity to serve and to be
served. We ask that you come with open hearts and minds, and with the
willingness to be impacted. These experiences will strengthen your knowledge
of God and your relationship with God, as together we strive for a greater
understanding and purpose in our lives as Christians.
Border Experience
Activities:
Worship
One very important aspect of your visit
is worship with the Cristo Rey congregation on Sunday morning. While our
overall ministry here at Cristo Rey includes programs such as Border
Immersion Experiences, youth ministry, and community building experiences,
our Sunday worship time is the element that grounds us in the Gospel and
gives our ministry meaning. For this reason, groups arrive on Saturday
afternoon in order to attend Sunday morning services. Groups depart on the
following Friday morning.
Colonia Tours
Colonias, communities that are home to those most in need, exist on both
sides of the border. Visit colonias in El Paso and Juarez and hear the
incredible stories of the people who live there.
Bible Study And Reflection
Process your experiences through presentations by speakers from social
service and justice groups in both Juarez and El Paso, and through Bible
study and reflection.
There is a one half-hour, daily Bible study
that is meant to ground your experiences on the border in the Gospel and
give them implications in your lives of faith. These discussions will be led
by your group leaders with texts provided by Cristo Rey. The texts will be
sent to you prior to your arrival in order that you have time to prepare for
the discussions.
Part of the reality of the exposure to border life is that there becomes a
real need for processing the newness and sometimes troubling contrasts that
you discover each day. Therefore, in addition to morning Bible study, the
schedule provides for a short period of evening group reflection and
discussion that can include question/answer sessions with Cristo Rey staff.
We also recommend a time for journaling as you retire each evening.
Journaling is a wonderful way to explore questions and issues brought up
during the day in a personal manner. There is much to learn and we hope you
take full advantage of the opportunities!
Work Projects
There are a variety of work projects that
could be scheduled during your visit. Past projects have included house
building, painting, general clean up, roofing, etc. Our projects have been
arranged on both sides of the border and it is important to note that they
are scheduled according to need, finances and materials. Therefore, specific
site requests cannot always be arranged, though we will do our best to
accommodate you in this matter. And often times a group may continue a
project already begun by a previous group.
Other factors, such as the availability of water or materials may limit a
pre-scheduled project. Therefore, it is important to be flexible and keep an
open mind about the purpose of your work. As a group, you need to be
prepared for unexpected changes, and recognize that God has called you to
the border for an experience that includes time at your worksite. Hauling
water or sand is just as important as laying a foundation. We do the work
that needs to be done at the time.
Due to a strong sun all year-round, particularly in the heat of the summer,
your work day will begin quite early. We will leave the house by 7:00 AM.
If you are scheduled for the spring, the weather can be beautiful but windy.
December to February has daytime highs in the 50s.
Community Youth Involvement
Your group will have the opportunity to
lead our Summer Recreation Program (summer groups) or the After School
Enrichment Program (fall and spring groups) for community youth. Through
helping with homework, games, music, and a variety of activities that your
group plans and brings to El Paso, you will get to know the children of our
neighborhood. They range in age from 7-15 and are eager to spend this time
with you. Again, pre-event planning is very important for your success as
well as for our children's.
The Lord requires only this:
that you love justice, and have mercy, and walk humbly with our God. Micah
6:8
Preparation
To be ready for your border experience it is imperative that each group
spend a significant amount of time building community, and reading about and
discussing the issues they will face while in El Paso/Juarez.
We recommend at least six weeks of community building, study and discussion
prior to your week with us at Cristo Rey. Educational materials will be
mailed to you three months prior to your arrival.
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