Borderland Update
The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis
Canon to the Ordinary, Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande
This week’s borderland update comes from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande! Lee shares updates from our Canvas of Hope event, opportunities to volunteer with our partner organizations in El Paso, and an exciting update on our new donation platform!
Watch our Canvas of Hope event from this last Saturday on our Facebook Page.
Looking to get engaged with Rio Grande Borderland Ministries as a volunteer, contact our Bridge Chaplain Ana Reza (areza@dioceserg.org) to learn more!
We are excited to announce that we have a new giving platform! To make a gift in support of the work of RGBM, click the button below.
RGBM Cycle of Prayer
As we watched headlines during the past weeks send mixed messages about our refugee resettlement program, we remain committed to prayer for the real families watching and waiting for their next steps. We invite you to pause and pray with us.
Lord God, our refuge. You tell us in your word that you are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. We come to you, praying for families seeking refuge. Their hearts and futures have been up and down over the last weeks, months, and years as policies and attitudes have shifted and moved, leaving refugees waiting and watching. God, comfort their hearts as they live a holding pattern. Cover them with a peace that passes all understanding while they wait.
God, be with their families in the States who are eagerly awaiting the news of their impending arrival. Be present to them in their grief of delay. Provide for them as they hope to prepare a place for their loved ones to be reunited.
We ask for a way to be created when it feels like there's no way, God. We pray for our president to keep his promise and raise the refugee ceiling. And we pray for agencies seeking to regroup so that they can be ready to serve new arrivals.
We ask that refugees would find a place of safety to settle and move forward into their futures. Please prepare that place for them, the people who will welcome them, and the next steps that they are ready to take. You know every story, every heart, every heartbreak, Lord. Be near to those in need. May they experience your deep love and provision.
We are praying for lawmakers facing significant challenges making needed changes to immigration policies. We ask God to give wisdom, a spirit of compassion, and opportunities for cooperation to those who have the ability to advance policies affecting vulnerable migrant families.
As our country still struggles under the weight of the pandemic, we remain aware of those whose health, livelihood, and families are suffering. These hardships come despite citizenship, nationality, race, or class. We ask God to give us hearts to see those in need in our communities and show us how we can help.
When we sit down to meals this week can we pray for farmers, farmworkers, suppliers, grocers, and everyone involved in the industry that feeds our nation and many outside of it? These essential workers face obstacles and many migrant farmworkers live in fear of deportation. Let's remember them in our prayers.
AMEN