Posts Tagged ‘Deported’

The Plight of El Bordo
pastor Leo leading us in prayer

Pastor Leo leading us in prayer during an outreach event at El Bordo

I read an interesting article today that highlights the plight on border caused by all the deportations. No matter where you stand on immigration issues, it’s important to see the condition that people are living in on the border. They are horrific!

The article was featured in the Huffington Post: Crisis in El Bordo.

All the deportations have led to an influx of people living right at the border fence in Tijuana, where the Tijuana canal passes through. Approximately 2,000,000 people have been deported since 2009, which is the most ever by a U.S. president. 40% of the people have been deported at the San Ysidro-Tijuana border and now 4,000 of them are stuck and live in El Bordo.

A man washing his clothes in the Tijuana River in El Bordo

A man washing his clothes in the Tijuana River in El Bordo Photo by Cyrus Saatsaz from Huffington Post

It is sad to see the conditions they are living in, and many of them are stuck there. They have no place to go, and they don’t have the money or resources to find a way out.

The church must follow Jesus’ lead, and minister to the broken and downtrodden. I’m thankful that some of the churches that we’ve helped establish, and that we partner with minister to the people in El Bordo.

Join us in Prayer

I pray that these ministries will continue to flourish as they feed and care for so many hurting people. Lord, bring your peace, and I pray the gospel will bring lasting change to the border.

Join us in prayer for these hurting people. They have physical and spiritual needs.

O Lord, hear our prayer!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

Stepping Out of Our Comfort Zone For Christ
Jon with Leo and Gloria at El Bordo

Jon with Leo and Gloria at El Bordo

On Wednesday my son, Jonathan and I felt awkward and uncomfortable for the gospel. God used our time at El Bordo on the border to move us to compassion through the people we met there. We were also in awe of how God’s grace penetrates through the witness of our friends Pastor Leo Nevarez and his wife, Gloria along with the San Diego/Baja YWAM (Youth With a Mission) team.

Leo and Gloria go to El Bordo with a number of young people from YWAM every Tuesday. They share the love of Christ through song, testimony and the Word of God. The compassion and mercy of the Lord also shine in this dark place as they bring a warm meal for more than one hundred homeless people who live right on the border.

El Bordo: A Place for the Homeless
Entering the homeless park, El Bordo in Tijuana

Entering the homeless park, El Bordo in Tijuana

El Bordo is a park that sits right at the border crossing. You can see the crossing where the cars drive into Mexico from the park. Many homeless and deported immigrants live there. Most of the residents, who sleep in tents in the city park are men, but there are some women.

It was such a huge blessing that my son, Jon could accompany me. You might remember that two weeks ago he had eye surgery! He is still recovery, but God is bringing healing.

Compassion for the Hurting
feeding the homeless at El Bordo

feeding the homeless

I find myself feeling uncomfortable when I’m among so many hurting people. There are so many in need of hope. They also have very basic human needs like for food and clothing.

God uses these uncomfortable moments to break us, and touch our heart.

The need is just crushing!

The Gospel in El Bordo

It encouraged my heart to see Leo and Gloria, some people from their church and all the young people from YWAM out there praying for and ministering to the people. They are willing to take a risk, and to get dirty for the gospel.

One of the guys that went with us, Jaime began a conversation with a couple of people at the park. He called me over and asked me if I could help him. Together we began to share the life-giving message of the gospel with a man and a woman.

The man, Fernando didn’t seem as interested. He told me he had bad cholesterol and that he couldn’t think clearly.

The woman, Agustina said she was seeking to grow in faith. She has a friend who is a believer that she’s gone to church with. We sought to encourage her in her faith in Christ.

The others that went with us also had opportunities to share with the people and pray for them.

Rehab on the Border
pastor Leo leading us in prayer

pastor Leo leading us in prayer

Many of the people at El Bordo are caught in addictions. God has used Leo’s background, as the Lord saved him from drug abused, so that he can reach these people. Leo and Gloria have started a rehab center. They take those that desire to get off of drugs, and they work with them so that they can get back on their feet.

They are in the process of building a rehab center right behind their home to house those interested in rehab. These hurting men and women are hearing the good news!

The light of the gospel shines forth in this dark place. It’s worth feeling uncomfortable and even awkward at times as we roll up our sleeves to share the love of Christ.

Hear Our Prayers!

O Lord, that your grace will break loose at El Bordo, and that many of the lost that live there will find their way back home. They will find their way to you.

Thank you Lord, that in you there is hope for the outcast.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org