Stories from Piedras Negras
By Stephen Reeves
Over Memorial Day weekend, First Baptist Austin made a second annual trip to work alongside Primera Iglesia Bautista Piedras Negras and their ministry to migrants waiting to cross the border. We provided a day of fun for the almost 40 children staying in their two shelters, and worked to rehab and improve the main shelter downtown by installing fans, doing some light plumbing projects, and a fresh coat of paint. On Sunday First Austin members cooked lunch for the 250+ worshipers at First Piedras Negras to thank them for their incredible ministry of hospitality. Of the many memorable moments, these two will stick with me.
On Thursday I was touring the shelter near the big church and school on the outskirts of town. Each time I visit the migrants themselves have made improvements to the property. I was greeted at the gate by a woman who was clearly a leader among those staying there. She had been waiting with her son for over six months. With a smile she said they finally had an appointment to present themselves to CBP at the bridge to Eagle Pass on Monday (Memorial Day). She hoped to join her sister in Minnesota who would be her sponsor.
As she was giving our small group a tour, a man wearing a large backpack and a girl of perhaps 12 years old came up and gave her a hug. With tears in her eyes the girl then hugged several other young children and climbed into a Taxi waiting at the gate. The father and daughter had been there for five months and their appointment with CBP was that afternoon at 5:00.
During the Sunday worship service one of the ministers called the mom and her son up to the stage. The whole church prayed for their journey. The mom then took the mic and thanked the church for everything they had done for them, for the care and hospitality they had provided while she lived on their property for half a year waiting. It was a touching moment and testimony to the power of welcoming the stranger in the name of Jesus.
On Friday I was in the kitchen of the downtown shelter preparing to help install two new ceiling fans. There is no air conditioner, only one small window, and the old fans weren’t working. With the large gas stove running the place could feel like an oven. I began talking to a mother who was staying at the shelter about the program for kids the FBC team would put on the next day. I asked how long she had been staying there and she said two months. She then rather abruptly said, “can’t I just take my kids and cross the river?” She was clearly frustrated and impatient. One of her children has special needs. I told her that I knew it was hard, but it was best to wait and keep trying to get an appointment via the CBP1 app. The river is too dangerous to safely cross with her kids, and the laws in the US favor those who use the app. For the future of her family, I implored her to not cross the river. I pray she takes my advice. She did come to the day camp with all three kids the next day and they seemed to have a great time. I can’t help but think these are the folks Governor Abbott put up razor wire to try and stop.
