The
Border Trip
July 2023
Trip
Goals
To understand the border context
Experience the realities of border communities and learn to dispel border myths.
To witness God's work at the border
Witness welcoming communities serving migrants biblically and steadfastly.
To advocate for immigration reform
Discern how to practice impactful welcoming and advocacy.
Border Context
Goal #1:
Dispel Misinformation
- Why are migrants fleeing their home countries?
- What are the root causes of migration?
- Is the border open or closed?
- Are border communities unsafe?
Read this article before arriving.
God's Presence
Goal #2:
See Jesus embodied
- Learn to think Biblically about immigration and immigrants.
- Look at Jesus in migrants, hosting communites and immigration officials.
- Be perceptive of the Holy Spirit.
Read this article before arriving.
Advocacy
Goal #3:
Advocate for migrants
Partner with CBF
Point Person: Ellen Sechrest
- Church Engagement Coordinator
- Collaborate with CBF Global's work in the U.S.-Mexico border.
Become an immigration advocate
Point Person: Elket Rodríguez
- Field Personnel
- Contact lawmakers to fix the broken immigration system.
Serve immigrants in your community
Point Person: Elket Rodríguez
- Field Personnel
- Find assistance as you and your church discern how they can serve migrants in the border and their own communities.
Before you arrive #1
Donate a backpack or an additional suitcase
to a respite center
If you can, please bring a suitcase or a backpack with some of the following travel size items, troletries and personal care products:
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrushes
- Shampoo & Conditioners
- Haribrush & Combs
- Body wash (no bar soap)
- Shoelaces (these are taken by ICE in detention)
- Female products
- Dental floss
- Q tips
- Deodorant
- Mouthwash
- Socks
- Shirts (Small or Medium Size) No black or red
"The freedom to dream gives us wings to fly and cross walls"
Before you arrive #2
Resources to take a look at
Biblical Foundations on Immigration
Read this summary of why Christians should be concerned with our immigration laws and welcoming the stranger.
Asylum and Processing
Watch this webinar to have a basic understanding of U.S. asylum law and processing.
Relevant Information about immigration
Read these one-pagers on basic information about the U.S.-Mexico border, the border wall, Customs and Border Protection and other relevant immigration information.
Before you arrive #3
Download the Kahoot App
Throughout the trip, Kahoot will be used to interact among the participants. You can upload photos and drop pins for location in the app.
You can also ask questions, answer polls and take quizzes on the border trip as you go.
To download the kahoot app, click here.
Before you arrive #4
Advocate, Pray & Consider
ADVOCATE
Last month, a bipartisan immigration reform bill — the Dignity Act (H.R. 3599) — was introduced in the House. The bill would reform our system & offer solutions for Dreamers and undocumented immigrants. Urge your member of Congress to co-sponsor the Dignity Act to update our immigration system.
PRAY
Pray for the safety of the trip. Also, pray for Tuesday evening's visit to the unaccompanied migrant children (UMC) shelter.
CONSIDER
Send an email to erodriguez@cbf.net. if:
- You want to or feel led to speak for 5 minutes to the UMCs during worship Tuesday evening.
- You want to officiate a Lord's Supper during the border trip in honor of those migrants who have lost their lives crossing the U.S.-Mexico border.
Remember the purple or blue shirt
Before you arrive #5
Weather & Recommendations
WEATHER
The weather forecast for the RGV is expected to be warm and windy, with temperatures between 70°-100°.
MUSTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Bring your ID and a facemask. Consider bringing sunblock protection, a cap, and a water canteen.
*Have cash available, at least a $20.
ATTIRE/APPAREL
Most of the trip will be indoors with informal/casual attire settings. See the Rules of Conduct & Expectations section below for more attire/apparel details.
*Bring a solid blue CBF shirt and wear it on Monday.
If not, have $10 to buy a shirt from CCRGV on site.
Rules of Conduct & Expectations
General Rules
- The use of cameras and recording devices inside these facilities is prohibited. Therefore, no social media posts from the inside.
- No shorts or leggings. No tank tops or sleeveless shirts. Please, wear closed-toed comfortable shoes.
Specific Rules
Customs & Border Protection
- Access to the holding cells inside the facility is denied.
- The use of electronic devices inside the facility may be limited.
- Facemasks may be required
Immigration Court
- Must pass a security screening prior to entering the court.
- The use of electronic devices inside the facility may be limited.
- Attendance to hearings may be limited.
- Facemasks are required.
Valley Baptist Missions & Education Center
- Personal interaction with the unaccompanied migrant children is not permitted.
- Facemasks may be required.
Where is the Rio Grande Valley?
The Rio Grande Valley or RGV is a region spanning the border of Texas and Mexico located in a floodplain of the Rio Grande near its mouth. The region includes the southernmost tip of South Texas and a portion of northern Tamaulipas, Mexico.
Roadmap of the Trip
Rio Grande Valley in Texas
Day 2
Harlingen - Enforcement
Day 4
Free Day
Day 1
McAllen - Context
Day 3
Brownsville - Hospitality
Agenda, Partners & Locations
Monday 3/27
McAllen/Mission-Context
CCRGV Respite Center
111 S 15th St, McAllen, TX
La Lomita Mission
E, 214 Chimney Shades, Mission, TX 78572
Colonia - Puentes de Cristo
1801 Torreón St., Donna, Texas 78537
Tuesday 3/28
Harlingen-Enforcement
CBP Station
3902 S Expressway 83, Harlingen, TX 78552
Immigration Court
2009 W Jefferson Ave #300, Harlingen, TX 78550
Valley Baptist M&E Center
3700 E Harrison Ave #100, Harlingen, TX 78550
Wednesday 3/29
Brownsville -Hospitality
Alice Wilson Hope Park
1300 E Levee St, Brownsville, TX 78520
Gateway International Bridge
1500 W University Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78520
IBWB Respite Center
925 W St Charles St, Brownsville, TX 78520
** Final Exam
Thursday 3/30
Free Day - You decide
South Padre Island
7355 Padre Blvd. SPI, TX
Bentsen-RGV State Park
2800 S Bentsen Palm Dr, Mission, TX 78572
Palo Alto Battlefield Site
7200 Paredes Line Rd, Brownsville, TX 78526
Space X
52448-, 54298, Boca Chica Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78521
Restaurants
MONDAY
McAllen-Mission
Taco Palenque
2420 E Expressway 83, Mission
BJ's
3200 W Expressway 83, McAllen
Republic of the Rio Grande
1411 S 10th St, McAllen
Khan's Grill
529 E. Nolana, McAllen
2307 W. Expressway 83, Weslaco
Marcos Burger
2507 E Griffin Pkwy, Mission
TUESDAY
Harlingen
Las Cazuelas
Bandera Coffee
415 W Van Buren Ave
Dave's BBQ
1714 N Commerce St
Jason’s Deli
2224 US-77 #100
Frankie Flav’s Craft Burgers
711 N 77 Sunshine Strip
La Fogata
416 W Harrison Ave
Khan's Grill
610 Maco Dr
WEDNESDAY
Brownsville
Dirty Al's
4495 North Expy #77
La Vaquita
833 W Elizabeth St
Supercream
Ricardo's
425 F 10th St
Whataburger
2021 Intl. Blvd
Black Bear Diner
3867 Frontage Rd 77 83
Partners & Resources
Click here to read CBF Advocacy's values and principles for immigration reform.
Click here to find a curated list of biblical resources on immigration.
Click here to read the latest updates about what is happening at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Click here to read the latest on WWD's advocacy efforts to preserve the human right to seek asylum.
Click here to read the latest on Washington D.C. based immigration advocacy from a faith perspective.
Click here to learn updates on the status of immigration bills in Washington D.C.
Como Nacido Entre Nosotros
Pulse aquí para aprender sobre la coalición cristiana más grande de latinoamérica en defensa de los derechos de los migrantes y las personas en desplazamiento humano.
A 40-day Scripture-reading guide composed of short Bible passages that relate in one way or another to the theme of immigration. Click here to join then challenge.
Elket Rodríguez
Elket Rodríguez is the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship field personnel serving the communities and the migrants in the U.S.-Mexico border. Elket encourages churches along and across the U.S. and Mexico border to engage with migrants, asylum seekers and the vulnerable in their communities.
Elket hosts workshops in the U.S and in Mexico to educate migrants, asylum seekers, pastors, and churches on the biblical foundations of welcoming the stranger and loving our neighbor. From that perspective, Elket also addresses the misinformation that shapes unproductive border policies and contributes to increased migration at the border.
Likewise, as an immigration attorney, Elket provides legal aid to asylum seekers and advises pastors and churches on how to assist migrants in their communities.
Click here for more information.
DONATE
Elket Rodríguez programming budget
Elket’s ministry goals center on connecting migrant families along the U.S. Mexico border to resources such as shelters, food pantries, medical and legal assistance services, etc. Elket is also focused on advocating in Washington, D.C. and Mexico for the implementation of sensible and prudent immigration policies. Your generosity in support of Rodríguez and his mission programs will transform lives. To donate to Elket's ministry programming budget, click here.
Offering of Global Missions
The CBF Offering for Global Missions is the primary source of support ensuring the long-term presence of field personnel around the world — funding salaries, benefits, housing costs and children's educational needs. The Offering engages churches and individuals in faith and action through giving, Bible Study, prayer, mission projects and celebration. Todonate to the CBF Offering of Global Missions, click here.