Stepping into the Unknown: My First Two Weeks in South Texas
Back in Nebraska, when I committed to interning with Border Perspective (BP), I must admit I was walking into it blindly. I knew the job description, but what are the people like? What are the day-to-day tasks? Will I be able to fit in? I couldn’t know these things until I took a frightening dive into the unknown. Nonetheless, I was a little scared. Only two short weeks in and God has already taken all my best case scenarios and preconceptions, thrown them out the window, and revealed something even greater.
Just a few short days after arriving, BP welcomed two back-to-back teams. It was amazing to have the opportunity to host and engage in so much meaningful conversation with a broad variety of people. After meeting with the border patrol, the City of Brownsville, two pastors, visiting an asylum seeking camp in Mexico, and much more, you can be sure there was plenty to discuss. It was so exciting to see the wheels turning after all these experiences as people began to ask themselves, “how can I take this information to better my walk with Christ/what can the church learn from this?”
Recently, I learned a costly lesson that in this area the drainage systems are very bad. I was driving home late one night on a road that has no lighting at all. I found myself in around 3 feet of water, luckily I was able to get out, however, this caused a lot of damage to the engine and other parts of the car. In the end, I was stuck with a large bill and out of a car for a week. However, in the middle of the chaos, I was met with an enormous act of kindness. Several church members came to a dark and flooded road to tow my car for me, an almost stranger. In the face of my frustration and anxiety at the situation, I was brought to tears at the sight of such Christ-like kindness for a stranger. This was a big hit, but I was encouraged to trust in the Lord and ask him for his presence with this whole situation.
Very quickly I realized that “leisurely” or “predictable” were not in the job description for a reason. Long hot days (even in late September it’s so hot!) are event-packed, and often a rat or lizard makes their appearance. But what growth has ever sprung from predictability? In the midst of challenges God moves, and I have already seen that in two short weeks.
I have been offered the privilege to sit with people who are on a journey. A journey that has been rough and painful, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. As I have talked with more and more people, I am realizing that we are all the same. We all want the same things. Peace, love, and a place to be, to exist. Whether it is the asylum seeker, the teacher, the child, the doctor, anybody, we are all searching for these things. And I believe that we are all searching for something even more, a relationship and connection with our Creator. For my time in Texas, my prayer is that I am able to be a faithful steward of the tools I have been given to multiply them for the kingdom of God.
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Azie is serving in South Texas from Sept. 17th - Nov. 15th, 2024 as part of our Leadership-Development Program. Her ministry involvement consists of serving alongside local organizations in South Texas, and supporting our service-learning mobilization program.