Jan 2013 - Diocese of the Rio Grande

IN THE
5
EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE RIO GRANDE
Reflections on Border Ministry
From Ms. Jo Galvan, Las Cruces Public Schools
Director of Communications
During the holidays, hundreds of employees and
school children from throughout the Las Cruces Public
Schools are involved with a variety of projects that
benefit families within our community. Canned food
drives, Toys for Tots, Dress A Child, Coats for Kids, and
turkey & food baskets are familiar activities.
Upon reading a newsletter from Las Cruces City
Manager Robert Garza, I learned about the Palomas
project. I had a feeling my co-workers in the LCPS
Superintendent’s Office would be interested in getting
involved; and sure enough, they were.
When you see the photos of the kids getting their
presents, how could anyone not want to help? As we
spent time together decorating the boxes and divvying
up the gifts, we talked about the children who would
be opening “our boxes.” We imagined the smiles
and laughter of the niños and niñas in this nearby
community. And, we’re already looking forward to
next year. What a humbling and gratifying experience
this has been for us all.
From Mr. Paul Dulin, Director
Office of Border Health
New Mexico Department of Health
Somehow, even when the dark clouds of a pickup
truck stuffed with 300 gift boxes would not start and
the hours ticked away, and all were waiting for me
to spirit to Christmas Box Convoy across the border,
friends of friends came to the rescue!
I called Louis Luna, a colleague, who found a repair
garage and chained my truck to his SUV and pulled me
there. But not until Peter Edmunds of Border Partners
and Barbara Fry (returning from Columbus) brought
their pickups and we transferred the gifts.
One of the volunteers hands a gift to the next in line.
The folks at the repair garage got right on the job,
replacing a defective fuel pump, and I was able to
drive my own vehicle home.
I was so gladdened to see 400+ children lined
up around the Salon San Vicente when we finally
arrived (2 hours late)! The staff and volunteers of the
Sectional Municipality of Palomas were attentive and
we sorted the gifts in less than 30 minutes and finally
were able to get the first group through.
A few were turned away--but very few (maybe 20).
What we did do was give only one small thing-a
book, a handful of candy, a stuffed animal, a Frisbeeto
about 50 children-that is, we were shy about
75 Christmas Shoe Boxes. Also, we have never had
sufficient gifts for 14-15 year-olds. So we may need to
have a group just focus on certain age groups.
From Ms. Susan Hutchins
Director, Our Lady of Las Palomas
I leave a piece of my heart in Palomas every time I
cross, and I bring a piece of Palomas wrapped in my
heart each time I leave. It is indeed New Testament
times in Palomas. And in this season of Advent, this
season of hope, waiting and yearning, we can and do
and did this past Saturday bring the hope of Advent,
the promise of Jesus Christ to God’s children. This was
a very moving and transformational experience...not
just for the children and families who received a shoe
box of hope and promise, but to those volunteers who
also have the hope and knowledge that we can bring
the promise of Christ.
I pray that as we are called by God to share our
gifts, we remember that there are God’s children in
Palomas that need our love and grace all year long.
The Volunteers who made all this happen.
Serving Many, Agonizing
Over the Rest
By Ms. Majie Powey
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Truth or Consequences
We arrived at the Center in Palomas with a line down and around
the Block. It took another army of neighbors appointed by the
Palomas Community authorities to help unload and set up, and the
groups of children were let in.
We had 715 shoeboxes and a number of bags of toys. By 4:30 p.m.
we finished off the boxes and loose toys and counted 750 children
had been served.
Heartbreaking to have to turn children away and it was hard to
estimate how many went away empty. One said 50 another said
250 children did not receive a gift.
One small child caught my heart in the beginning. Running down
the street crying and trying to get into line as children were lining
up as we took our treasures in to give to the children. What I saw
was a child afraid she would not get there in time to get a gift. I
watched for her, and a couple hours later into the line of children,
she made it.
This child held up her pants as she ran (way to big for her). She had
something on her feet, but it was hard to tell if she wore shoes or
only socks. With all the rain, the street was a mud hole in places.
Her pants slipped and them we realized she had no jacket and had
no underwear.
We met Children cold wet and so poor I came home and cried. Did
we do a good job? Yes, of course we did, but so many helped, and
yet so hard to see others go away without.
The first group of children go up on stage.
Waiting in line for three hours, children and parents line up in Palomas.