The pastor at the church we have been visiting was preaching over this section of Jeremiah where this “tell them what they want to hear” prophet guy was telling everyone that they would be out of exile, out of Babylon in a short time. Then Jeremiah delivers the 70 years time-line. But it’s really beautiful: “plant gardens” and “seek the prosperity (or peace) of the city to which you have been carried…”

I sat there thinking of you two, thinking of us too, seeking the good of the city.

What’s really cool is that those verses that get brought out all of the time about “I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you…” are found next. They are immersed in this context, the very context where you find your life taking root.

Peace,
AJ

Thank you for your prayer; it is so deeply refreshing to my spirit.

- “Cruel Sun” by Rusted Root

Those are the kind of lyrics that push into your spirit, and find a home deep in your soul.
Here is our request Father:

Darken the sky, strengthen the Storm.
Let thunder come,
accompanied
by the depths of Your Voice-
forming into words and streaming
down
towards the hardened earth
that is.

Cultivate. Replenish.
Redeem what has been lost
beneath you.

Been learning a lot about NAFTA recently. West Cosgrove, director of Project Puente, gave a super interesting lecture at a conference in El Paso last month. One of the striking things that he highlighted was that between 1994 and 2004, approximately 500,000 jobs were created in Mexico by NAFTA. BUT, in the same period, 1.5 million workers were displaced in the agricultural sector. KInd of like when Wal-Mart invades a small community and all of the small-businesses get squashed. That happened here all over Mexico.

This debate is not new. It is indeed a Broken System. A fence that cost nearly $7 million per mile (nearly 2,000 miles on the U.S./Mex border) is a slap in the face. 10% of people caught at the border have a criminal record. 90% of them are just plain hard-working men, women and children doing all that they can to survive.

Here is another one to think about: The U.S. NEEDS 3 million agricultural workers each year. We only give out 64 thousand visas for farm workers from Mexico.

We could go on and on with stats, and I do not want to start a debate on this site, but the thing that sticks to my bones is that I am able to look into the eyes of the Mexican people. I get to know them. I get to see things from their perspective and it has made all of the difference. That is the one thing missing from this debate, at least from those who call themselves Christians. Before we draw lines in the sand, we must be open. We must meet those on the “other side”, listen to their hearts, and realize that they are our family.

As for NAFTA and “hope”, since NAFTA was primarily schemed up by politicians in the U.S., it’s intended purpose most surely was “profit” for American business, NOT to pring prosperity to Mexico’s poor. Certainly it has provided work for many who may not have previously had work, however, with the suppressed wages that are being paid, and since the cost of the products in the U.S. have not declined proportionately, guess where the new found riches go?

The woman in the photo was psyched when I asked her if I could take her photo. As soon as I grabbed the camera she struck her pose. In fact, I took several photos of people downtown that day. They were all super stoked to have their photos taken.

Ice cold Tecate is super hard to beat…but your encouragement and love goes down much smoother!

Love you guys more than an ice cold Tecate!