Illegal immigration is a problem for both the United States and Mexico.
But I’m guessing you’re only sort of familiar with the problem from the American perspective? Each day tens of thousands of Americans illegally enter Mexico without proper documentation.
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As we round the pandemic’s corner this summer, shifting from hunkering down to opening up, I’d like to highlight Good News in the Neighborhood of the local church here on my blog and on my social channels.
Just about 11 months ago we were settling into the idea that COVID-19 was going to be bad.
We had no idea how bad things could get. None.
As of today, 500,000 Americans have lost their lives to this pandemic. By comparison, the entire population of Sacramento is 494,000.
What if I’d told you 11 months ago that everyone living in Sacramento would be dead in a year? You’d probably report me to the police.
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I failed yesterday. It hurt. It sucked. And I did it on purpose.
Over the summer, after months of nudging by my friends, I picked golf back up. For me, during the pandemic, it’s been the perfect outlet. I get out and exercise, building cardio and muscle by walking San Diego’s hilly courses, but more importantly it’s helped keep me sane from the repetition of elongated stay-at-home orders from COVID-19.
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To move up sometimes you need to move on.
I’ve given that advice to youth ministry friends over the past decade. And this year I finally awoke to the reality that it was time to take my own advice.
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What if the cure to COVID-19 is kindness?
If that’s the cure we’re in trouble.
But maybe it is the cure? And since kindness costs us nothing why don’t we just give it a chance?
Just an idea.
Over the past few years you’ve watched me do some stuff.
10 years ago it was in Haiti, activating hundreds of churches to go and build partnerships with Haitian churches in the wake of an earthquake that shook a nations core but unleashed a spiritual awakening. And now more recently it’s been closer to home, first in TJ as I got involved with the migrant caravan and supporting migrant care. And now with my work in Ensenada building long-term relationships and sustainable ministry with our church partners there.
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Troubling information from the San Diego Police Department recently detailed that domestic and sexual violence is skyrocketing during this quarantine time period. As a rape crisis counselor and public educator for over 12 years, I have seen a glimpse into the pain, shame, growth and healing that so many experience. Abuse in homes is a secretive and damaging reality for far too many children and adults; it causes fear, anxiety, depression, and myriad personal health challenges. Normally, people suffering in homes can find some kind of solace and joy going to school, playing sports, hanging out with friends and seeking other external resources. COVID-19 has now forced countless victims/survivors of violence to spend confined time with abusive family members or partners, inevitably causing further isolation and internalized conflict.
(more…)Did you ever notice Charles Stanley has a really long index finger? I was thinking about that today. Google it and let me know what you think. Murray had to go to the vet today to get a prescription refilled. He did great. They told me they couldn’t take his temperature because he wouldn’t let them put the thermometer in his butt. They didn’t need to tell me that because I heard him growl at them from the waiting room. I don’t blame you, Murray. Speaking of thermometers, I’m taking my temperature like ten times a day. My thermometer goes in your ear, you count to 5, you press the button, and then for a half second you convince yourself you’ve got COVID-19. Then it turns out you don’t. And then you kind of wish you did have a super mild case just so you could recover and leave the house again. They probably need those kinds of thermometers for dogs. I didn’t read that article in TIME Magazine by NT Wright for several days. The title kind of triggered me. But then I finally did read it and I’m with Tom. We aren’t friends but I hear his friends call him Tom. In my mind we are friends so it’s OK. Tom. Sometimes I think we are just meant to lament and that’s what this strange season is for. I mean, the Aztecs had a real shot at making the Final Four and I was going to take Jackson as a surprise. But now we’ll never know. Mal, Matt, Yanni, Jordan, and KJ are still going to be heroes though. I think “lament” is the Christian word for “sucks.” It laments that March Madness got cancelled. I’m looking forward to tomorrow though. We’re going to have “Church for Youth Workers” again and I don’t think it’s going to lament.
Current body temperature: 98.3 left ear; 98.4 right ear
Rolls of toilet paper: 2.6 cases (I counted, Tash)
Number of times I touched my face today: I give up. If I die, I die.
Supplies: We’re going through a quart of salsa a day. Normal?
Dollars received from the government: $0 of $3400
Social distancing grade: C+ (Vet and Petco)
