Communion At The Border

I wanted to see the border wall end in the ocean. It's how Darci and I ended up at Border Field State Park today, as we spent an extra day in San Diego to do laundry, rest a bit, and spend some time with my dear friends the Tewells who have graciously hosted us these past few days.

We didn't even know Border Field State Park existed until after lunch. We spent the morning shopping at outlets that were a mere parking lot away from the first border fence. It was when we were waiting for drinks in a long line at starbucks that I map quested a nearby beach I hoped would get us close. On the map the park came up. Following the link led me find that we could indeed walk up to the most Southwestern point  in the United States.....and so we took off with frappucinos in hand.

Border Field State Park is only open to cars on the weekend for a $5 fee per vehicle. As we paid at the gate, the attendant told us that if we wanted to see the Monument Mesa (the actual stone marking the border), Friendship Park was only open until 2pm, but that the other part of the park was open for the day. It was 1:45. With no idea where Friendship Park actually was, we drove the couple of miles down a paved road and up a hill to park on a bluff overlooking the border fences and the pacific ocean.

As we got out of the car, we could see an opening in the first fence and people moving beyond. We realized Friendship Park existed between the fences and we had only a few minutes to get close to the border wall.  As we jogged over, a border patrol officer stopped us to tell us we were not to "go through the fence in any way; either over, under, or around." We smiled, replied, "yes, sir" and entered the restricted area.

There were a dozen people within the gap between fences. A few children ran around as a man spoke into a microphone; first in English, followed by Spanish. Most of what he said wasn't registering with me as I took in the sights and sounds of a place I didn't know existed. On the other side of the thick, tightly wound fence, a couple of dozen Mexicans stood and listened. Most of what the man said wasn't registering with me as I took in the sights and sounds of place I didn't know existed. Dars and I were a bit in awe that instead of the usual hundreds of yards, we were only inches from Mexican soil.  We were as close to the border as one can physically get on the United States side. I snapped a couple of photos even as I heard the familiar words, "This table is an open table. Christ invites all....." I froze, then quickly turned to Darci and said, "Dars.....we get to take communion at the wall. RIGHT NOW." Her reply was just as quick, "I KNOW!"

I cannot sum up the emotions held in that moment. The trust I have that God is leading and yet all the doubts I still carry. How confusing and heavy all these conversations of immigration and cultural divisions are....and how easy, yet hard it is to explain that almost three months ago, God told me to go to the border between San Diego and Tijuana. And what felt like an "accidental" stumbling into the border was a divine appointment to stand at the fence, with all my questions, doubts, and hopeful prayers.....and be offered the grace that Christ extends to us through Communion.

The worship team was on the Mexican side of the border. With a ukulele, guitar, and vocalist, they led us in Spanish with How Great is Our God and Trading My Sorrows...As we had only caught the end of the service, we stood at the fence, placed our hands on its metal bars, and prayed; for our countries, our families, and for those who are separated by this wall. There wasn't much space to see through the fence, but I noted that three generations of men stood on just the other side of the fence from me. I wonder at their stories, what brings them to the border fence, what keeps them hoping for change.

We spent a few moments after the service speaking with John Fanestil, a United Methodist Pastor, the "man with the microphone".  The group, El Faro: The Border Church, works to keep Friendship Park open, as a way to allow families separated by the border to see one another, to stand face to face with only a fence between them.

After everyone had left, Darci and I spent some time walking along the coast...mainly in silence, enjoying the beauty of the ocean and the feel of the cool waves washing over our feet. Even after we made it back to our host home, it was a couple of hours before we mentioned what had happened at the Border. A holy moment in the midst of security and metal bars and empty land.

I will taste and see....the Lord is good.

Read More in the Arizona Series

Communion at the Border

Day 1: The Day We Probably Should Have Been Stopped By Border Patrol

Day 2: Settling in and Making Plans

Day 3: The Day of No Pictures

Day 4: Nogales, A Border Town

Day 5: The Reality of the Desert

Day 6: Water is Life

Day 7: Sanctuary at St Francis in the Foothills UMC

Peace and Justice Studies Association Conference 2014

Thomas, a volunteer photographer, summed it up perfectly in our conversation when he said, "You just seem to blunder into these things don't you?" I thought back to how this trip and many adventures before had come about....and simply nodded. The Peace and Justice Studies Association Conference for 2014 was held at the University of San Diego, a gorgeous campus of stucco buildings and mosaic tile fountains. The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice hosted the event, appropriately themed, "A Courageous Presence; Shifting Stories and Practices of Peace."  Attendees came from all around the world to talk about difficult topics ranging from current wars to environmental issues and everything in between.

The conference kicked off Thursday night with an opening plenary of many introductions, a "grounding" exercise (imagine your feet as roots anyone?) and a tad bit rambling speaker, who spoke with passion, but also mixed many, many messages into a short time that involved many calls for shouting and the occasional standing up to hug your neighbor.......

I went into the conference knowing that I would likely feel a bit out of my element, this being my first "academic conference", but as we made friends and had real, engaging conversations with other attenders, I settled in to knowing that this was an opportunity to share my heart and what God has done and is doing.

And as I quickly learned, at a conference where there are 18 options to choose in the breakout sessions, the average workshop boasts only a handful of people. But intimate crowds are what I love, and before my time  came, we pushed all the boardroom tables to the outside of the room, pulled the chairs in close, and had ourselves a house concert.

And friends, we had church. In a semi likely place, at a quite unlikely time. A few people who decided they had had enough of the "head stuff" and came seeking a time of hope and encouragement. As one attender, Jack said to me afterwards, "Thank you for being courageous enough to share Christ in a place that doesn't always include Him.".....well, he said it in a much more "academic way". :o)

THE PACIFIC OCEAN!!

Stand in the Pacific Ocean. Bucket List Check. After a day of driving through Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and California last week, Darci and I made our way down to the beach in the dark to stand in the chilly sand so I could dip my toes in the same water that touches Hawaii. Spending the night in Santa Barbara gave us the opportunity to stroll the wharf and enjoy fish and chips oceanside, with other tourists mulling around, seagulls begging for food, and a lovely sea lion swimming by.

We drove from Santa Barbara to an old high school friend (Hi Mesa!) in Lake Forest, south of LA. We took PCH- Pacific Coastal Highway, to take advantage of the ocean views for as long as possible. The trip involved some beautiful overlooks, a major freak out when I thought we were going to get hit by a landing plane, and then lots of LA traffic as we got into the city.

Most surprising to my East Coast eyes, is how close the mountains are to the ocean. I dearly love views like this:

Also, due to the high number of palm trees, I may have thought we were in Florida on one or two occasions.

Every Night a Different Home

We drove all day yesterday through Utah, Arizona, Nevada and on to the coast of California before arriving at a house tucked off of a neighborhood street in Santa Barbara. As we pulled into the driveway, our hosts were waiting to greet us with hugs and introductions as we unloaded our bags and had a tour of the house before sitting down to a dinner of salad, pasta, and garlic bread. After dinner came ice cream and chocolate chip cookies.... so much love in such a short span of time!

Olivia and Brian are the sweet parents of a girl I met at a songwriting retreat a month ago. They didn't know why we were in California, only that we needed a place to stay. We spent dinner asking each other questions and sharing a bit of our stories.

It was well after ice cream that the conversation turned to our upcoming time in Arizona. What has led us to seek and bear witness to the border, immigration, and anything else we have yet to know. We talked about the diversity of this part of California, our immigrant stories, and about our own held stereotypes and pre-conceived beliefs. These are the most beautiful moments of this trip, when we share with one another beyond the surface, when we allow the Spirit to lead and we open our hearts to hear from those we have only just met.

I am continually humbled by the hospitality of a welcoming home. To you it may be a simple bed, couch, or flat surface to sleep, but to me it is a safe place to rest, to recharge, to just....be. Each place is a home away from home, a new stepping stone in this vagabond's travel. I think of Susan in Kansas City, who fed me blue bell ice cream as we sat in her cozy kitchen, of the Falconers in Garden City whose little ratty dog I cuddled with on the floor while we talked late into the night. These new friends don't know how their words of faith and love and challenging questions give me encouragement to press on.

And I think to the houses I am the most comfortable in, the ones where doors are left unlocked and kids are anxiously waiting.... my friends in the midwest who bolstered my confidence before I ever set off for land unknown. Life done with others is rich, beautiful and just....so right.

Wyoming to Utah

It rained all the way up to the Colorado State line. And then it sopped. Wyoming welcomed us with sunny, windy arms and we joyfully ran around a large visitor center decked out with hands on explorations of outlaws, territorial prisons from which those outlaws escaped, and the skeletal remains of a woolly mammoth. 

But just as quickly, the sun turned to rain, which turned to snow. The temperature dropped 15 degrees in a matter of minutes and right about the time Darci remarked, “is that a snow plow up ahead?” I realized that I should not be the one driving the remaining few miles of the day’s trip….so we pulled off an exit and Darci took the wheel.

We spent the night in Laramie with our dear friend and School of Worship Alum, Ryan and his wife Bobbie. We laughed and shared stories and ate homemade pumpkin bread, brownies, and some sort of concoction involving turkey and zuccini…so good!  Ryan and Bobbie live in a house divided into apartments, which allowed us the unique opportunity to stay in the guest room downstairs next to the laundry area where an antelope had been carefully deconstructed earlier in the day…..when in Wyoming!

Yesterday was sunny and “see your breath” chilly as we headed west toward Utah.  The views were absolutely gorgeous and the day warmed up as we passed snow capped mountains and fields of antelope.  This is the land of cowboys and nomadic souls. I am in love.

Utah brought red rocked, cavernous landscapes broken up by valleys and dotted with small towns. We stopped in the canyon where the Pony Express, California, and Mormon Trails passed through...all those people in search of better lives, full of hopes and dreams.

Sunset over the Utah mountains was swoon worthy.  I am thankful for Darci, for being adventurous and willing to drive....so I can dreamily stare at the passing views, soaking in what God has made and praying for what is to come. Today we head for California... my first visit to the Pacific Ocean!

Colorado

In my mind it was going to be an epic return into Colorado Springs where I spent 10 months at the New Life School of Worship a few years back.  The sun would be shining, and the mountains would slowly appear on the horizon, always there, always beckoning. I would be awestruck and in wonder how God creates such beauty..... Instead it rained all day. And as I turned north of Pueblo, it POURED. Drive slow, hope not to hydroplane pour. And the clouds were so low, not a single mountain could be seen even after I arrived in the Springs. I might as well have still been driving through Kansas.

Despite the awful weather, which did turn BEAUTIFUL on Saturday, it has been amazing to catch up with friends, drive around the old haunts and eat at the Heart of Jerusalem Cafe in Manitou Springs.... I dream about this plate of hummus, pita bread, and dolmas.....SO GOOD!

And last night, my time here in the Springs finished out with an intimate, cozy house concert hosted by my "Colorado mom", Mary. Mary and Doug hosted me during the school of worship and their house has a gorgeous, open, acoustic great room in which I look forward to playing in again. :) It felt all the more important tonight to share the promptings of this trip, of what we seek, to hear the words as I speak that my heart may remember this is not something I made up in the vast regions of an overactive imagination. That God is leading this journey forward. We follow as bravely as possible.

The mountains were again covered in clouds as I drove to Mary's. It drove me crazy. I knew they were there and that my time before leaving was growing short. I felt the parallels to this trip.... I know there are things that God has put into place, things that He is stirring around and in and through, but it's a bit foggy right now. I was reassured when I peeked out the back window later that evening...... to a beautiful, unabashed sunset. I will taste and I will see.....

Driving the Countryside (IL to KS)

t was eerily quiet under the Kansas sun as I stood next to a row of graves on a grassy knoll outside of Fort Larned, a preserved Indian War Era Fort somewhere off of highway 156.  The wind rustled the leaves of nearby trees and caused the American flag raised high above the buildings to whip and unfurl.  It was about that moment that I looked around to realize that I was completely. alone. In the middle of Kansas. And to this girl raised in the Northern Virginia suburbs of the DC metro area..... that means an ounce of rebellious freedom and a mountain of irrational fears.

I love a place where the echoes of the past can be seen and heard and felt. Where you can imagine General Custer riding up, the scouts keeping an eye on the horizon. The possibility of warriors slinking through the trees.  There is also the evidence of the darkness that still lingers, the chains attached to the floor of the brick building set apart from the dining halls and lodges.  This was not entirely a place where soldiers merely played card games to pass the long evenings between riding the countryside.

Finishing up the house concert leg of the trip left me a couple of days to meander the middle of America, between host homes in Kansas City, MO and Garden City, KS before arriving in Colorado Springs last night. I made a quick stop in Des Moines, Iowa to catch up with fellow School of Worship Alum, Kim, who is having a marvelous time leading worship at Hope Church. We picnicked with soup and salads from panera in their large lobby before she gave me a quick tour and ran off to a meeting.

Later that day found me out in Richmond, MO to epically sing "Bob Ford" on the legend's grave...I hope to do a later post on that experience.....

I stayed the night south of Kansas City with the lovely Susan, a new friend I hope to visit again soon! And then Missouri blended into the long, open roads of Kansas..... when I got to my friend Uzzi, another School of Worship Alum, he remarked, "you know, Garden City isn't really on the way to Colorado Springs, right?" ..... I have learned that the direct route is not the way this trip will go..... it is the journey my friends, not the destination. :)

And after a beautiful night of worship, applebees, and making new friends with some Kansans....it was a rainy drive to Colorado and in the Springs. The next few days are catching up and seeing old friends, sparking some conversations, and sharing a bit of music before heading North and further west.... oh the faces and voices I have missed. Phone calls and facebook messages can never do justice to the living, breathing friend right in front of you. Lovely.

The House Concert Leg (VA to IN to IL)

This morning I find myself with three kids sitting quietly at a table with ninjago legos strewn about....no one is quite awake yet. There's a dog- one part border collie and one part fox who is pacing the room, still unsure if I am a friend or foe.

Last night wrapped up the five consecutive days of events/house concerts. Fairfax, VA- Fort Wayne, IN- South Bend, IN- Noblesville, IN- Valpo, IN- Rock Island, IL.  There has been a multitude of bonfires, smores, cookouts, laughter, and new friendships...I'm in love.These are the days where there are moments, of connection, of the Spirit, of shared music and worship. I'm always amazed that an evening in someone's living room is the perfect space to share the antics of Bob Ford AND the adventure of going to the Border and following God's call. Madison came for a couple of days!!! I wanted to give the cello a try in the house concert setting and it added such dimension....maybe she needs to get finished up with college and come out on the road more often??

I hope the pictures share the variety and craziness of the last week.  The long drives always ended in catching up with friends with quickly led into late nights of visiting, early mornings of coffees and showers before jumping in the car again. Things will be a little slower this week and I make my way over the next few days across Missouri and Kansas to arrive in Colorado Springs on Thursday. There I'll have a house concert Saturday and then my good friend Darci and I will be on our roundabout way to CA through Wyoming and Utah.

Thank you friends for the beds, the living rooms, the conversations.  Can't wait to come back with the stories.