Day of the Dead

Every year, Mexicans gather together to remember their loved ones who have passed away.

At the beginning of November, residents of Mexico and many Americans, celebrate "Dia de los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead." The day is often seen as morbid by those who do not have an understanding of the Mexican culture. Many people view death, not as a painful experience, but as a chance for a renewed life.

Families gather and create alters, cook food, and decorate graves for the loved ones that they have lost in prior years. Parades are held to honor loved ones, including children, parents and pets.

Tucson celebrates this holiday along with many southern towns in the United States. Activities will be held all around the city in preparation for the All Souls Parade on Nov. 4th. Check out this All Souls Video from past parades. For information about activities, check out Allsoulsparade.org .

It is a peaceful and fun time for many people. It gives people a chance to celebrate the lives of their loved ones, something that I never understood until I suddenly lost a loved on in February. I can understand the peace and even the joy that it can bring to honor the life of a person who has left so many things behind.

Here is a video I found on YouTube about Dia De Los Muertos. Enjoy!


Produced by hooligantv.com

Mission Trips

In 2005, I attended a mission trip with my church from Phoenix to Altacomulco, Mexico, a town just north of Mexico City. The mission where we stayed and worked is owned by my former pastor's daughter and brother-in-law. It serves as both a school and a church for the surrounding towns. We held vacation Bible school, did some work on the grounds of the mission and taught a few English classes to some of the kids in the surrounding area. It was by far one of the most inspiring and life-changing events in my life.

I was thinking about that mission trip today when I was trying come up with something to write about in my blog. It got me wondering how many mission organizations target the border towns of the U.S.- Mexico border.

So, off I went to Google and there I found numerous arrays of different companies that will arrange mission trips to almost anywhere in Mexico. All of them were headed by Christian organizations, something that I found rather interesting. I didn't see any Jewish, Muslim or other religion outreach programs. Not that I am saying they don't exist, but none popped up.

After doing this search, I can understand why many people in Mexico would choose to convert to another denomination of Christianity, despite the fact that the main religion is Catholicism. With so many different organizations and ministries traveling to different regions to aid and preach, I think they find it new and exciting.

Here are some interesting links I found if you are interested!

Go Missions to Mexico
Global Frontier Missions
Mexico Mission Trip

Humane Borders

Located near the University of Arizona is one of Arizona's largest humanitarian aid organizations.

Humane Borders is an organization that sets up over 70 water stations throughout southern Arizona to aid the thousands men, women and children who cross the U.S.-Mexico border on foot every year.

The organization is run out of First Christian Church and is led by Reverend Robin Hoover, co-founder of Humane Borders.

Humane Borders has volunteers from all over Arizona, all of which come from different faith bases and religions. It is an incredible organization that does a really great thing for people out in the desert.

Here is a video that I found on Youtube that shows what the organization does. It was done by Jerry Leggett.

St. Andrews

On Thursday, October 4th, a group of our "borderbeaters" woke up really early and drove down to Nogales, Arizona to cover what was going on at St. Andrews Children's Clinic.

The Clinic is run out of St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Nogales. It is the only one of its kind and is extremely inspiring.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from the trip or how I would feel being around children who are so sick. Suprisingly, I found everything very inspiring.

I paired myself up with Dr. Glen Baird of Shriner's Children's Hospital in Spokane, Washington. He was extremely easy going and very good with the patients. He and his assistant Nurse Diane Huffman have been attending St. Andrews for 8 years.

"It's crazy. Some of these kids come in and I don't recognize them," said Baird. "They get so big."

Shriners solely deals with orthopedic medicine. Therefore, all the kids who came to see Baird that Thursday had ailments like Cerebral Palsy and Clubbed Feet. Many were under the age of 10.

It was amazing to see the kids smile, laugh and speak with Baird and Huffman. The kids and the parents are so greatful for everything that the clinic does for them.

"Can you see anyone in America waiting in this line," asked Huffman. "No way."

Photos coming soon!

For more information on our trip, check out our special report at St. Andrew's Report