Tucson

Arrived in Tucson yesterday. Picked up a car and drove from the airport to the BorderLinks office in downtown. Had a nice chat with Delle McCormick, who is the executive director of BL. It has been a rough time for the organization. First, there is the downturn in the economy, then the threat of drug related border violence, and now the whole H1N1 flu scare. The delegation that I was supposed to be part of, the one that would have begun this Friday, fell victim to the flu-in-Mexico event.

The delegation which would have included pastors from Mexico, along with Global Ministries staff and pastor from Illinois Maya Ministry, had to be cancelled because the pastors from Mexico were prevented from travel. The government of Mexico cancelled public events, including church services, through last weekend. The whole month of May will probably be characterized with only absolutely necessary gathering in Mexico. And our Mexican partners - from the Congregational Church of Mexico along with two groups related to the Disciples of Christ could not travel to the border in these circumstances.

Rev. Felix Ortiz-Cotto, executive for Latin America and the Caribbean, says that we will try to reschedule. Delle hopes this will come soon, because not only does BorderLinks want to accomplish their mission - deeper knowledge of the dynamics of the border - but frankly, they could use the money.

Meantime I have a week in the Southwest to relax, travel and think. I will keep you posted.