October 22, 2007

Neighbors

Dear Friends,

Chris with a friend at the 50th annual state fair of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico.

September was a colorful month. Everywhere here on the United States and Mexico border the flags of these two nations were being displayed. On September 11th our American flags were at half-mast to commemorate the 9/11 tragedy. In Mexico, people were getting ready to celebrate Mexico’s Independence Day on September 16th. As I experienced these two occasions it occurred to me how blessed we are to be neighbors.

Yes, I know that may sound strange with all the negative news about the drug trade, poverty, and the immigration crisis. However, the fact is we are very blessed and we should not turn our backs on these blessings. The blessings I refer to come in the form of our relationships with one another. God blesses us when we follow Him into relationships with our neighbors. Certainly, there are challenges when relating across cultural boundaries, but we grow spiritually, become wiser, and grace increases. We are blessed when we work together as neighbors to overcome problems. This is not the way of the world, but is it the way of our Lord. 

Here in the neighboring towns of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, and Laredo, Texas, generations of people from both sides of the border have celebrated with each other during the good times and have consoled one another in the bad times. For September 11th I received an American flag as a gift of remembrance from one of our Mexican brothers in Christ. After that, I went with friends here in Nuevo Laredo to the 50th annual state fair or “la feria,” which coincides with the Independence Day celebrations. This fair is a tradition for families from both sides of the border. I was reminded that when we know our neighbors we can then know how to love our neighbors, which is something we as followers of Jesus Christ are called to do.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and, Love your neighbor as yourself.
Luke 10:27

We are truly blessed when we love our neighbors.