Texas Border

Upcoming trips with Woodland Church to the border

January 12 & 13, 2024

Lance went to the Gateway International Bridge
Brownsville TX & Matamoros Mexico

Lance participated with Fellowship Southwest (and others) in a “Walk For Life” on Saturday, January 13 at 10:30 am to pray and bring awareness to saving asylum. Alma Ruth from Practice Mercy organized the event.

Take a look at this TPR article by Gaige Davila.

Schedule:

10:30- Prayer and Press Conference at Bridge on Brownsville side
11:15- Walk the bridge
12:00- Prayer and press conference on Matamoros side of the bridge
12:30- Migrant camp site visit

Walk for Life: Save Asylum Poster. Saturday, January 13, 2024, 10:30 am. Gateway International Bridge. Brownsville TX & Matamoros, Mexico.

What story do the following photos tell?

A group of caring people gathered to pray for asylum seekers and stand with them. Their camp went from 1000s a few weeks ago to about 100 due to pressure from the US on Mexico. We talked with some boys (around age 7 or 8) who were incredulous that we were from the US and we had our papers. The river has two layers of razor wire and Border Patrol agents.

Speak up!

Asylum seeking is a world-wide human right and it may end in the US. Migrants should have the right to ask for asylum; the US then will determine to grant the asylum or not.

Please talk use your voice to let our officials know that asylum seekers are humans not bargaining chips. Asylum seeking should not be traded for aid to Ukraine and/or Israel.

Standing with Asylum Seekers in Brownsville
Gathering in Brownsville near Gateway International Bridge in support of Asylum Seekers
Gathering in Brownsville near Gateway International Bridge in support of Asylum Seekers
Walking across Gateway International Bridge from Brownsville to Matamoros
Walking across Gateway International Bridge from Brownsville to Matamoros
Playground at Asylum Seeker Camp in Matamoros
Abandoned Spiderman Toy outside of Asylum Seeker Camp near river
Abandoned part of Asylum Seeker Camp
Looking across the river from Matamoros -- discarded blankets, sleeping bags, and clothing
Looking across the river from Matamoros -- discarded blankets, sleeping bags, and clothing
Looking across the river from Matamoros -- discarded blankets, sleeping bags, and clothing
Looking across the river from Matamoros -- razor wire
Looking across the river from Matamoros -- razor wire
Outside the Asylum Seeker Camp in Matamoros
Asylum Seeker Camp in Matamoros

Woodland Church will take several trips to Brownsville to work alongside Pastor Navarro and West Brownsville Baptist Church and their migrant ministry. Watch this page for details.

 

Find out more about what is going on at the border:

  • Click this link to watch a video with Elket Rodríguez and Cameron Vickrey talking about the immigration policy changes that are leading to the increased numbers of people coming through the Brownsville port of entry and why your help is needed.
  • Read this article on “What Happens After Title 42” by Elket Rodríguez.
  • Read this blog post by John Whisler about his experience at the border.

The work

  • Prepare food and supplies at Iglesia Bautista West Brownsville (925 W St Charles St, Brownsville, TX 78520), and/or
  • Greet migrants at the bus station Welcome Center (755 International Blvd, Brownsville, TX 78520) and pass out food, bibles, and other supplies.

 

You do not have to be bilingual, although Spanish would be helpful. The migrants are of many nationalities, not just Spanish-speaking.

You are welcome to bring your supplies to donate. The most significant needs are

  • baseball caps
  • flip flops
  • Gatorades
  • gift cards to Sam’s Club, Walmart, and Little Caesar’s Pizza.