Clay in the Hands

Today I have a wonderful privilege before me.  My work crew, made up of 8 students and a couple of Baptist Student Ministries assistant directors, began work yesterday in Fabens, Texas, on a dorm facility.  We scraped and painted most of the exterior of the building.  Today we will return to finish what we started.  The facility is owned by First Baptist Church of Fabens and has been there for over 30 years.  It’s purpose is to house groups who come to the border to do mission work.  A number of years ago, one of the groups I lead actually stayed in the facility.  Over the years, countless thousands of people have stayed in the dorm, while ministering to the people in the area – on both sides of the border.

But there is another amazing ministry that operates in Fabens out of First Baptist Church.  It is called Crossing the Border Ministries.  Joan and Elfie run this effort.  It is a ministry that provides food for people on the Mexican side of the border.  Each and every Tuesday, pastors cross the border and enter Fabens.  They make their way to the church where they pick up food and other supplies and then return to Mexico to distribute the items to people in need in the villages along the border.  It is a wonderful and vital ministry.

It is one thing to give up a few days out of a busy schedule to come to El Paso and serve.  It is important and in many ways and just a couple of days can make a huge impact.  But it is quite another to make this kind of service a way of life and a daily existence.  That is what Joan and Elfie, and many others like them, have done.  What examples of commitment and dedication to God’s Kingdom!  They are reminders that God calls each and every one of us as followers in the Way, to make service to others a part of who we are – to make it a lifestyle.

I have heard about Crossing the Border Ministries for years, but today, I get to see it in action!  I’m pumped!  It is going to be a blessing.