Our Night of Prayer

About a week ago, I gathered with some brothers and sisters from all across Orange County. Our agenda? Prayer. We prayed against the evil and corruption in so many countries around the world. We prayed for economic growth in these countries. We prayed for those on the journey. We prayed for their safety and protection. We prayed border patrol and ICE would have the strength to be compassionate. We prayed for the millions of undocumented people living in our country. We prayed for the children whose parents were deported, for students who are waiting for the DREAM Act, and for all those currently in Immigration detention. We prayed for every person who the Church has seemingly forgotten. We prayed that they would feel our prayers; that they would know we see them. We prayed that the Church would be the Church God intended it to be: loving, selfless, active, and just. We heard stories that pushed us to think about the individual instead of the issue. We were challenged to stand up for those society says are "less than." We were inspired by the hope our God offers and reminded that freedom is on the horizon. We worshiped our Lord in Spanish and English and held hands as we took communion together. We confessed our brokenness and asked the Lord to forgive us for our apathy. We laughed together over a delicious dinner. We cried together as we realized just how deep the pain goes. It was a powerful collaboration of different denominations, ethnicities, languages, and ages. I believe it was a glimpse of what heaven will be like, minus the heaviness of oppression.

It was just what I needed to continue this fight.

Now This Makes Me Angry

I recently got wind of a deeply troubling story about a young man living in the bay area. His name is Shing Ma "Steve" Li and below is a letter from his friends.

It is with a heavy heart that we write these words to you now. Our friend Steve Li is currently being detained in Arizona for immediate deportation! If we do not act now, we could lose Steve forever.

On September 15, 2010, ICE (Immigration Customs and Enforcement) raided Steve's home and arrested his family. Steve is ethnically Chinese but was born in Peru and was brought to the United States when he was just 12 years old. Steve was not even aware of his immigration situation until the raid. Now he has been detained for over a month and is set for deportation to Peru any day now.

He has no family or friends in Peru and would be homeless upon arrival. He is a warm and loving person and all he wants to do is finish school and pursue nursing. Isn't this the type of person we should be keeping in the U.S. and not treating like a criminal?

This is where YOU come in.

Please take a quick minute and sign this letter to California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer and ICE Director John Morton* and pass it along to your friends/colleagues/family.

They must intervene in order for us to bring Steve home.

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO BRING STEVE BACK HOME!

Sincerely,

The friends, family, and community of Steve Li

I am so angry right now as I imagine Steve sitting in his cell in immigration jail. Why would we deport him to a country that is not even his own? Why would we deport someone who has so much potential to make our country a better a place? It makes absolutely no sense and to be honest, it straight up pisses me off. Please take a second to fill out the petition and make a call. Just click here.

If this guy gets deported, I think I will lose all hope in our government's ability to act justly.

Willow Creek Interviews Matt Soerens

I came across this video on a friend's blog and thought I ought to share it as well. Matt Soerens, co-author of Welcoming the Stranger, answers questions submitted by Willow Creek members. I found this interview to be extremely helpful in addressing this issue from a Christian perspective. Matt know's his stuff. You can find references for the information he has all throughout his book. This video is long, but so worth it. You can watch it here:

http://vidego.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=a3922afd

I think it is so important for us as Christians to get our facts straight, stop living in fear, and start acting justly. Why haven't we seen a solution to this problem?? In my opinion, it is in large part due to the fact that those who should care, do not. Senators, Congressman, and other government leaders receive thousands of calls a day from the 20% that is for mass deportation (which is pretty unrealistic! Watch the video...Matt explains it) They receive significantly less from the 80% who would most likely be in favor of some sort of comprehensive immigration reform. They are not hearing our voices.

The bottom line is that millions of people are suffering everyday; families are being separated, children are losing hope, and innocent people are being exploited. It's time for us to get loud, not only because it will make our country better, but because it is what and who God has called us to be. If you don't agree...read the Bible.

(Please see my previous post about the National Day of Pray & Fasting for Immigrants...we will be sharing stories and praying for all of these issues.)

National Day of Prayer & Fasting for Immigration

On November 16th, 2010, Christians from across the nation are uniting in prayer and fasting for our broken Immigration system. If you want to join and commit that day to prayer and fasting SIGN THE PLEDGE HERE!

In Orange County, we will be gathering in the evening to break the fast and come before the Lord in community. We will hear stories of Immigrants, learn how our broken system is devastating the lives of millions, and learn how the Bible is directing us to respond. It will be a powerful night that you won't want to miss. If you are local and want to join us RSVP HERE!

We will gather at:

ROCKHARBOR, Costa Mesa, Studio K

345 Fischer Ave.

Costa Mesa, Ca 92626

A light dinner will be served at 6:30pm

The service will begin promptly at 7:00pm and end at 8:30pm

Friends, this is something that is obviously very important to me. I don't ask much of you, but I am asking you to join us for this night. It will be challenging, emotional, important, transformational and all around epic. Plus, it would be so nice to see your faces :)