Pan Dulce

Distractions

“Today I am traveling in Russia and I have asked Jeff Jones, Director of Community Affairs to write about his work.  Jeff is an outstanding communicator, servant, and mobilizer.  Jeff is the person to contact when churches want to plug into the Buckner vision.  Listen to his heart for connecting with future collaborators through Community Affairs.”

We often “find God” on a mission trip.  Amazing when you think about it, because He has promised He will never leave us or forsake us.  Why is it that we sometimes fail to experience His power and love in our everyday settings, yet discover Him more fully when we venture to other countries? Is it because the need for Him in America is not as great?  I don’t believe so.  Is it because He shows Himself more clearly when ministry occurs in impoverished surroundings?  Maybe, but probably not.

For me, I think it is because of the distractions.  I count it a blessing every day to work in an organization that is dedicated to His Kingdom work.  However, even though He has granted me such a privilege, I admittedly don’t always recognize Him throughout my day.  We have Bible studies in our mega-churches, home teams and choir rehearsals.  And, let’s face it, many amenities that make life “easier.”  But these great things are just that, “things.”  Without absolute focus on the One who has given us abundant eternal life, we are not complete, and these “things” can become distractions.

It is so wonderful to experience our Savior’s love.  He repeatedly expresses His love for children throughout His Word.  Maybe that’s why I see Jesus so clearly in the eyes of those children He has entrusted Buckner to care for.  Though life is simple for them, it is not easy.  When they come to know Jesus personally, He is enough for them.

Buckner is committed to provide meaningful opportunities for hands on service to the “least of these.”  If your church is interested in serving by sharing the message of hope in Christ to these children, please contact me at jjones@buckner.org.

If a child who is orphaned and forgotten by this world understands the love of the Savior, and that is enough, shouldn’t that be enough for us? 

He IS enough!  Commit with me to remember that and to avoid the distractions that prevent us from experiencing the fullness of His power and love for each of us, His Children.

      

Beyond The Current Reality

“This week I am traveling in Russia and I have asked Victor Upton to share his vision for the Missions Resource Group of BCFS. Victor is Vice President, Missions Resource Group for Buckner Children and Family Services. I am proud to have Victor on my team. Listen to his heart and his vision for "Maximizing Christian Resources and Leadership to Serve Children Around the World.”

Imagine that with my 19 years at American Airlines, I managed to have some connections that would permit “the next five callers” reading this blog to go to Hawaii for a week. Can you see the sandy beach, the blue water; feel the breeze blowing through the palm trees? Consider the things we’d need to do and questions we’d ask to get ready for the trip. When will we depart, where will we stay, what should we pack, can spouses accompany us, what about the kids, the weather, ground transportation, etc.. If we list  those things from that vision of Hawaii we have what is commonly called a plan.

The vision for Buckner Children and Family services is “To be a global force maximizing Christian resources and leadership to serve children and families around the world.” I’d like to add one other group; those inside Buckner. The Missions Resource Group is at the core of this vision.

It’s paramount that we provide our best to those we serve. We are serving the future leaders of the world…..our children. I’d like to see us continually improve our processes and our internal collaborations. The Buckner Foundation, External Affairs and our program leaders have opportunities to strengthen relationships with those who support Buckner by continuing to promote awareness of the plight of children and families at risk and strategically move our supporters along a continuum of recognition of Buckner, to friend to advocate to partner.

Our mission trips are beneficial not only for the areas we serve but for the lives of individuals, churches, and groups who travel with us. The testimonies and experiences are life changing. The work at our Humanitarian Aid Center is like a mini-mission trip where volunteers are able to physically touch the lives of less fortunate.

We need to look at every child we serve as potentially a future president, Nobel Prize winner, Prime Minister, professional, or leader in their community no matter what city, country or village. We must train those we serve not just to do things right but to do the right things with their lives and talents. We are commanded to help the least of these see beyond their current reality to the future possibilities of their lives.

The same holds true internally. I’m a firm believer in succession planning. We have an obligation to develop, grow, educate and maximize the potential of future leaders inside Buckner.   

God’s resources are vast. There are partnerships yet to be discovered. There are untapped domains and resources waiting to be released in service for the Lord. Texas is home to some of the largest domains or spheres of influence in the world in business, transportation, sports, technology, medicine, agriculture and social service. There are resources in those domains anxious to move from success to significance.

There are cities domestically that have challenges similar to our border communities. I call them “gateway cities.” Just as in our border communities where our ministries serve the disenfranchised from neighboring countries, there are communities in Miami, Seattle, Chicago, and Nuevo York that are gateways to South America and the Caribbean, Asia, Europe and beyond with similar issues and concerns. Any success or learnings we’ve gained on the border are applicable in these gateway communities.

The Mission Resource Group will discover new means and methods to share the love of Christ, develop practices and approaches for increasing Buckner’s effectiveness, coordinate our talent and ability to respond to opportunities, and mobilize resources held in storage for God’s glory.

Ordinary People

“This week I am traveling in Russia and I have asked Victor Upton to introduce himself to the readers of Pan Dulce. Victor is Vice President, Missions Resource Group for Buckner Children and Family Services. I am proud to have Victor on my team. I hope you enjoy getting to know him.”

Thanks Albert for this opportunity. Let me start by stating some facts and statistics. I’m a 55 year old African-American, married to Yvonne and father to 12 year old Victoria. Like a lot of those in Texas history, I’m from Tennessee. In fact, I was born about 30 miles from Father Buckner’s birthplace in east Tennessee. I’ve not spent much time in Tennessee having grown up an Air Force brat, but have lived most of life in Texas at various times.

I firmly believe that God has a sense of humor. When I was a child I dreamed that I’d grow up to have a family of five girls. I’ve been blessed with a wife, daughter, two cats and a dog (all girls!) and God has more than fulfilled my dream.

Obviously, we waited late in life to have Victoria. In fact she is the answer to much prayer and a miracle from God. Yvonne and I traveled along a three year journey that started with, ‘we’re only going to have a child naturally” to “maybe we should consider adoption.”  Near the end of that road we turned to, what we believed was our last option, invitro-fertilization but God had a different plan.

The doctors advised us to take a month to let medications and medical solutions clear out of our systems and to save because invitro is expensive. After a month we visited the doctor and had an exam. I should point out that I was literally sick for 7 days in anticipation. After arriving at the doctors office, we affirmed that we’d saved for the procedure and the physician stated, “Good, because she’s pregnant.” 

The Lord’s plans are often not our plans. In fact if you want to hear God laugh, tell him your plans. All too often the Lord sees more in us than we see in ourselves. God sees beyond the present. I think that’s why they call it the gift of life.

Another of God’s journey’s right after college led me to a government sponsored fitness/collection agency called the United States Marine Corps. The Corps taught me the value of a team. The importance of collective energy for a common purpose. The merit of everyday people from diverse backgrounds working for a shared goal.

While at The Basic School, the Marine Corps answer to West Point and Annapolis, but crammed into six months, I met a man who exemplified just such an everyday guy. He was short and thin by military standards. It was at a Marine Corps “mess night” or formal dinner. Two hundred and fifty young lieutenants in dress whites. He was addressing a small group. When he turned he wore an array of “fruit salad” (service ribbons) on his uniform and I immediately focused on a single ribbon at the top; light blue in color and sprinkled with small white stars. I was immediately drawn to the conversation.

Someone in the group asked how he came by the decoration and I asked him if he felt like a hero. His reply, “No, not at all.” He commented that he was an ordinary guy in an extra-ordinary circumstance.

We’re a lot like that in BCFS. Ordinary people in an extraordinary circumstance. Ordinary people in a war to reach 143 million orphans. Ordinary people helping orphans see beyond their current realities to the future possibilities of their lives.

We’re on the right team.

Buckner Russia from Godley, Texas

Today I am on my way to Moscow and St. Petersburg, Russia. I am traveling with Buckner staff, friends, and donors of our ministry. Dr. Hall is leading our group to learn about the work we have in Russia (see his blog www.bucknerprez.typepad.com posting entitled “All the Orphans” dated September 24, 2007 for a history of Buckner work in Russia).

I am looking forward to getting to know the friends who will be traveling with us and I am also looking forward to meeting the Buckner Russia staff. The Buckner Russia staff is part of Buckner Children and Family Services. I have met our staff in Guatemala, Peru, Ethiopia, and Kenya and still have other countries I have not visited where Buckner staff faithfully care for orphans and children at risk.

This past Sunday I announced to the congregation of First Baptist Church Godley, Texas www.fbcgodley,org that I was on my way to Russia. I spoke about 143 million orphans in the world and how they were part of our mission both in Texas and around the world. I shared that we don’t normally think of caring for children as missions. That is, until we hear the core mission of Jesus to bring good news to the poor. I encouraged the congregation to think of themselves as missionaries and to serve both in their county and in other countries. I was moved to hear the prayer for the offering that day. One of the church leaders prayed this prayer…”Lord, help us to meet needs both near and far.” In that one sentence he captured the local and global mandate of our mission. He captured both Jerusalem and the uttermost parts of the earth. Sounds like good Missiology to me.

I also challenged the church to Do Something (our theme this year)! I asked them to consider giving, going, and collecting shoes for orphan souls. It was amazing to see how a congregation located in Southwest Fort Worth has a missions passion for their community and communities around the world. I came away from spending a Sunday with Roy and Gwenda Carrell and their pastor and his wife, Rev. Kenneth and Leita Coleman, sensing a deep love for the Lord and a desire to make a difference in the world. The WMU organized a Cowboy Sunday and Chili Cook-Off. There were 22 entries into the contest and it was all good. No, I did not try each one of them but I wanted to. I did not get to the one called “Road Kill,” but it looked great. The Lord visited us that day. Folks made decisions it was a good time of worship and fellowship.

What does this have to do with Russia? Everything! I came away from FBC Godley reminded that the cutting edge of redemptive reality is the local church. I was well received and felt right at home. Something was familiar to me that day. Something that I find in all of the Texas Baptist Churches I have visited: A Passion for Missions and a desire to do the mission of Jesus both here in Texas and abroad. So today I am taking a piece of FBC Godley with me. I am going with their missions passion to Russia. I hope they were as blessed as much as they blessed me in worshipping the Redeemer of history. At the end of the day, Dr. Hall is right on target quoted Father Buckner…not one orphan but all orphans. Buckner exists to serve children at risk and orphans. If you would like to engage your church in this mission, contact Jeff Jones at jjones@buckner.org and we will get you started today or call Victor Upton at 214-758-8000. Speaking of Victor Upton, I will be asking for Victor to blog this week about himself and his vision for the Missions Resource Group at Buckner Children and Family Services. There will be other guest writers while I am on the road. I may also write about my experiences in Russia as well.

Pursuing Your Childhood Dreams and the Art of Leadership

Randy Pausch, a 46-year-old computer-science professor at Carnegie Mellon University, has terminal cancer and expects to live for just a few more months. This week, he said goodbye to his students and the Pittsburgh college with one last lecture called "How to Live Your Childhood Dreams," on his life's journey and the lessons he's learned. The Wall Street Journal called it "the lecture of a lifetime" and those who have seen it have more than agreed. A beloved professor at Carnegie Mellon, Pausch got a standing ovation from the 400-member audience before he even opened his mouth. "Make me earn it," he told them. While I am not endorsing his lecture, I do want to highlight the popularity of his topic. Google posted over 15,000 hits to his video-lecture since September 20, 2007.

Finding your identity and pursuing your dreams is at the core of the Andrews Leadership PhD program. The focus of the program www.andrews.edu/leadership/ is to develop a personal vision of who you will become through the program. Participants start out by writing a personal narrative and developing a clear vision for their future in the context of leadership development. A program of study is designed by the participant to close the gap between what he/she needs to learn to excel in his or her work assignment under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Participants in this program learn through coursework, online courses, independent studies, annual gatherings of the Roundtable (a meeting of 150 doctoral students), and peer learning in the context of a regional group.

I am part of the Lead Southwest Regional Group, a learning community. We met this past Friday for one day of fellowship, learning, and sharing our journey. The beauty of this learning style is that participants learn from each other. Our group is composed of two pastors, an educator, a psychiatrist/pastoral care executive, a global educational entrepreneur, and a social service agency president. The meeting is participant led and includes accountability. Participants organize the meeting by establishing the place and time, setting the agenda, assigning a note-taker, and assigning one of the members to run the meeting. The history of the Lead Southwest Group is that we have become a rather efficient group known for getting things done and learning from each other. In the past few years we have graduated participants like Dr. Ted Brown, Dr. Tom Horn, and are close to encouraging two other participants toward graduation. We meet seven times a year, three times in person and four times via teleconference. About once or twice a year we invite an Andrews professor to experience the day with our group, to provide an overview of the program for potential students, and to lecture on their area of expertise.

On October 12, 2007, the LEAD Southwest Regional Group will meet at the offices of Buckner International in Dallas. Dr. Erich Baumgartner, my faculty advisor, will be our guest. He will provide a 45 minute overview of the program at 9:15 am and lecture on the “Impact of Cultural Identity and Leadership.” If you are interested in attending the overview/information session to learn about the program please email me at areyes@buckner.org by October 5, 2007.

Leadership Competency

Today I am meeting with the Leadership Southwest Regional Group in San Antonio, Texas at Trinity Baptist Church. I am meeting with Bill Holmes, a physician and director of a pastoral care organization, Debbie Potter who serves as pastor to children and families at Trinity Baptist Church, Richard DeVost, a 7th Day Adventist Pastor, Kay Schaaf an adjunct professor at Indiana Wesleyan University and Brown Mackey College and Thom Wolf, educational entrepreneur in South Asia. We are all participants in the Leadership PhD Program www.andrews.edu/leadership/ enrolled at Andrews University.

We will be meeting with Dr. Sylvia Gonzalez, and Andrews Leadership faculty member. She is originally from Mexico and has specialized in organizational development. Dr. Gonzalez will be presenting on Organizational Development and Change during our day together.

The leadership program, unlike most PhD programs, measures leadership competency for the workplace. I really enjoy the program because it helps me become a better leader at Buckner. It helped me immensely while I was serving as president of Baptist University of the Americas www.bua.edu and has kept me on a learning curve in my new assignment at Buckner. I am a learning leader and continue to focus my learning and reading on leadership competency. How do you know if you are a leader? That is what the Andrews faculty focuses on. The following areas are what the Andrews program tests:

Leadership Reflection. Does the leader have the capacity to reflect on his or her leadership context? Does the leader have an ethical and spiritual point of reference for leadership? Does the leader have the ability and skill to mentor others in those disciplines?

Empowering Organizer. Does the leader have the ability to mobilize and allocate resources effectively? Can the leader mobilize staff, peers, subordinates, and other stakeholders? If so, how would we know?

Systemic Consultant. Does the leader have the skills to consult collaboratively? Can the leader effectively diagnose a situation, develop solutions, gather resources, and resolve an issue? Does the leader have the ability to present solutions effictively?

Dynamic Change Agent. Does the leader have the skills and ability to lead change effectively? Does the leader know how to manage relationships and move change forward in an organization at the right time and in a synergistic fashion?

Effective Teacher/Mentor. Does the leader have the ability and skills to teach others and mentor emerging leaders? Does the leader have the ability to develop succession plans that focus on leadership at every level of the organization?

Scholarly Researcher. Does the leader have the skills to make data driven decisions? Does the leader communicate findings in an understandable manner? Is the leader a competent researcher? This is where the dissertation fits into the program.

I am hosting Dr. Erich Baumgartner, my faculty advisor and the Southwest Regional Group here at Buckner on October 12, 2007 for a day session with my cohort group. We will feature a 45 minutes session that introduces the program at the beginning of the day. Let me know if you are interested in learning about the program. I would love to have you as my guest. Simply email me at areyes@buckner.org to make a reservation.

Andrews Leadership Program

Yesterday I spent the day working on my dissertation and on Friday I will be meeting with my regional cohort group in San Antonio for a day of learning about leadership. I am working towards the end of a PhD in Leadership from Andrews University www.andrews.edu in Southwest Michigan. The program is hosted by the School of Education at Andrews and also draws from the school of business and the school of theology to provide an interdisciplinary focus on leadership. Consequently we have leaders from business, the military, ministry, education, nursing, social work, and several other non-profit venues. The Leadership program has its own website at www.andrews.edu/leadership/ and provides all the information you would want to know about the program.

The program is designed for professionals working fulltime. It is not a program for fulltime students who are not employed because the program focuses on job-embedded skills and a competency-based model of academic rigor. The program requires each participant to develop a vision for themselves for who they will become at the end of the program and then requires the applicant to demonstrate competency in several areas as it relates to the participant’s work such as a reflective leader, empowering organizer, scholarly researcher, effective teacher/mentor, dynamic change agent, and systemic consultant. Each of these competencies has several parts that all add up to 20 facets of leadership competency. In order to graduate, the participant has to demonstrate competency in each area as shown in the accumulation of a knowledge base and theoretical frameworks, the application of this knowledge base to the job, and a reflection of the experience.

One of the unique features of this program is that it is learner-driven and based on an adrogogical model. That is, given a unique learning framework and baselines courses, the learner is in the driver’s seat regarding what he or she needs to learn in order to fulfill his or her vision for their future. The program is less prescriptive and allows the participant to custom design a learning plan in leadership with specific application to his or her career. The participant has the option to engage independent studies, to draw up a learning contract, and study their field and authors in that field in an effort to become an expert in that subject that relates directly to his or her job assignment. And yes, it is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, just like Notre Dame, Northwestern University, and the University of Michigan, and the University of Minnesota, etc.

I am hosting Dr. Erich Baumgartner, my faculty advisor and the Southwest Regional Group here at Buckner on October 12, 2007 for a day session. We will feature a 30 minutes session that introduces the program at the beginning of the day. Let me know if you are interested in learning about the program. I would love to have you as my guest. Simply email me at areyes@buckner.org to make a reservation.

Childhood Studies…Nothing new to Jesus

I am reading a book entitled Human Development by Diane E. Papalia and Sally Wendko Olds and came across an interesting paragraph about the history of childhood studies. Papalia and Wendkos wrote (page 9) that according to French historian Philippe Aries (1962), “not until the 17th century were children seen as qualitatively different from adults; before that, children were considered simply smaller, weaker, and less intelligent. Aries based his opinion on historical sources. Old paintings showed children dressed like elders. Documents described children working long hours, leaving their parents at early ages for apprenticeships, and suffering brutality at the hands of adults. Aries view has been widely accepted. However, the psychologist David Eklund (1986) found recognition of children’s special nature in the bible and in the works of ancient Greeks and Romans. And after examining autobiographies, diaries, and literature going back to the sixteenth century, Linda A. Pollack (1983) makes a strong argument that children have historically been seen and treated differently from adults.”

As soon as I began reading this section of the book, I thought, “This can’t be right.” I was glad to see the reference to the Bible and Greek and Roman culture. Jesus made a point of making room for children in his ministry. The Gospel according to Matthew, Chapter 19:13 says that little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and bless them but the disciples rebuked those that were bringing the children to Jesus. Jesus said “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

When Jesus taught adults about the Kingdom of God he referred to children so they might understand. Matthew 18:3 says “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom of heaven.

Jesus knew what scientists and philosophers struggle to understand. Children are special. They are different from adults. They do require special attention and energy in order to raise them to be productive adults. Buckner Children and Family Services is committed to this vision of raising children to be like Christ. Our resident and transition staff work on this very issue. Our foster care and adoption staff work hard everyday to help find families for children, and our church and community staff work hard on the preventive side of the equation in order to strengthen families and provide a healthy environment for our children. The BCFS staff understands what Jesus demonstrated…Children matter to God and they matter to us.

Take some time today to move into the life of a child and affirm them. Give a child a hug and a positive word. Bless them and pray for them, just like Jesus did. It is the Jesus way. Consider ways Buckner might help you touch the lives of children. Consider ways your congregation might bless the children at a campus near you. Email Michelle Harris mharris@buckner.org if that kind of effort interests you.

Amigos y Donantes…Friends and Donors Making a Difference

Friends and Donors really make a huge difference at Buckner Children and Family Services. Yesterday I attended the annual Sewell Golf Classic, a golf tournament designed to benefits about 180 Dallas children and families, primarily Foster Care and Family Pathways here in the Dallas Area. This was my first Buckner golf tournament. I was so impressed with the organization of the Buckner staff and the External Affairs team. Myndi Davidson, the Dallas Area Community Affairs Director did an outstanding job coordinating this event. There were numerous Corporate Sponsorships, a planning committee, Buckner Staff, Buckner Trustees, and lots of Buckner Friends and Donors.

I did not get to play in the tournament this year. I went to the lunch gathering to meet our staff, friends, and donors at work at the Bent Tree Country Club. I will be ready next year with a new set of clubs and some golf lessons behind me. I will not want to miss golfing next year. I watched our staff enthusiastically run the tournament and mingle with old and new friends alike. I was very impressed with what I observed. I am proud to be a part of the Buckner team. Time and time again, I walk away amazed at the level of excellence and the continuous focus on serving children.

Making a difference is what Buckner does best! We make a difference; I mean a real difference in the lives of children. We make a difference with the help of friends, donors, trustees, and staff who participated in the Sewell Golf Classic.

Just this weekend I had the privilege of visiting with Chiqui and Sergio Mollineado. Sergio and Chiqui brought a child from Guatemala to Texas to undergo a series of tests to provide specialized medical treatment. Chiqui is the Director of Buckner International in Guatemala. Through a cooperative agreement with Dallas Baptist University, the DBU Patriots Baseball Team will play exhibition games with the National Baseball Team of Guatemala in Guatemala City. We are hoping the President of Guatemala will throw the first pitch. All the proceeds of this event will be sent to support ministry and services to orphans in Guatemala.

While I was in El Paso this past week I met Mario Garcia, Mission Group Coordinator in the El Paso area. In his first summer, Mario hosted about 16 groups and already has plans for over 60 groups who will visit El Paso next year to make a difference in the lives of people along the border in the El Paso-Juarez area.

This is just a sampling of the kind of difference our staff is making everyday. Most of what we do best is not ever seen or reported. The care that an adoption staff member provides may never make headlines on my blog but they are making a huge difference in the lives of families and children who are undergoing the adoption process. Our Foster Care staff also performs daily miracles as they respond to the needs of children who need emergency placement. They are making a difference in the lives of children who really need help. I don’t have room to tell you about all the ways we are making a difference. Pray for our staff and trustees. Pray for our donors and friends. They are making a real difference!

Celebrando Nuestra Herencia y Conexión

Yesterday was el 16 de Septiembre, the day Mexico celebrates the birth of its Independence from Spain in 1810. Father Miguel Hidalgo provided “el grito” (the rally cry or shout) that marked the call for revolutionary forces to overthrow the Spaniards. Jose Maria Morelos followed the movement and also rallied troops. Both were captured and executed. In 1824, Vicente Guerrero (the name means warrior), liberated Mexico from Spanish forces. The nation of Mexico was born and consisted of all of Central America, California, New Mexico, Arizona, Texas, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and part of Kansas.

If you fly Southwest Airlines between the middle of September to the middle of October, you will see a logo that says “Celebrando Tu Herencia,” meaning “Celebrating Your Heritage.” Personally, I consider myself to be a Tejano, a third generation native Texan of Mexican descent. So I am celebrating my heritage this month as a Mexican-American. I also want to celebrate the connections for missions that my heritage brings.

Today I will be speaking at the Worldconnex Board meeting on the subject of the Hispanic-Arab Connection. Let me share a few thoughts that may be of interest to you as you focus your work. Dallas will be host to more Hispanic people than San Antonio in just a few more years and for the first time in the history of Dallas, Hispanics became the largest ethnic group. By 2010 every other Texas will be Hispanic. Demographics are continuing to shift in this direction across our state. What does this mean for ministry, missions, and the advancement of the Kingdom of God?

Missiologists have already concluded that the greatest resource to share the love of Jesus with our Arab friends are people of Hispanic heritage. Why? There are several reasons: First, there are 21,000 Spanish words with Arabic roots and there are about 7,000 words in Spanish that are pronounced identically in Arabic. Second, people of Hispanic heritage share both history and geography. Texas, of course, has a connection to Mexico (Remember the Alamo?), and Mexico has a connection to Spain (Remember Cortes?), and Spain has a connected to North Africa with 700 years of occupation by the Moors. Culture, architecture, and other ways of life have been channeled to the USA through these historic and geographic connections. Finally, we share similar physical features with Arabs. These factors provide wonderful bridges for friendships and for relationships by which the love of God in Christ can be communicated.

Do you see the dots connecting for Redemptive History? If so, the question of undocumented residents begins to take a new meaning. Beyond immigration reform, enforcement of our borders, guest worker programs, etc., we have a gathering to prepare for that will feature people from every tribe and tongue to celebrate the Lamb.