Tres Rios Border Foundation - PC(USA) on the US-Mexico Border

Dear Friends,

It’s an honor to serve as a Presbyterian Border Coordinator in partnership with Abara Borderland Connections. My wife, Melissa, and I have four children and our family lives on the US-Mexico border in El Paso, TX. I’ve served as a pastor and non-profit leader for over twenty years between major cities with an emphasis on justice, solidarity, and empowerment. Throughout our journey we continue living, working, and learning in marginalized communities.

At the invitation of PC(USA), we're in process of listening, connecting dots and relationships, and laying groundwork to launch a new Tres Rios Border Foundation. May we invite your team or Missions Committee to prayerfully consider the following ways to engage? I look forward to connecting with you in the near future and please do not hesitate to reach out to me if I can serve you in any way.

PAZ,
Nate D. Ledbetter 
915-701-4657 | AbaraFrontiers.org | AwakenNeighbor.com

__________________________________________________________________________________

WAYS TO ENGAGE

You’re Invited! [we’d love to personally host you on the border]

We’re Open to Come Your Way. [invite us to offer sermons or presentations]

Do Other Voices Come to Mind? [introduce us to anyone you recommend]

Quarterly PC(USA) Border Encounters. [bring a team for border reflection and response]

Beyond the Borderlands. [radical welcome in our backyards]

For Speaking or 3 Day Border Encounters: Nate Ledbetter // nate@abarafrontiers.org

WAYS TO GIVE

Become a Sustaining Partner. [join as one of 7 individual donors or congregations to give $500/mo. for 5+ years]

Join as a Dream Builder. [consider a major gift to leave a legacy]

Jumpstart a Focused Giving Circle. [invite friends to give any amount together]

TO GIVE TODAY

Your gift impacts on both sides of the border.

University Presbyterian Church
Memo: Tres Rios Border Foundation
244 N Resler Dr, El Paso, TX 79912

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE REALITIES WE FACE TODAY?

On the US-Mexico Border, tens of thousands of families are fleeing from The Northern Triangle of Central America (Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala). The world is polarizing. Border cities around the world share unique perspectives. The realities of migration, push/pull factors, and the “why” upstream have significant implications for the divides we see and experience. Meanwhile, thousands of our neighbors seek refuge in the face of gang violence, economic despair, trauma, war, extortion, corruption, disintegrated families, and natural disasters along global refugee highways. Title 42 remains in place. MPP “Remain in Mexico” is at-risk of being reinstated. Afghan refugees are arriving in El Paso at Fort Bliss. Now is the time to connect the dots for racial justice, anti- racism, and beloved community across the borders that exist within ourselves and in all of our cities.

WHAT WOULD VOICES IN LATIN AMERICA LIKE FOR THE U.S. AMERICAN CHURCH TO KNOW?

“Learn about the realities in our countries, build bonds, develop relationships.” – Father Alexis Tegucigalpa Honduras

“I retained my dignity when I fled violence in my village. I held my dignity when I took one of the most dangerous journey’s in the world. I felt like I lost my dignity when I was detained in the U.S. for seeking legal asylum.” – Anonymous Central American Neighbor

(crying) “My heart is changed from today onward. Because I feel that I have brothers and sisters in the US with the same heart. In Central America we have felt so devalued (by the church in the US), like all we want is money.” – William After-school & community outreach worker, Guatemala

WHY GIVE TO TRES RIOS BORDER FOUNDATION?

At the invitation of local voices on both sides of the border, we envision dignified shelters offering welcome. We envision pastors and congregations flourishing in the presence of God. Tres Rios Border Foundation is guided by the following distinctives:

Prayerful Listening: Our action flows from listening for the Holy Spirit’s leading voice.
Low Overhead: Our low expenses leverage more resources where needed most.
Everyday Neighboring: We invite you to engage and give – whether that’s $25 or $25K.
Empowerment: We affirm dignity, friendship, and “doing with not for.”
Holy Welcoming: We accompany each other through reciprocal giving and receiving.
Root Causes: We work for justice with kindness, solidarity, and humility.
Narrative Change: We center local voices through dignified storytelling.

These distinctives guide our focus to disperse future grants and deepen relationships that work to empower integral mission. May we embody the good news of Jesus of Nazareth.

Artwork: Cd. Juárez mural,   "Juarense y Poderosa", By EL MAC & Dave Grave. This mural is located at the CEHLIDER building: Calle 20 de Noviembre #4305, Col. El Colegio