estuary

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Beverly supports a baby on the baby-supply area.
The new U.T. Marine Science Institute Estuary Explorium is now open, and I get to be a volunteer docent! I've been learning more about the unique ecosystem created there where the freshwater from rivers co-mingles with saltwater from the gulf, like it does in our bay here between the island and the mainland. It creates a place where so much life thrives. It is also an in-between place. It's not the ocean nor the river. The water's salinity, temperature, and level change with weather, seasons, and tides. The flora and fauna are uniquely evolved to exist in that ever-changing environment, so long as the changes aren't too swift or drastic.

After my volunteer orientation, but before my first day as a docent, I spent some time in a sort-of cultural estuary. Three of us from Port Aransas traveled toward the United States-Mexico border; as we started our journey, I soon I realized that we were already moving from one type of cultural waters into another. We stopped off at a convenience store just outside of Corpus Christi where the primary language being spoken inside was Spanish, and the signs were bilingual. We were heading to the border to assist the churches in McAllen with their ministry to the families and children seeking asylum in the United States as they flee from the violence in their home countries of Honduras, Guatemala, and El Salvador. After traveling over 1,000 miles by train, vehicles, and on foot, many of the people arrive sick, hungry, and dehydrated. In May of this year, the citizens and churches of McAllen realized they needed to do something about the people arriving in their city as a way-station to other destinations across the United States. (At their final destination each refugee will go to a court and be tried before asylum is granted.)
Burt and I are sorting and packing supplies.

The result of the efforts of the church is that families and children do not fall prey to human traffickers and other predators trying to take advantage of the disoriented people. The churches are making sure that that the hungry are fed, the nearly-naked are clothed, and the thirsty are given a drink. It also means that the people arriving in McAllen are efficiently managed and get to the bus station on time, ready to move on to their final destinations, instead stagnating in that border town.

We live on the edge of a couple of geographical estuaries. One is our bay, and the other is the area around our border. It is important for us take responsibility for both of them and do what we can to keep them healthy if for no other reason, then to keep ourselves healthy. We are among the creatures who are uniquely evolved to live in such an ever-changing ecosystem, and we know how to adapt to keep these estuaries healthy, even when the conditions change. 

In one of the Biblical Creation stories, humanity is the last of God's creation: the final touch of the masterpiece; the crowning jewel of God's Very Good Creation. As part of this place of privilege, we are given responsibility (variously translated as "having dominion," "being stewards," or "governing") over all that God has created. Into this good creation, Jesus came to us to show what that really looks like: caring for the least among us as the way of sharing God's love and light. "Agape" is the Greek word for that sort of love. It's different from romantic love or familial love. It is the love that gives so that others may live the full life God intends for each of us. 

I'm still in the process of learning about our Mission-Aransas Reserve Esutuary, and I'm still learning about our McAllen Border Refugee Ministry. Each is complex and effected by our politics, and what's happening "upstream." The upstream problems will have to be addressed in due time in order to keep each estuary healthy. Trying to comprehend everything at once is overwhelming, but for now, I can go sort clothes, and offer water to a weary traveler. I can also be a docent for an education center, and I can pick up trash around the bay and beach. I can realize my place of privilege and try be a good steward of the corner God's very good creation where I live.

Originally Published in the South Jetty

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