Bishop's blog from New York…
He shall judge between the nations,
and shall arbitrate for many peoples;
they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:4
My first full day included meetings, worship and witness with People's Global Action on Migration, Development and Human Rights and the 4th International consultation of Churches Witnessing with Migrants.
We ended Tuesday with a prayer vigil in front of the Isaiah wall which is directly across from the United Nations. The prayer vigil which included testimony from Migrant workers and organizers was to demonstrate our solidarity with Migrants who are our neighbors and often seen as tools for economic development or victims. They are our sisters and brothers often victimized by Government policy, profit at all cost labor motives and the lack of protection that poor people around the world must endure. As one of our speakers shared, "migration can be seen as an opportunity to celebrate God's expression of rich diversity."
There are over 86 million migrant workers worldwide. As the United Nations High level dialogue on international migration begins tomorrow we were reminded that the labor industry is an "extractive" industry and often so called high level government meetings leave out the myriad voices and concerns raised by the millions of migrants too often exploited as drivers of economic engines of companies, industries and countries with too little regard for human dignity and human rights.
What can we do? We can join in partnership and solidarity with migrants and migrant workers. We can provide sanctuary and peaceful access to basic services supportive of individuals and families. We can advocate for immigration reform and faithfulness to United Nations Human rights goals.
For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. - Deuteronomy 10:17-19