Border Joy is Narrative Change

As you may know, one of our core commitments is Border Encounters, immersive experiences that foster understanding and empathy on the US-Mexico border.

So, today, as part of our Border Joy campaign, we invite you to join us in celebrating resilience by reading Jeff’s story from a recent Border Encounter.

When people step into the borderlands, our hope is simple and bold: that we are all changed by the voices we hear, the history we encounter, and the dreams and perspectives that are often overlooked.

Jeff is a living example of that kind of transformation. His journey reveals what becomes possible when connection replaces distance.

We can’t wait for you to read his story, written in his own words, and to consider how your support makes encounters like these possible.

With love,
Clara and the Abara team

Jeffory Stukey, Director of Ambassadors of Dignity, Border Encounter participant

What we experienced at the border changed our lives. We went there with questions. We returned with stories, convictions, and the beginnings of a new mission. We discovered that it sometimes takes proximity to dispel stereotypes.

We saw the Kingdom of Heaven come near in the eyes of a five-year-old child at a shelter in Juárez; in the tears of a grieving mother who had lost her son to cartel violence; in the compassion of Rosy, who rallied pastors across Juárez to open their churches (at great personal cost) to immigrants; in the passion of Sami, who founded Abara to reshape the conversation about immigration; and in the quiet strength of Michael, a retired high-ranking Border Patrol official who directed a shelter, serving those he once detained.

Each encounter transformed our understanding and our hearts. Immigration ceased to be a political talking point and became deeply personal. We saw humanity, real faces, real stories. We witnessed sacrificial love offered in the name of Jesus. In short, we witnessed the Kingdom of Heaven drawing near.

At age 75, I had no intention of starting another organization. I reasoned: I’m old. I’m tired. I’m done. I’d already built two successful businesses and had no interest in the challenges of starting something new. But one little yes led to another little yes. And little by little, Ambassadors of Dignity was born.

The mission of Ambassadors of Dignity is to build bridges with our immigrant neighbors while honoring the God-given value of every person. Over the past year, we’ve helped a grieving immigrant family pay for their son’s funeral and provided food and utility assistance for families in crisis. Additionally, we have been partnering with an elementary school that is 87% Hispanic, through reading programs, volunteering at events, community care, and financial support, and much more. In the process, we have discovered that the “border” is only 20 minutes away.

A year and a half ago, I was a bored, retired baby-boomer. I’m still a Boomer. However, I am now semi-retired. And I am certainly not bored anymore! 

This is a story of ordinary people saying yes to the next right thing, opening hearts, hands, minds, and pocketbooks. But it’s also an invitation … to you to be part of the story! Wherever love restores dignity, the Kingdom of Heaven comes near.

Note: We are so grateful for Jeff’s journey and the role Abara got to play. Click here if you would like to donate to Ambassadors of Dignity, or click here to get in contact with Jeff.