A learning journey in photos — Christ at the Borders in Calais

The participants in Chapter 2 of the Christ at the Borders Just Peace Pilgrimage. Front row (left to right): Weldon Martens, Arloa Bontrager (Mission Network’s regional director for North America, short-term service), Rachel Givens. Second row (left to right): Shelby Rudy, Marlinda Beachy, Barbara Thurma, Joseph Givens. Back row: Lane Miller (Mission Network’s regional director for Africa and Europe), Matthew Yoder.
The participants in Chapter 2 of the Christ at the Borders Just Peace Pilgrimage. Front row (left to right): Weldon Martens, Arloa Bontrager (Mission Network’s regional director for North America, short-term service), Rachel Givens. Second row (left to right): Shelby Rudy, Marlinda Beachy, Barbara Thurma, Joseph Givens. Back row: Lane Miller (Mission Network’s regional director for Africa and Europe), Matthew Yoder.

From April 7-18, nine adults participated in Chapter Two of the Christ at the Borders Just Peace Pilgrimage in Calais, France and locations in England. The experience was led by Joseph and Rachel Givens, who serve with Mennonite Mission Network at the Maria Skobtsova House in Calais. The house offers temporary shelter to people migrating from Africa and the Middle East, seeking refuge en route to the United Kingdom.

While in Calais, the pilgrimage participants prepared wooden panels marked with the names of people who died while attempting to cross the English Channel from Calais, France to Dover, England (see below).

Rachel Givens. Photo by Matthew Yoder.
Barbara Thuma. Photo by Arloa Bontrager.
Weldon Martens, Bradon Muilenburg (Anglican Refugee Support Lead in Northern France for the Social Justice Network based in Canterbury, England), and Matthew Yoder. Photo by Arloa Bontrager.
Marlinda Beachy and Barbara Thuma prepare hygiene items at the Secours Catholique (Catholic Relief) Day Center for people who are migrating. Photo by Arloa Bontrager.
The British government placed boulders in several locations in Calais to prevent people who are migrating from using the area as a campsite. Photo by Matthew Yoder.
Marlinda Beachy and Shelby Rudy stand on the deck of the ferry from Calais to Dover, England. Photo by Matthew Yoder.
The group spent a day sightseeing in London, visiting historical sites like London Bridge, among others. Photo by Matthew Yoder.

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