It's almost 11pm here in Tijuana, and we are scheduled to depart at 2am for San Diego. My muscles are sore, my tummy is still full from our final mexican dinner, and I can barely keep my eyes open as I write this post. I therefore plan to write this post as a series of random bullet point rather than the lengthy, thought-out narratives I usually like to write :)
1. I first of all wanted to mention that we did complete the foundation for the home we've been working on all week and what an amazing feeling that is. Today we worked with barely any breaks as we passed thousands of heavy buckets of cement for hours until we finished. After we completed our work we had a fiesta together with the families and community members with the most delicious food and cake to celebrate what we had completed.
2. Our bodies were pushed to the limit this week. And we're sore. We've got bruises and bumps and cuts and blisters to prove it. But it feels good. I've always liked feeling sore because it means I worked hard for something. I think that's why I'm so drawn to athletics and sports - because it feels so good to physically work towards a goal. I was talking to some of the other students on the trip today about physical labor and exercising. We talked about a quote that recently circulated, "working out should not be a punishment, but a celebration of what your body is capable of." If my body is able to dig out trenches with a pick ax and pass buckets of cement for 5 days, then I will happily do that, especially if the result is a new, safe home for someone. My volleyball coach always says, "embrace the opportunity to play because there are so many people who would love to be able to play." Every aching muscle and knot in my back has been worth it this week. And the bruises look cool too :)
3. Though this week has been a bit of a break from writing my undergrad thesis (which is due very soon), I was amazed to make so many connections between what happened on this trip and what I am writing about in my thesis - ethnic and national identity. Within our group of Wooster students, we have a Cameroonian-American, Lithuanian-American, Colombian-American, Mexican-American, and an Ethiopian. Any time we drove somewhere in our big white and maroon vans, we had the best conversations about the ethnic and national dynamics within Mexico and how those relate to our personal experiences and our respective ethnic communities. We talked about migration, leaving one's home country, retaining cultural practices and traditions, and how people identify both ethnically and nationally. I am extremely thankful for the wide variety of perspectives between all of us students on this trip as we experienced the culture of Tijuana together.
4. Lastly, I just wanted to express my gratitude for all those individuals who made this trip so memorable. First of all Nate and Phil who did most of the organizing and coordination for this trip - flights, packing lists, and communication. Second, the members of Trinity UCC, with all their construction knowledge and experience for guiding us novices through new and unfamiliar tasks at the work-site. To the Esperanza staff - Eduardo, Stanley, and others - for their hospitality and guidance throughout the week at the Posada, at the work site, and out in the city. And lastly, the families and community members for working along side us and for the amazing food they cooked us for lunch everyday. To everyone and anyone I interacted with during this trip, and all of you back home who supported from afar - thank you for a perfect, humbling, and fulfilling week :) goodnight.
Marija Cyvas
Friday, March 15, 2019
Friday Evening
This is Phil Starr typing again. We finished up the work week!!! We finished up the foundation brick and poured the cement for the foundation! It was nearly a 50 cement bag pour! Our group is working so well together. We are all tired.
We will have a closing circle with Eduardo then go out to eat. We plan on leaving the Posada at 2:00 am for our 7:00 am flight.
Just wanted to make a quick post...
Phil
We will have a closing circle with Eduardo then go out to eat. We plan on leaving the Posada at 2:00 am for our 7:00 am flight.
Just wanted to make a quick post...
Phil
Thursday, March 14 - from Joel Chupp
Day 4 of the build and our 6th day in La Gloria, Mexico south of Tijuana. Our building site is located in a small dusty colonial (town) called El Tapia which overlooks the beautiful Pacific coastline and is juxtaposed with resort villages and luxury homes seen in the distance overlooking the ocean. There is a stark contrast between these homes and those found in El Tapia which reflect a community with a much lower standard of living.
We are now more familiar with community members and Esperanza staff as evidenced by the warm interactions, laughter and good-natured joking while hard at work. I am amazed at how cohesive our group has become despite our significant age differences and backgrounds. Our college students give a whole new meaning to the term “powerful women” has they pass cement blocks, buckets of soil and sand and help dig trenches up to 60” in depth with pick axes and shovels all the while jamming to continuous tunes blasting through large speakers on the job site. It’s certainly broadening the genre of music I can appreciate!
As my friend John told me, “This experience will change your life.” - and it certainly has. I have found beauty here despite circumstances most would describe as impoverished. It is found in the lives of the people, in the eyes of the children and in the strength, determination, and resiliency found in the Esperanza community. These are people that come together to support each other and lend a hand despite having jobs and families of their own. They are determined to improve not only their own lives but the lives of others in their community.
Tomorrow is our last day on the job. It is bittersweet in that we are all looking forward to getting back to our loved ones but we are also saying goodbye to our newfound amigos here in Mexico. I will be forever grateful for this experience which has broadened my perspective on our neighbors to the south. It has also strengthened my resolve to continue to work for justice and resist the bigotry, prejudice and intolerance which has found a new voice in my own country. -Joel Chupp
Friday morning update
This is Phil Starr again! It is hard to believe that this is our last workday!
We had a great workday yesterday (day 4). We pretty much finished laying the first four layers of block for the foundation. This also includes rebar that helps to support the house.
Last night we took the Esperanza staff and their families out to eat at Francisco Villa in Rosarito. We have done this for a few years now and it is nice to be able to say Thank-you to the Esperanza Staff and their families. We want to thank the Trinity Woman's Guild for their donation that helped pay for the dinner.
Today part of the group is listening to Eduardo give his border talk and the rest of the group will head to the work site and get things ready to pour cement into the foundation brick. We estimate that we will have a 40-50 cement bag pour - it will be a lot of work!
We had a great workday yesterday (day 4). We pretty much finished laying the first four layers of block for the foundation. This also includes rebar that helps to support the house.
Last night we took the Esperanza staff and their families out to eat at Francisco Villa in Rosarito. We have done this for a few years now and it is nice to be able to say Thank-you to the Esperanza Staff and their families. We want to thank the Trinity Woman's Guild for their donation that helped pay for the dinner.
Today part of the group is listening to Eduardo give his border talk and the rest of the group will head to the work site and get things ready to pour cement into the foundation brick. We estimate that we will have a 40-50 cement bag pour - it will be a lot of work!
Thursday, March 14, 2019
Thursday morning update
This is Phil Starr from Trinity. Today is the start of the fourth workday. The week is moving along very fast. Our group is doing very well. We are working well together at the work site and having fun in the evening at our various events.
Last night, Wednesday night, we went to casa del migrante - a migrant shelter sponsored by the Catholic church. We had a tour of the facility which was built as the shelter. It kind of reminds me of a 4 floor hotel. We learned that all the shelters in Tijuana are full. There have been many "caravans" come to Tijuana and many small groups of people from other countries seeking refuge.
We ate dinner across the table of recent deportees or migrants. Jamie, Joel and I sat across the table from an English speaking man who had just been deported from San Diego a few days ago. He was born in Mexico and at an early age his parents moved the family to San Diego. We guess that he is 35 years old. So he had probably been the states for 30 years. He never kept his papers up to date. He had gotten picked up for a DUI and when he got out of jail didn't follow the orders of his parole and ended up being deported.
The men we talk to here remind me of the homeless people in Wooster some of which sleep on our church steps. These are people in what seems are hopeless situations.
My suggestion to the man we talked to was to take advantage of all of the services that casa del migrante has to offer - help with getting a job, social workers, Doctor/nurse, etc.
At the worksite - so far this week we have been digging for the foundation of the house. Some parts we are digging down 60 inches - some 35 inches. Today we are supposed to level off the floor, lay sand, lay the foundation block which includes rebar.
We won't get to see the finished house this year for Saul and his family but we will be able to see finished pictures in a month or so. Once the house is finished - here is one of the views that they will have:
Last night, Wednesday night, we went to casa del migrante - a migrant shelter sponsored by the Catholic church. We had a tour of the facility which was built as the shelter. It kind of reminds me of a 4 floor hotel. We learned that all the shelters in Tijuana are full. There have been many "caravans" come to Tijuana and many small groups of people from other countries seeking refuge.
Our group getting a tour at casa del migrante
We ate dinner across the table of recent deportees or migrants. Jamie, Joel and I sat across the table from an English speaking man who had just been deported from San Diego a few days ago. He was born in Mexico and at an early age his parents moved the family to San Diego. We guess that he is 35 years old. So he had probably been the states for 30 years. He never kept his papers up to date. He had gotten picked up for a DUI and when he got out of jail didn't follow the orders of his parole and ended up being deported.
The men we talk to here remind me of the homeless people in Wooster some of which sleep on our church steps. These are people in what seems are hopeless situations.
My suggestion to the man we talked to was to take advantage of all of the services that casa del migrante has to offer - help with getting a job, social workers, Doctor/nurse, etc.
At the worksite - so far this week we have been digging for the foundation of the house. Some parts we are digging down 60 inches - some 35 inches. Today we are supposed to level off the floor, lay sand, lay the foundation block which includes rebar.
We won't get to see the finished house this year for Saul and his family but we will be able to see finished pictures in a month or so. Once the house is finished - here is one of the views that they will have:
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Here I am to worship
While we were at the border on Sunday there was a protest rally at the border. They were playing music - we taped one of their songs "Here I am to Worship."
Link to Here I am to worship
Link to Here I am to worship
Tuesday, March 12, 2019
Shoveling Dirt and Rice
Hello readers!
My name is Mia, I am a student at the College of Wooster. This is my first trip to Tijuana and it is amazing! Today we continued shoveling/pickaxing out trenches that will serve as the foundation to the house. Since it rained for the most of the night the dirt actually was the butter that was promised. The sun did come out and it was a beautiful day! There is the most beautiful view from the work site with the ocean and this hill that has these yellow flowers growing all over. After lunch we packed up and went to a convent where we served dinner at a food kitchen.
I serve breakfast at Trinity every Monday so I had some idea what this was going to be like, however, I was surprised. First, they serve consistently over 100 people, probably around 150 average. This large volume is in contrast to Trinity which does not feed as many people. I was in charge of scooping out the rice onto plates and the pot that the rice had a diameter of around 2 feet, easily the largest pot I have ever seen. I was able to talk to some of the nuns that live in the convent, one said that they don't have a home, they just go from convent to convent, where ever they are needed. This experience was very powerful and made me realize the importance having access to hot meal wherever you are. As I was scooping out this rice it was reminding me of the dirt that I shoveled in the morning. As enjoyable as they both are I think I like shoveling rice better, not as heavy. Tomorrow I am looking forward to making more progress on the trench.
My name is Mia, I am a student at the College of Wooster. This is my first trip to Tijuana and it is amazing! Today we continued shoveling/pickaxing out trenches that will serve as the foundation to the house. Since it rained for the most of the night the dirt actually was the butter that was promised. The sun did come out and it was a beautiful day! There is the most beautiful view from the work site with the ocean and this hill that has these yellow flowers growing all over. After lunch we packed up and went to a convent where we served dinner at a food kitchen.
I serve breakfast at Trinity every Monday so I had some idea what this was going to be like, however, I was surprised. First, they serve consistently over 100 people, probably around 150 average. This large volume is in contrast to Trinity which does not feed as many people. I was in charge of scooping out the rice onto plates and the pot that the rice had a diameter of around 2 feet, easily the largest pot I have ever seen. I was able to talk to some of the nuns that live in the convent, one said that they don't have a home, they just go from convent to convent, where ever they are needed. This experience was very powerful and made me realize the importance having access to hot meal wherever you are. As I was scooping out this rice it was reminding me of the dirt that I shoveled in the morning. As enjoyable as they both are I think I like shoveling rice better, not as heavy. Tomorrow I am looking forward to making more progress on the trench.
Greetings from Tijuana,
My name is Jennifer and I am a senior at the College of Wooster and this is my second year coming on the trip and my unofficial role has been that of translator. The past few days have felt like a lifetime worth experiencing for eternity. We have seen, experienced, and felt many things. On Sunday, we went to the beach near the border to see the wall. Upon arrival the mood in the vans changed from a chatty ambiance to a somber remembrance. Although quite colorful and defiant, the wall imposes a world of significance.
As we walked down to the beach where the wall ends, I was called by John, Joel, and Phil who had been talking to a couple of Honduran men who were a part of the caravan. Both men were cousins and the youngest of the two had come three days prior to meeting us. The older of the two said, "I came with the caravan in October leaving four kids and a wife behind. I had no other choice, but to come. At home, taxes were being raised and I was threatened to be killed several times for not being able to afford the higher taxes. After the last time where they almost took my life, I decided to come. I came to Tijuana in hopes of crossing the border so I can work for a few years and earn money for my family. I know it is hard to cross, but I have hope and it is my dream to cross. My cousin here joined me three days ago, he is an orphan and I am his only family left. At least now I am not alone when sleeping on the streets. I have tried finding work here in Tijuana and have found several odd jobs here and there for a few days. I had a construction job for a few weeks that initially told me they were not hiring Hondurans, I didn't say anything but a few weeks later they found out and fired me. There's a lot of discrimination against Central Americans here in Tijuana and I can only hope I can find work to help me cross the border."
Hearing the story of the two Honduran men, had me in a deep reflection about the struggles, sacrifice, and endurance a person goes through to hope and dream for a better future.
Here is a photo of the two wonderful men
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216263553013337&set=a.10203595749646170&type=3&theater
My name is Jennifer and I am a senior at the College of Wooster and this is my second year coming on the trip and my unofficial role has been that of translator. The past few days have felt like a lifetime worth experiencing for eternity. We have seen, experienced, and felt many things. On Sunday, we went to the beach near the border to see the wall. Upon arrival the mood in the vans changed from a chatty ambiance to a somber remembrance. Although quite colorful and defiant, the wall imposes a world of significance.
As we walked down to the beach where the wall ends, I was called by John, Joel, and Phil who had been talking to a couple of Honduran men who were a part of the caravan. Both men were cousins and the youngest of the two had come three days prior to meeting us. The older of the two said, "I came with the caravan in October leaving four kids and a wife behind. I had no other choice, but to come. At home, taxes were being raised and I was threatened to be killed several times for not being able to afford the higher taxes. After the last time where they almost took my life, I decided to come. I came to Tijuana in hopes of crossing the border so I can work for a few years and earn money for my family. I know it is hard to cross, but I have hope and it is my dream to cross. My cousin here joined me three days ago, he is an orphan and I am his only family left. At least now I am not alone when sleeping on the streets. I have tried finding work here in Tijuana and have found several odd jobs here and there for a few days. I had a construction job for a few weeks that initially told me they were not hiring Hondurans, I didn't say anything but a few weeks later they found out and fired me. There's a lot of discrimination against Central Americans here in Tijuana and I can only hope I can find work to help me cross the border."
Hearing the story of the two Honduran men, had me in a deep reflection about the struggles, sacrifice, and endurance a person goes through to hope and dream for a better future.
Here is a photo of the two wonderful men
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10216263553013337&set=a.10203595749646170&type=3&theater
Tuesday morning
Ola to everyone who is reading this post. I am Kevan Franklin, Pastor Of Trinity United Church of Christ in Wooster. We really appreciate the fact that we are able to bring you with us on the Esperanza trip virtually. I hope that you are also able to view the pictures that some of our members have posted on Facebook. This is the tenth year that Trinity has partnered with the College of Wooster on this trip to Mexico.
Each day several members of our trip will add to this blog. It is always great to bring people down here for the first time as they are able to see things that we don't wonder about anymore. During our reflections last night several students mentioned how much trash is laying around. Those of us who have been down here before know that things have improved dramatically. In fact, most of the time we spend talking about "the way things used to be". Each year we come back, we see dramatic progress on the infra-structure here in Tijuana. Electricity, plumbing, trash removal, highway paving and better maintained vehicles.
On our first day of work yesterday, we worked on a lot that is in the earliest stages of development. Most of the time was spent digging trenches for the footer. Toward the end of the day, it began to rain so we ended the day early. The family serves the lunch and are proud and happy to host us. They served a pork verde meal which was one of the nicer meals we have had for lunch. We actually sat at plastic tables and had chairs to sit on! We usually turn buckets over and eat sitting in the balance.
We enjoyed several dogs on the site. One in particular that wanted to lick everyone's face. We worked on a site at the bottom of a mountain which was covered with thick green grass and flowers. A goat herder came through with about fifteen goats. A mother and her little girl were herding the sheep and they started dancing to the music from our work site. One of the first things that these work teams do is to unload a large pa speaker so that we have music to find a g rhythm with the shovels, picks and bucket lines. This was a favorite moment for the COW students. Our worksites draw a lot of people in the community out to watch to see what we are doing. The work of Esperanza is more than building a house. We are building a world community.
Thanks you for following our Trip. Please check in daily and comment or add questions if you have some. We want you to be part of our world community building!!
Rev. Dr. Kevan S. Franklin
Trinity UCC
Esperanza Mission trip
Each day several members of our trip will add to this blog. It is always great to bring people down here for the first time as they are able to see things that we don't wonder about anymore. During our reflections last night several students mentioned how much trash is laying around. Those of us who have been down here before know that things have improved dramatically. In fact, most of the time we spend talking about "the way things used to be". Each year we come back, we see dramatic progress on the infra-structure here in Tijuana. Electricity, plumbing, trash removal, highway paving and better maintained vehicles.
On our first day of work yesterday, we worked on a lot that is in the earliest stages of development. Most of the time was spent digging trenches for the footer. Toward the end of the day, it began to rain so we ended the day early. The family serves the lunch and are proud and happy to host us. They served a pork verde meal which was one of the nicer meals we have had for lunch. We actually sat at plastic tables and had chairs to sit on! We usually turn buckets over and eat sitting in the balance.
We enjoyed several dogs on the site. One in particular that wanted to lick everyone's face. We worked on a site at the bottom of a mountain which was covered with thick green grass and flowers. A goat herder came through with about fifteen goats. A mother and her little girl were herding the sheep and they started dancing to the music from our work site. One of the first things that these work teams do is to unload a large pa speaker so that we have music to find a g rhythm with the shovels, picks and bucket lines. This was a favorite moment for the COW students. Our worksites draw a lot of people in the community out to watch to see what we are doing. The work of Esperanza is more than building a house. We are building a world community.
Thanks you for following our Trip. Please check in daily and comment or add questions if you have some. We want you to be part of our world community building!!
Rev. Dr. Kevan S. Franklin
Trinity UCC
Esperanza Mission trip
Looking at Tuesday
Hi - this is Phil Starr from Trinity. It is Tuesday morning and about half of our group is up.
We are having a fantastic trip so far!!!
Yesterday was our first workday. We spent the day digging probably about 1/2 of the footer for the house. Part of the ground was dirt and the other was rock - which makes digging and picking pretty hard. We made good progress and cut our day short when it started to rain at 3:00 pm.
Our group is working well together. The family was made up of Saul and we are not sure about the rest of his family members are. There were also about 6-8 neighbors helping us work as well.
Last night we came back to the Posada and showered. Then eventually went to the Taco Stand for dinner.
Today we have more digging and we will serve dinner at a homeless shelter tonight.
We will write more soon.
Phil
We are having a fantastic trip so far!!!
Yesterday was our first workday. We spent the day digging probably about 1/2 of the footer for the house. Part of the ground was dirt and the other was rock - which makes digging and picking pretty hard. We made good progress and cut our day short when it started to rain at 3:00 pm.
Our group is working well together. The family was made up of Saul and we are not sure about the rest of his family members are. There were also about 6-8 neighbors helping us work as well.
Last night we came back to the Posada and showered. Then eventually went to the Taco Stand for dinner.
Today we have more digging and we will serve dinner at a homeless shelter tonight.
We will write more soon.
Phil
Monday, March 11, 2019
Esperanza truly means Hope
Good evening everyone!
My name is Maresa, and I am a sophomore at the College of Wooster. I am so happy to be on this trip and to be impacted by the people and the culture, even in such a short time. It's funny to think that I have learned so much from the small time I have been here, but things work in mysterious (and maybe even quick) ways, no? I wanted to share with everyone my experience at the border. Being a child of immigrants (any Cameroonians here!), I can resonate a lot with other immigrant families. Going to the border was an interesting, painful, and yet hopeful experience. It is quite hard to explain unless you have been there. I have heard stories of friends and family members and their journeys to the States or their rejection from the States and being able to talk to people who have been through similar experiences but just from a different part of the world has made me understand the experience of my fellow loved ones even more.
The first thing that I was told when heading to the border was that there is an area for family members and friends on both sides to communicate through the wall. Over time, the restrictions have become greater, but the love and hope of individuals have still remained. When we first got to this area, I heard the voice of a small child. I looked over in joy because I love children, but I was met with a heartbreaking image. A young boy stood on the opposite side of the wall (the States), while a man stood on the Mexican side. The young boy could not have been anything older than 5. His small yet stern stature caught my eye as he titled his small head all the way up to meet the eyes of the man on the other side. The young boy was talking to this loved one with so much joy and happiness and as if he has gone through this routine one too many times to shed tears. They spoke as if there was not a wall there, but the man laid his arm on the wall looking as if he wanted to touch the young boy. He wanted to hold him and kiss him. I do not know their story nor do I want to invade but this image of a hopeful child and a resilient man came full circle for me. Esperanza truly means hope I thought. The event was so jarring that I wrote a poem on the way back to the posada, and I hope you enjoy.
----
I saw a little boy today, and there was so much hope in his composure that I wondered where mine had traveled after all these years. His tiny voice screamed, "I'll be able to hug you once again loved one. I'll be able to touch you soon again loved one. We'll be able to talk face to face loved one." Face to face. No border. No walls. No walls to distinguish between groups of people from the same earth and the same beginning. "You'll be able to make it loved one. You'll be able to watch me grow loved one. You'll be able to cry with me once you cross loved one. They won't keep you there for long. We'll be together soon enough."
I heard this all in a little boy's voice. I saw this in a little boy's body. Maybe one day, we'll be able to talk face to face without a wall. We'll be able to treat everyone as precious humans longing for the social companionship of another. We'll be able to welcome one another. We'll be able to see, like that boy, that there's hope in humanity if you try really hard to look for it. We won't be "us" nor "I" nor "them." We'll be a collective "we." A strong "we." A powerful "we." Together. No matter the color, language, spirituality, gender, sexuality. No border. No wall. No more
----
A young boy has taught me how to hope again. A young boy has taught me how to love again no matter the circumstances. A young boy has taught me that it is I who can help make a change, one person at a time. Though I did not listen to their conversation or understand the language, I still was provoked by the experience. My heart sank because I knew that he was strong and he has been that way for so long, even in his short lifespan. So, so can we. I hope everyone finds a little boy as I did. I wish someone teaches you what hope is by bringing it to your front door. I hope that hope will prevail along with love and "us versus them" will be no more, but "we fight no one",
Thank you for reading my post, and I hope I brought you some great insight into the world I have been so happy to discover.
Sincerely,
Maresa
My name is Maresa, and I am a sophomore at the College of Wooster. I am so happy to be on this trip and to be impacted by the people and the culture, even in such a short time. It's funny to think that I have learned so much from the small time I have been here, but things work in mysterious (and maybe even quick) ways, no? I wanted to share with everyone my experience at the border. Being a child of immigrants (any Cameroonians here!), I can resonate a lot with other immigrant families. Going to the border was an interesting, painful, and yet hopeful experience. It is quite hard to explain unless you have been there. I have heard stories of friends and family members and their journeys to the States or their rejection from the States and being able to talk to people who have been through similar experiences but just from a different part of the world has made me understand the experience of my fellow loved ones even more.
The first thing that I was told when heading to the border was that there is an area for family members and friends on both sides to communicate through the wall. Over time, the restrictions have become greater, but the love and hope of individuals have still remained. When we first got to this area, I heard the voice of a small child. I looked over in joy because I love children, but I was met with a heartbreaking image. A young boy stood on the opposite side of the wall (the States), while a man stood on the Mexican side. The young boy could not have been anything older than 5. His small yet stern stature caught my eye as he titled his small head all the way up to meet the eyes of the man on the other side. The young boy was talking to this loved one with so much joy and happiness and as if he has gone through this routine one too many times to shed tears. They spoke as if there was not a wall there, but the man laid his arm on the wall looking as if he wanted to touch the young boy. He wanted to hold him and kiss him. I do not know their story nor do I want to invade but this image of a hopeful child and a resilient man came full circle for me. Esperanza truly means hope I thought. The event was so jarring that I wrote a poem on the way back to the posada, and I hope you enjoy.
----
I saw a little boy today, and there was so much hope in his composure that I wondered where mine had traveled after all these years. His tiny voice screamed, "I'll be able to hug you once again loved one. I'll be able to touch you soon again loved one. We'll be able to talk face to face loved one." Face to face. No border. No walls. No walls to distinguish between groups of people from the same earth and the same beginning. "You'll be able to make it loved one. You'll be able to watch me grow loved one. You'll be able to cry with me once you cross loved one. They won't keep you there for long. We'll be together soon enough."
I heard this all in a little boy's voice. I saw this in a little boy's body. Maybe one day, we'll be able to talk face to face without a wall. We'll be able to treat everyone as precious humans longing for the social companionship of another. We'll be able to welcome one another. We'll be able to see, like that boy, that there's hope in humanity if you try really hard to look for it. We won't be "us" nor "I" nor "them." We'll be a collective "we." A strong "we." A powerful "we." Together. No matter the color, language, spirituality, gender, sexuality. No border. No wall. No more
----
A young boy has taught me how to hope again. A young boy has taught me how to love again no matter the circumstances. A young boy has taught me that it is I who can help make a change, one person at a time. Though I did not listen to their conversation or understand the language, I still was provoked by the experience. My heart sank because I knew that he was strong and he has been that way for so long, even in his short lifespan. So, so can we. I hope everyone finds a little boy as I did. I wish someone teaches you what hope is by bringing it to your front door. I hope that hope will prevail along with love and "us versus them" will be no more, but "we fight no one",
Thank you for reading my post, and I hope I brought you some great insight into the world I have been so happy to discover.
Sincerely,
Maresa
Sunday pictures
This is Phil Starr again - click the link below to see some of our Sunday pictures. Sunday we went to the border, downtown shopping, lunch and visited the cultural center.
Link to Sunday pictures
Link to Sunday pictures
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Ideas don't work unless WE do!
Hello,
My name is Alayt Issak and I am a sophomore at The College of Wooster. I came on this trip because I wanted to see the border situation between the US and Mexico with my own eyes. As an international student from Ethiopia, much of the details I've heard about this situation have been through mass media and I wanted to change that perception.
Today (Sunday) was our last day of cultural immersion into Tijuana before we start work bright and early tomorrow morning. I believe we'll be digging through mud as soft as butter in order to prepare the foundation for the home we'll be building.
The day began with an excellent start. A few students and I attended mass at a nearby Catholic church at 10am. Although I do not speak Spanish, I was able to understand the ceremony quite well. At noon, the entire group went to Friendship Park, which is where the US - Mexico border wall lies. Until recently, there was no wall and families used to meet at the park, spending hours before parting separate ways. However, about thirty years ago, the US added various layers of security beginning from barbed wire, all the way to active patrol. In fact, the security at the wall tightens every year as various levels of security are added. The most explicit one was in 2009 when the US added a second wall and dedicated land from their territory as a 'no man's land'. The wall extends all the way int the ocean.
Aside from restricting movement, the wall is very symbolic. It sends a message of hope to the families that have been separated. Every Sunday, the gate on the US side opens up and families can see each other. From the Mexican side, everyone has access to the wall 24/7, but from the US side, (as per a person on the other side said), you need to park your car and walk 1.5 miles in order to reach the wall.
What stood out most to me, was the unbelievable prevalence of US based fast food chains, such as KFC and iHOP, that engulfed the Mexican side of the border. They made it seem like the Mexicans in Mexico were experiencing the life they could have if they were in the US, right there in Tijuana. The chains were, yet again symbolically, selling the 'American dream'! Their highly corporate opportunistic aim that is making money out of the hopes and dreams was extremely saddening, startling and aggravating to see, especially as the US is largely responsible for the mass divide of families.
After the park, we went to La Placita, a nice restaurant in downtown Tijuana. Lunch was accompanied by a live Mariachi band and coincidentally followed by there an open air festival with live music and artisan goods from all around Mexico. It felt great to experience such genuine vibes, free from the tourist traps all across the city.
Soon after exploring the festival we went to the Museum of Tijuana. The museum looks like a giant circle perched in the middle of the city, as the structure resembles that shape. The content of the tour was nice and concise, as the exhibit started from Pre-Columbian Mexico, to the Chinese community heritage in Tijuana (surprisingly), all the way until present day Baja California (the state). The museum had eye-catching interactive exhibits including a walk-in ship that allowed you to perceive arrival into the new world from the European's ship.
Lastly, at about 7pm, the museum was followed by dinner at a nearby Taco Stand. I went with the group to see if they had any vegan options, but unfortunately they had none! Thankfully, I am in the avocado capital of the world and was able to make amazing avocado on toast!
That's it from me!
Looking forward to the much anticipated work tomorrow!
My name is Alayt Issak and I am a sophomore at The College of Wooster. I came on this trip because I wanted to see the border situation between the US and Mexico with my own eyes. As an international student from Ethiopia, much of the details I've heard about this situation have been through mass media and I wanted to change that perception.
Today (Sunday) was our last day of cultural immersion into Tijuana before we start work bright and early tomorrow morning. I believe we'll be digging through mud as soft as butter in order to prepare the foundation for the home we'll be building.
The day began with an excellent start. A few students and I attended mass at a nearby Catholic church at 10am. Although I do not speak Spanish, I was able to understand the ceremony quite well. At noon, the entire group went to Friendship Park, which is where the US - Mexico border wall lies. Until recently, there was no wall and families used to meet at the park, spending hours before parting separate ways. However, about thirty years ago, the US added various layers of security beginning from barbed wire, all the way to active patrol. In fact, the security at the wall tightens every year as various levels of security are added. The most explicit one was in 2009 when the US added a second wall and dedicated land from their territory as a 'no man's land'. The wall extends all the way int the ocean.
Aside from restricting movement, the wall is very symbolic. It sends a message of hope to the families that have been separated. Every Sunday, the gate on the US side opens up and families can see each other. From the Mexican side, everyone has access to the wall 24/7, but from the US side, (as per a person on the other side said), you need to park your car and walk 1.5 miles in order to reach the wall.
What stood out most to me, was the unbelievable prevalence of US based fast food chains, such as KFC and iHOP, that engulfed the Mexican side of the border. They made it seem like the Mexicans in Mexico were experiencing the life they could have if they were in the US, right there in Tijuana. The chains were, yet again symbolically, selling the 'American dream'! Their highly corporate opportunistic aim that is making money out of the hopes and dreams was extremely saddening, startling and aggravating to see, especially as the US is largely responsible for the mass divide of families.
After the park, we went to La Placita, a nice restaurant in downtown Tijuana. Lunch was accompanied by a live Mariachi band and coincidentally followed by there an open air festival with live music and artisan goods from all around Mexico. It felt great to experience such genuine vibes, free from the tourist traps all across the city.
Soon after exploring the festival we went to the Museum of Tijuana. The museum looks like a giant circle perched in the middle of the city, as the structure resembles that shape. The content of the tour was nice and concise, as the exhibit started from Pre-Columbian Mexico, to the Chinese community heritage in Tijuana (surprisingly), all the way until present day Baja California (the state). The museum had eye-catching interactive exhibits including a walk-in ship that allowed you to perceive arrival into the new world from the European's ship.
Lastly, at about 7pm, the museum was followed by dinner at a nearby Taco Stand. I went with the group to see if they had any vegan options, but unfortunately they had none! Thankfully, I am in the avocado capital of the world and was able to make amazing avocado on toast!
That's it from me!
Looking forward to the much anticipated work tomorrow!
Are You Listening?
Hello everyone. My name is John Muskopf and here is my Sunday contribution to the blog.
One of the mottoes of the United Church of Christ is, "God Is Still Speaking. Steve and I decided to take a road trip to San Diego instead of flying there with the rest of the group. We made the trip of 2,550 miles in five days in a pickup truck instead of 8-10 hours in the air. Spending several days on the road gives you time to see and reflect on more things than can occur in an airplane full of people.
There were a couple of events that may fall into the category of "God Is Still Speaking." We were getting gas in Missouri and I was waiting in line to pay for a cup of coffee. The cashier was having problems with a transaction in front of me, voiding it out and re-entering it a couple of times. Finally, when I stepped up to pay with a couple of dollar bills in my hand she said, "Thanks for your patience. Enjoy your coffee and have a nice day." When I tried to hand her the money she leaned forward and said, "Enjoy your coffee and have a nice day." I did, and did.
It was in Oklahoma the next day when I was in line for coffee again. There was a guy hanging around the cash register line who had a canvas bag on his shoulder, like the kind you would carry a lot of clothing in. He asked me if I was a truck driver and I assumed he was looking for a ride. I told him I was just a traveler heading west. He went up to the cashier and said I think I have a free drink on my card, so I'll get his coffee. She shrugged her shoulders and said, "If you want to." He gave her a card and said, I got your coffee. Hmm. Two free coffees in two days.
The next night we were in Gila Bend, Arizona. It's on a portion of old Rt. 66, which seemed to be pretty run down. Steve and I were getting weary of road food, so we talked to the waitress about getting a smaller portion of their 4-piece fish and chips. She said we could get a child's portion with two pieces of fish. She said she didn't mind giving a kids meal to adults. I had noticed a bowl of corn kernels going by on the way to someone else and found that to be the vegetable of the day. We placed our orders and she asked whether we wanted french fries, baked potato, or saloon fries. I first said baked potato but then said on second thought, "Could I make that corn instead of baked potato." She nodded. When the meal came out, along with two pieces of fish that turned out to be fantastic, there was corn and a baked potato. I said "Wait a minute, I didn't mean to order both potato and corn." She said, "I know, I just wanted to give it to you."
Ok. I'm starting to think god is trying to tell me something. The next night. We saw one of the most beautiful sunsets you'd ever want to see. Steve commented, "If you see a sunset like this and don't believe there's a god, there's something wrong with you."
The question is, what's the message. It's good to go on a road trip? It's good to do mission work? If you take time to watch and listen, you'll see god acting and speaking? I wish I was a better translator. Maybe in time I'll understand. In the meantime, I hope to enjoy this wonderful trip, working with wonderful people representing lives being lived on both sides of the border. I'll keep listening. Are you listening?
John
One of the mottoes of the United Church of Christ is, "God Is Still Speaking. Steve and I decided to take a road trip to San Diego instead of flying there with the rest of the group. We made the trip of 2,550 miles in five days in a pickup truck instead of 8-10 hours in the air. Spending several days on the road gives you time to see and reflect on more things than can occur in an airplane full of people.
There were a couple of events that may fall into the category of "God Is Still Speaking." We were getting gas in Missouri and I was waiting in line to pay for a cup of coffee. The cashier was having problems with a transaction in front of me, voiding it out and re-entering it a couple of times. Finally, when I stepped up to pay with a couple of dollar bills in my hand she said, "Thanks for your patience. Enjoy your coffee and have a nice day." When I tried to hand her the money she leaned forward and said, "Enjoy your coffee and have a nice day." I did, and did.
It was in Oklahoma the next day when I was in line for coffee again. There was a guy hanging around the cash register line who had a canvas bag on his shoulder, like the kind you would carry a lot of clothing in. He asked me if I was a truck driver and I assumed he was looking for a ride. I told him I was just a traveler heading west. He went up to the cashier and said I think I have a free drink on my card, so I'll get his coffee. She shrugged her shoulders and said, "If you want to." He gave her a card and said, I got your coffee. Hmm. Two free coffees in two days.
The next night we were in Gila Bend, Arizona. It's on a portion of old Rt. 66, which seemed to be pretty run down. Steve and I were getting weary of road food, so we talked to the waitress about getting a smaller portion of their 4-piece fish and chips. She said we could get a child's portion with two pieces of fish. She said she didn't mind giving a kids meal to adults. I had noticed a bowl of corn kernels going by on the way to someone else and found that to be the vegetable of the day. We placed our orders and she asked whether we wanted french fries, baked potato, or saloon fries. I first said baked potato but then said on second thought, "Could I make that corn instead of baked potato." She nodded. When the meal came out, along with two pieces of fish that turned out to be fantastic, there was corn and a baked potato. I said "Wait a minute, I didn't mean to order both potato and corn." She said, "I know, I just wanted to give it to you."
Ok. I'm starting to think god is trying to tell me something. The next night. We saw one of the most beautiful sunsets you'd ever want to see. Steve commented, "If you see a sunset like this and don't believe there's a god, there's something wrong with you."
The question is, what's the message. It's good to go on a road trip? It's good to do mission work? If you take time to watch and listen, you'll see god acting and speaking? I wish I was a better translator. Maybe in time I'll understand. In the meantime, I hope to enjoy this wonderful trip, working with wonderful people representing lives being lived on both sides of the border. I'll keep listening. Are you listening?
John
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Greetings from Tijuana
This is Phil Starr posting - this will be brief tonight as we just got back from Rosarito where we shopped for blankets and ate dinner at El Nido's.
We ended up having two pretty good flights. The Chicago to San Diego was pretty bumpy for the first hour as the pilot tried to get around a storm that was headed to Ohio. Steve and John were waiting in San Diego when we got there.
We loaded up the vans and had lunch at Inn and Out Burger south of San Diego.
We crossed over the border and my van was stopped and had to be scanned - it was a huge movable scanner that scanned three vehicles at one time.
We got to the Posada a little after 3. A part of our group did some grocery shopping then we headed to Rosarito. Here are two pics of the Posada and one of the sunset.
We ended up having two pretty good flights. The Chicago to San Diego was pretty bumpy for the first hour as the pilot tried to get around a storm that was headed to Ohio. Steve and John were waiting in San Diego when we got there.
We loaded up the vans and had lunch at Inn and Out Burger south of San Diego.
We crossed over the border and my van was stopped and had to be scanned - it was a huge movable scanner that scanned three vehicles at one time.
We got to the Posada a little after 3. A part of our group did some grocery shopping then we headed to Rosarito. Here are two pics of the Posada and one of the sunset.
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