The Music of Esperanza
Hey there!
Hannah here, writing her blog 3 months too late, mom always said, better late than never. Life has been nothing but hectic since we've gotten back from Mexico; work, thanksgiving, one positive COVID case, Christmas, work, a second positive COVID case (UGH). Luckily, life is starting to fall back into its own flow, and we're hoping things will slow down soon. Needless to say, we've been dying for some life on Mexico Time.
We returned to Esperanza in the middle of October, the first group Esperanza had seen since 2020 (and the last they saw in 2020!). It was a smaller trip than normal, but we did managed, between our 3 veterans, to get one new member, Lamin. Throughout the week, it was a joy for us to see someone who had never worked with Esperanza before to be in Tijuana, working side by side, with strangers, in a pandemic (however, without a complaint in the world and always a good dance or smile). We had worked in the town of Salvatierra with our homeowner, Alejandra, and by the end of the week, despite minor language barriers, Lamin had become a second son to Alejandra. John, Steve, and I loved watching him transform, drop barriers, and become comfortable in an organization and city we have grown to love so much.
Returning to Esperanza, never felt forgien, even with masks and extra precautions. It was filled with tons of hugs, hours of talking, and numerous cervezas. Everyone fell back into place, felt "normal" for a week, and refueled for the return to the US, and we couldn't be happier we'd gone.
A tradition we always have as an Esperanza group is to play music person by person around the table at night (this is sometimes accompanied by competitive Uno, and always Tecate). This year's "jam session" lasted many hours, and that brings me to my blog. I wanted to write my blog about two songs that are sentimental tunes for those who have been traveling with Trinity to Mexico for a while, as tribute to the two "old" guys who took the risk to go to Tijuana in October. Here's to you Steve and John.
Music has a way of speaking to individuals when words aren't enough. Earlier today, Steve found out that we will be able to return to Tijuana in March 2022. Immediately, we've started recruiting and planning. However it isn't a daunting task, it is a labor of love surrounding this song here...
Nothing of the last two years has been simple, but we have gotten through it together, and were finally able to get back to where we love the most. Unfortunately, where we love the most doesn't typically receive the best views from others, but those of us who know the truth, we can't help but think, what a wonderful world. How wonderful, we are able to do the work we love, with people who've become a part of our family. How wonderful we have had the opportunity to share with new and returning members the joy and community of Esperanza. How wonderful, we are able to see the sun, blue skies, oceans, and colorful neighborhoods of Tijuana. How wonderful are the people who share their lives across borders without judgment. Tijuana makes it easy for us to see the wonders of the world, and it's the awe and comfort of Esperanza that keeps us coming back. Each time a person attends, the experience puts an imprint on their life, which we hope helps them to see the wonderful bits of life throughout the times they are not so easy to see.
The good news is, although now is hard, we will be returning in March 2022. Which leads me to my next song...
We hope to see you, in the van (not on the blog) March 12-19, 2022. Because... we'll be 'On the road again, we just can't wait to get on the road again.
