Home at Last!

Wanted to make one final post to let everyone know that I made it home safely. We finally arrived in Lexington around 11 last night. After a long day of travel, I am glad to be back to my own bed!

Once again, thanks to everyone for following along with me and offering so much support!

Almost Over

Tomorrow morning I begin my journey back to Kentucky. We are leaving the hotel at 430 am to be at the San Diego airport for one girls 630 flight. I don't leave until 9, but crossing the border into the States is quite the hassle, and it's worse on the weekends. My first flight takes me from San Diego to Detroit, then I have about 3 hours until I head from there to arrive in Louisville around 830 pm.

I am really really ready to see everyone back home, and share my stories with them. However at the same time, it will difficult to leave everyone here. Over the past 2 weeks I have been able to build some really great relationships, even though we all come from completely different backgrounds. We have all gone through some tough times together, and had opportunities to learn lots and lots from one another. I would not have given any minute of this journey up, and would do it again in a heartbeat. Yes, there were a few times when I had my doubts, but I was able to learn much about myself and grow from it. I will really miss everyone of the people I have met, and want to thank them for helping me open my mind a bit more!

I also want to use this space to give one more huge thanks to every person who either donated money to me for this, or supported me in any way. It's no secret that I would have never left Kentucky if not for all the amazing support I received. I won't name any names, because I know I'll forget someone, but staff and members at the Y, friends and family I will never be able to thank you all enough! I will always consider myself lucky to have this opportunity, and will never take it for granted. I hope I will be able to pay everyone of you back one day! I love you all, and have a request for you all...... Please pray all you can for the entire US-Mexican border area. The people here have witnessed too many heartaches than any person should. I realize that it may seem difficult to do much from so far away, but prayer is very powerful! If anyone would like to make any further donations for the people here, there is much that is needed, and just contact me about it.

Thanks again for all the wonderful support, and for following along on my journey!

The 2nd Conference Begins

Today we began the second part of conferences in Tijuana. It wasn't too busy of a day for us, but there was much to learn. In the morning, we each discussed our own personal experiences at the Casas and how we felt about our time there. Then, we broke into groups based on our Casa location and designed presentations about what we learned over the past week. It was great to hear everyones perspectives on the cities they visited, and how they were attempting to build a better life for the citizens there. I heard way too many stories of children in situations that we would never dream of in the States, and frankly, it was hard to swallow. However, everyone of us found some common ground on one good thing.... The people who are working for the YMCA Casa de Menores Migrantes are angels! Each of us had wonderful stories and built great relationships with these workers/volunteers, and sadly, it seems that they are 'diamonds in the rough' so to speak. From them, I think we all not only learned a bit about immigration, but also life itself.

Tomorrow, is our last day here. We are going to discuss our time here overall, and do some work planning for next years crew. I'll fill you in on how it goes!

Back in Tijuana

Today has been a very calm day. After breakfast in the Casa in Juarez, we took a few minutes to take some pictures with the group and say our goodbyes. Then, we headed to the Juarez airport for a 2 hour flight back to Tijuana. We arrived here just in time for lunch. We had lots of time to kill because some of our group didn´t arrive until 5:30. We used this time to do a little souvenier shopping. Now its 8:00, and we are about to have dinner and relax for the rest of the day. Tomorrow we will be back at it, presenting and discussing our weeks in each of our cities (Tijuana, Juarez, and Piedras Negras).

Only 2 more full days in Mexico, then back to the States.

Last Day in Juarez

Today was my last full day in Juarez, I leave for Tijuana tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. After somewhat of a rough start here, it will be difficult to leave the amazing people I have worked with and met here in Juarez. We see all the evils of this city on the news, but in my week here, I have only seen good. The citizens of Juarez are really working hard to make it a safe place and have lots of hope regardless of what is seen from the outside. I will definitely be praying for peace here and all along the US-Mexican border and hope that you do as well.

Tomorrow our group will be reconnecting with each other in Tijuana after splitting up to visit the various Casas along the border. I am really looking forward to hearing about everyone elses experiences and see how they relate to my own. I have hope that everyone learned as much and were able to build the relationships I did.

Canada, Eh!

This is a pic of a few of my new friends from Canada representing their favorite organization on the beaches of Tijuana!

Monday

Yesterday, we learned that the 2 boys that were here had to go to another shelter here in town. We were confused at first why they were moving them, when everything here was going great. But after a few attempts, we finally understood that this Casa only takes kids from Friday-Monday and there is another shelter in town that is open during the week. It was hard to see them leave, when they really just wanted to stay with us. But I have to know that it will be a step forward for them, even if they don`t feel that way.

We have spent out time today visiting the place the boys went to, and the site of the new Casa that is being built here in Juarez. Now we are cleaning the house a bit and trying to learn everything we can before we have to leave!