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!

My Day Off In Juarez

Wow, this city is so much different than Tijuana! I won't go into too many details on here, but you can feel the tension in the air. We have had a total of 6 kids come through, and 3 have reconnected with their families, which is good.

We have the day off today, so the three of us here with the Mano a Mano program walked into town to use the computers and do some shopping. The weather here is nice in the mornings and then rainy in the evenings. I suppose that is just because of the hurricane in the Gulf.

Other than that, things are somewhat boring around the Casa. We tried to occupy some time with a puzzle yesterday, but just got frustrated. We watch a lot of TV and eat, and that's really it. The kids aren't allowed out of the house because of the dangers of the city. Needless to say, they are bored too.

I hope to get to use the computer at least one more day before heading back to Tijuana on Wednesday, so keep an eye out for another post!

First Day in Juarez

So after a long day of travel yesterday, we have almost finished our first full day in the Casa in Juarez. The house parents don`t speak a word of English and that is making things very difficult, but we are making it work with what little Spanish Bill Wheeler was able to teach me. (Thanks Bill!)

This morning we drove around the town and got to see the border here. Later, we walked around the city with the social worker for the Casa and visited some of the shops there.

After we finished lunch a boy arrived here to stay. It made my day to have someone here who speaks English. We just finished playing a few games of UNO with him and quizzing him about his life, which is very interesting.

It turns out that my internet access may actually be a bit limited than planned. So, I`m just going to have to see when I can get online to write. Hopefully it will be soon!

Headed to a New Place!

So I had a few minutes before I catch my flight to Juarez, and wanted to fill everyone in on what we did last night.

After visiting the Casa in Tijuana, we sat down to watch a movie titled ¨Sin Nombres.¨ This film pushed everyones emotions over the edge for the day. After seeing the very intense scenes about life for people trying to immigrate and the roles of the gangs here in Mexico, all of us here were ready to bust with thoughts. So afterward, we took some much needed time to reflect on what we had seen on such a heavy day and share our thoughts about it. Everyone of us in our group comes from a different background, and it is so interesting to see how these new experiences are making everyone feel so connected.

Anyways, I found out that I should have an internet connection in Juarez, so I will be able to continue blogging! I want to thank everyone for the wonderful support I have recieved thus far. Everyone has been so amazing to me, and I just can´t thank you enough!

First Round of Conferences Almost Complete

The view of the newest fence through a hole in the old one!
Today was a very eye-opening day for me. We began with a tour of the border around Tijuana and learned lots about the history of it. It was very interesting to hear about these sort of things from a Mexican perspective. Afterwards we drove through some parts of town that you would never dream of seeing in Kentucky and then on to some shelters in town. The first shelter was for women and young children only and the second for men only. And these were mainly people who had been deported from the US. Sadly, many had to leave their children behind.

Later, we learned a little more about the Casas that the YMCA has established here for 12-18 year olds, and actually got to visit the one here in Tijuana. Tomorrow is the day we all split up and head to other Casas. Me and two others are flying out to Juarez to stay for a week. I'm not too sure about an internet connection there, so please don't panic if I don't make a post for a week!

We are celebrating 2 birthdays in the group tonight, and are going to enjoy some pizza and cake! So I want to wish a happy birthday to Katelynn and Angelica!

First Full Day Complete!

So, our first day of conference is just about complete. We began the day with a very odd breakfast buffett that consisted of some traditional foods like fruits and pastries. But it also had some things that I just couldn´t muster up the strength to eat for breakfast like chicken legs, and tacos. Never the less, I found enough to eat. The rest of the morning consisted of discussions about immigration and how it has affected each of us personally. It was very interesting to learn of some of the programs that other cities have to help the immigrants mesh into the community. Next, we broke into groups based on our home countries and gave presentations about each place. I have never realized how little I knew about Canada until the girls from there gave their speech... Now I would love to visit sometime! We finished up our day quicker than planned, so we got to go on a field trip to the beaches of Tijuana. It was nice to get outside of the walls of the hotel for a bit, but would have been better if it was warmer than 65 degrees and if we had seen the sun.

Tomorrow, we are going on a tour of the border from the Mexican side, and going to visit some of the shelters around Tijuana. Hopefully I will have some pictures for you to see of our adventures thus far.

Anyways, now it is about time to eat some dinner. The food has been magnificent so far, and I can´t wait to see what the cooks have in store for us tonight!

I'm Here!

I arrived in San Diego this afternoon about noon local time, and then rode with some of the gang into Tijuana. Just finished up a late lunch with everyone. As of right now, there are 5 girls from Canada, 2 from Mexico, 1 from France, and 2 of us Americans. I believe that more people are to arrive tonight, and some may leave in the next few days.

There isn't much in the plans for tonight, so that everyone can rest up from some long journeys for many. I also want to apologize for any spelling errors you may see in the next week or two, the computer I am working on is set for Spanish. I'll try to post again tomorrow, when I know more about the plans for the next few days. Hasta manana!

Only a few more hours!

Just finishing up packing the last couple of things, and trying to make sure I have everything ready to head out. I'm starting to get really excited, and nervous at the same time. Have an early morning ahead of me, so I'm about to head off to get some rest before a long day.

So for now, goodnight Lexington, and tomorrow hello Tijuana!

Going Away Fiesta

Only 4 more days til I head out west!

Had a wonderful 'Fiesta' today thrown by everyone at the High Street Y. Great Mexican food, and even better fellowship. Wanted to thank everyone there for all the kind words, and support they have given me. I couldn't ask for a better group of directors to work with, and today they showed why.

Thanks for everything guys!

Introduction to 'Mano a Mano Sin Fronteras'

I don't leave for Tijauna for another 10 days, but I wanted to give everyone a short rundown of the program I am going to work with in Mexico. 'Mano a Mano sin Fronteras,' or Hand to Hand without Boundaries, is a youth summit set up by the YMCA of Mexico, US and Canada in order to develop the spirit, mind and body of the youth along the US-Mexican border.

While there, I will spend a few days in conferences learning about immigration and some of the problems facing the youth of this area. After soaking in all that I can, I will move into one of four 'Casas' that have been established by the YMCA for youth ages 12-18 who have attempted to cross illegally into the United States and been caught. These homes are available for the children to voluntarily stay until a social worker can locate their family, while keeping them out of drugs or something worse. For the week I will be in the Casa, I will be helping entertain the kids, and doing what I can (on little to no Spanish speaking ability) to assist the social worker.

Needless to say, I am getting very anxious to get down there and learn more about the work I will be doing. If anyone has been to this area recently I would greatly appreciate any advice. I also appreciate all of the support I have gotten thus far, and welcome your thoughts and prayers!