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Dear Friends, Family, and Supporters,

As you well know, I had the opportunity to travel to Mexico this summer and serve for approximately two months. Having had time to reflect and *ahem* procrastinate *ahem*, I thought it was the right occasion to share my thoughts about this experience.


To recap, I was in Mexico for a total of seven weeks. The first week, I partook in the Migrant Trail Walk 2006. This was a 100+ mile walk across the Sonoran desert in solidarity with Migrant desert crossing deaths. If you would like, you can view pictures from this walk at: www.synapticstudio.com/v/Series/Events/MigrantTrail .

The following six weeks, I was working with an organization called BorderLinks. This organization, as you might already be aware, strives to promote cultural understanding and education on migrant issues. I was a participant in what hopefully is a long tradition of Hastings College service on the Border through BorderLinks. Before I stuff your eyes full of any more information, I should tell you the 4 w's and an h of my experience.

the 4 w's and an h of my experience...

The WHERE.  As you know, I was in Mexico. But more specifically, I was living in Nogales, Senora in a Colonia (akin to a suburb) called Colonia Bella Vista with a host family. When I went on a formal educational tour of Nogales (with BorderLinks in January), they taught me a lot about the city and its history. First, I learned Nogales is right on the Border. In fact, Nogales, Senora, and Nogales, Arizona are historically one city. According to BorderLinks, this interesting arrangement allows one to see how harshly the third world and the first world meet. Additionally, I learned that this city has experienced enormous population growth (current population is about 350,000 people). Thus as my trip leader mentioned, this city offers a unique glimpse into emerging migratory trends of Mexico and Latin America. Mexicans are moving to where there is work. And at this border there seems to plenty of manufacturing jobs at local maquillas (plants).

The WHO.  Well, there were three of us serving in Nogales: Steven Neal, David Jergensen, and me; the three amigos, as it were.  In addition to us, there was the entire BorderLinks staff on the Mexican side, and support from Hastings College and BorderLinks on the United States side.

... including the Anthem of Amistad, songs of peace and understanding, and games that promoted caring for the community and the earth.

The WHAT. We had three major responsibilities in Mexico. The first was daily attendance at a Spanish class taught by our BorderLinks boss, Jeannette. The second was preparing for and staffing a two weeklong children's summer camp. This camp was truly innovative. It was a bi-National camp staffed by Steven, David, and me and approximately eight people from BorderLinks (on the Mexican side). In the camp, we planned and executed a truly global operation. The activities of the camp were both Mexican and American. These activities included the Anthem of Amistad (Friendship), songs of peace and understanding, and games that promoted caring for the community and the earth. The third responsibility was serving and preparing food in the local cafeteria for the children.

'With a lot of help from my friends....'

The HOW. While I could answer the how question like this: with my hands this response would be inadequate. There was financial backing from Hastings College, and Dundee Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition to this, there was organizational support from Hastings College and BorderLinks (on both sides). Finally, there was emotional support from my family. I could not have experienced what I experienced without all of these people working with me.

The WHY. Why!?! What do you mean the why?!? I was there to save the world, of course! But seriously, all immodesty aside, I chose to go to Mexico for specific reasons. There were the obvious reasons of wanting to travel, live abroad, and learn a bit of Spanish. However, I could have done all of that later in my life, through another venue. Rather, to fully address and respond to this question, I need to answer another question, which is: what did I hope to accomplish on the border?

Unfortunately, sometimes the most successful and meaningful operations begin with selfishness. And in my case, this is true as well. One of the primary objectives I had while in Mexico was to get a better understanding of how I fit into this non-profit world of social justice. I wanted to discover where my next steps were going to be after college and through the duration of my senior year in college. To this end, I believe that I accomplished a lot. I have a sense that social justice work will have to remain an integral part of who I am. However, I quickly discovered that if I am going to make social justice work a life's work, I am going to make a living off of it. This could mean more education and more tools for creating change.

Another thing that I hoped to accomplish was to understand how poverty affects people and what life would be like living in a poor situation. In this regard, I was overwhelmed. I came to Mexico with a heavy heart. At the time, I still did not know what to do with a fundamental question: Why does the country you are born into make you either able or unable to compete in the global world and provide a vibrant and healthy life for you and your family Ultimately, I was struggling, and continue to struggle with Mexico's (material) poverty and my (material) un-poverty. The first week involved me feeling sorry and upset about the situation of poverty that the people are subjected to. However, all of this changed when I was able to enter into the life and vibrancy of my host family. Suddenly, it was not a question of poverty; rather it was a question of smiles and laughter across cultural and linguistic lines. I soon came to understand that while poverty is immoral and against the Kingdom of God, the poor survive and thrive because of their hope in shared humanity and justice will one day change the landscape of oppression. So, I DID come to understand intimately how poverty affects people - however it was mostly a positive effect.