Welcoming in Mexico
When we arrived in Mexico, we were warmly welcomed by Mark and Joca, the leaders of Frontera de Cristo. In our welcoming, we were taken to the American side of the border where we were able to see the wall in person. Many discussions about the wall circulate in the United States and are often labeled as something political, but during our time in Mexico Frontera de Cristo did a brilliant job at making it clear that the wall is a human problem that needs attention.
-Nia Boyd
Realities of the Desert
It can cost 10,000 dollars to guide people across the border. It depends on where people want to cross, due to the terrain, ownership of the land, and the power of organized crime, but many have lost their lives trying to cross into the United States irregularly. This is due to dehydration and not knowing the reality that lies ahead in the desert. In 2019, a woman running from violence fell during the crossing of the fence with a harness and was left hanging from the fence and passed away before anyone could help. Many stories like this exist about people who have died in their attempt to find a better life.
-Sarah Moore
CAPSIC
We visited a rehabilitation center and got to know more about drug and alcohol addictions in Agua Prieta. We learned that addiction affects all kinds of people ranging from children to doctors and lawyers. They informed us that a lot of them come in nearly skin and bones when they knock on the door. We were able to talk to some of the people that help the program function and they shared with us that they once struggled with addiction, and they suffered great loss from that addiction. Many lost connections to their children, their wives, and their families. They continued by saying that they help out people who come to CAPSIC because it reminds them of the importance of remaining sober, but also because they can see a lot of themselves within the people who come to the center for help.
Migrant Trail Walk and Vigils
We were blessed with the opportunity to walk the Migrant Trail Walk. This walk was created to honor the immigrants who lost their lives trying to cross the desert. Though we only walked the first day of the 75-mile walk, we were able to grasp the importance of events like the Migrant Trail Walk. Before we started the walk, there was a ceremony where we were cleansed of any negative energy we were carrying and walked in a circle greeting each other by hand. Once we were at the front of the border, each person bearing a cross walked across the border yelling the name that their cross held. These names were the names of people who had died attempting to cross the border. On the cross, it also had where they were from, their date of birth, and what day their remains were found. After they crossed the border, we would all yell “¡Presente!” meaning present. The part of the walk we were able to participate in was only 4.8 miles, but the end of the walk made each mile worth it. As they repeated the same process of yelling the names on the crosses they bore, there was a sense of unity and sadness that could be felt. There was something beautiful about their spirits being able to follow us where their bodies could not.
While in Mexico, we had the opportunity to participate in another vigil. The vigil was similar to the migrant trail walk. The main difference was that we were the ones bearing the crosses this time. And we would each walk along a strip of street, next to the canal where eight immigrants lost their lives. The crosses were structured the same way; each cross had the name of the deceased, their birthday, and the day they were found. If the body wasn’t known, the cross had “Desconocido/a” or Unknown. This vigil was very impactful. It was different being able to bear someone else’s cross to honor their essence. Someone who likely would have lived had deserts not been used as a natural deterrent for irregular immigration.
-Nia Boyd
Heading Home
There is no way to capture all the learning that happened during our experience over the past 3.5 weeks. We laughed, cried, bounced along bumpy roads, walked until our legs hurt, and met so many people who are committed to humanizing every person they encounter. We were told over and over that each person has a story, often one of violence and threat of life which is hard to imagine for many of us.
We witnessed so many people working in education, health care, shelters, community centers and churches who care deeply about those who walk miles through the desert hoping for some relief from the economic, political and real threats of organized crime. There are no easy answers but seeing people of faith embody Christ’s call to welcome the stranger was inspiring and challenging.
In our final days we were part of a cross planting ceremony where we placed a cross to mark the spot where a young man had died crossing the border. He probably died of dehydration after walking many miles in the desert. As we set the cross in place we were reminded that he was someone’s son, maybe a father, a brother – beloved by many with hopes and dreams that were cut short. Seeing his name on a cross cemented in the ground close to where his body was found was a small way to say “We remember you, Alonzo” and your life was important.
-Deanna Durham, Intercultural Program Leader
