Jan 29-30 Ending my tour here

Hard day yesterday! 2 buses, last one of especially sick kids! Low number of volunteers. But [they are] so thankful to be here! Full house tonight...

Here’s what the place looked like as we closed last night at 10 pm. Bags are labeled with first name, # of folks and destination... They contain water, snacks, sandwiches, and little candy, and if we have them a nice warm throw... Some folks have a 2-3 day bus ride.... they are so excited.... Some folks go by avion... so no water or throw and less food... all donations.... including the bags! 

23 bags packed for morning send off... 

A group of religious sisters drove down from the Midwest and they have been invaluable. They speak Spanish, are willing to work for nothing, and have a van which we are using to transport people to the airport in the bus stations. Many volunteers who live in El Paso often are called and drive folks to the bus station or the airport. Again feeling so blessed to be surrounded by such caring generous people.

Starting to decide what will fit into backpack and plan to leave the rest here... mostly clothing and a pair of sneakers for housekeeper...

Reentry will be difficult... no news, no trump talk for 3 weeks! No tv... just focused on what I can do here... and now!

My flight leaves tomorrow! Feeling blessed again today... Sending sunshine from El Paso. Please stay safe and warm as the wintery weather hits.

Feeling...

Feeling this, so many times a day!

Jan 27: Shoelaces and More!

Dollar store special on shoelaces...bought 80! 

Some ICE folks but not all ..take folks shoelaces away... They see women and kids as threats... and men and boys as high security risks... Not one of the hundreds we have housed here while they are waiting for bus or plane tickets bought by their families has been anything but gracious and kind ... They want to help us in any way they can... sweeping, carrying cases of water, moving tables and chairs, garbage bags... etc. Ask one and three come running... they are so thankful to be here where it is safe! 

Yesterday a woman arrived with one plastic jelly shoe... They took other because it was torn... 2 kids with no shoes! I went to Dollar General and bought her a pair but when I got back she was gone... ride to bus station with one shoe! It’s not an easy road but they are still joyful!!

Also got some warm hats and lots of socks, with about 80 shoelaces! as we were totally out.  Your donations at work! Gracias! 

Kids and punchie balls... cautious on balloons with so many little ones in this group.... perhaps today’s bus load will be older and I can give them out! 

Yes today’s busload was lots of ninos and ninas and only 4 of us to care for needs of 53 additional folks...  Not many! Only 2 Spanish speakers to do intake, room assignments, clothes, set out meal, clean up, room delivery.. meds etc ... we will all sleep good tonight! 

2 families that went out to bus station missed bus. Both do miss info in translating Spanish and recording either on our end or the families when they call back here to give long confirmation number or date... adding another day to trip of weeks of getting this far....

Broke out the balloons as families waited patiently for intake... kids were laughing and slowly parents started chatting and smiles spread across their faces... I rubbed balloon on my hair to show static electricity and held balloon to wall... they laughed and tried it... didn’t work but after they are clean and hair washed we can try again! Laughter is a universal language! 

Hope you can spread some joy today with the cold you're snuggled into! 

Jan 26, a Precious Memory

With a bus packed with about 60 folks, we started our day... but this stands out as a precious memory! 

One shoe .... 

two shoes....

I was in the “ropa de mujer cuarto” when a small nina came in with papa..She picked up a cute little shoe and said "zapato"... I said "uno zapato," and she repeated, then I said “one shoe.” And she said it clear as could be... with a big smile and repeated “one shoe” then we went on to holding two shoes... and saying that...

Joy of learning so young... 

Every time she saw me she would say "one shoe!" .just as clear as a bell! Cute as a button, this precious little 2 yr old... brown skin with oriental flair in eyes, a tiny nina with a tough grip... Her dad would laugh and then try saying one shoe, two shoes.... and had difficulty, just like I do with I try to say their multi-syllable names!  But these little ones are so quick to pick up things... One hopes it will be good what they find in our part of the world... Their worlds are so different--simpler in so many ways, but remember all here at Mesa Inn seek asylum! So hope they get thru to their families sponsoring them and their court dates before things get so laden with red tape that they have to be deported back to the violence they fled...

I choose hope with one shoe, two shoes... 

May you find hope today too!

Jan 24 or 25 as they are all sliding together...

Marjorie left me her deck of cards! She had the kids and even adults enthralled with her game of memory... so I keep the cards in my back pocket and kids can borrow if they bring them back to me... but I tell them “no dinero” ( no $ ) and they laugh as we shake in agreement... An hour or so later... they return  with the cards! And we shake again.

It’s hard to keep toys and parts together... so we kind of monitor puzzles, paper (few at a time and we post pictures on the wall) ...

Two mujeres today, both 8 months pregnant! One with a child, other with 2 ninos.. so I placed them in rooms close to each other and introduced them... one has a three-day bus ride ahead of her! Both new bebe will be American citizens with thankful moms that they are safe!

Party time after work (10:15 pm) with fellow volunteers... Phyllis treated with a tiny bottle of wine from the dollar store... celebrating our time here and meeting each other. 

Party time after our shift... celebrating that our paths crossed... complete with wine and crackers and cheese ( combined ) Thanks to Sr. Phyllis! Nataski here for one month volunteer gig, Sara Beth for one week And Sr Phyllis for 2 weeks .. so any amount of time offered seems to be welcomed! 

Jan 23? Another 12-hour day

Another 12 hr day... 2 bus loads ... Omar and his team from Borderland Rainbow Center brought lunch again--  deliciously flavored chicken, rice and beans... feeding all folks left here (about 35), and he left food for us hoping the bus would come... I had just moved chicken to our only fridge when border patrol brought a bus load of 36... so we decided let’s eat first before we start the processing-- room assignments, meds, hygiene kits, and clothing...

We were still dishing up plates when another border patrol officer appears with another load of folks... so we did a real "loaves and fishes" meal and stretched things... Omar would have been thrilled! He planned for 75, but we stretched it to over 100!  Rooms, clothing distribution, marking and packing bags for bus and air folks leaving tomorrow...

Working with Sara Beth in the clothing room as bags and boxes were dropped off by Mary! Just what we needed-- socks and smaller sizes of pants! Sara Beth is such a gentle spirit with immigration work in real life... She will be leaving tomorrow after a week. Marjorie's last day is tomorrow too, which will end her 2 week volunteer stint! An awesome traveling buddy... but we have more adventures planned possibly next winter, trying a border experience via Jewish eyes in San Diego! I must have 20 items noted to check out, as Marjorie expanded my thoughts in so many areas!! I will miss her joyful spirit!

Who will arrive to help our neighbors when more buses full of folks appear? Interested??? Google Annunciation House and click volunteer... Think about it! An amazing part of America, as I see it now! 

More Photos from NM Road Trip

City of Rocks is a New Mexico State Park we stopped at. There are some photos of it in the previous road trip post.


 

More photos follow...

Where Migrants are from

Where do our guests at Mesa Inn come from you might ask yourselves? Guatemala, Honduras, and few from El Salvador.... all seeking asylum...

Check this article out!

Court Backlog May Prove Bigger Barrier for Migrants Than Any Wall - The New York Times

Here's a refresher (El Paso is the red pin):

2 days to rest and renew!

[January 22-23, I think]

These are from a road trip we did with my 2 days off! Marjorie pulled me away realizing I needed a break! What a gift from her! 

We went to New Mexico, which is nearby. Beautiful country! Beautiful fun places to explore...

 

Lots more photos below. (You can click on the photos to enlarge them.)

Jan 21 Morning Shift

Worked a morning shift 7-2 because Marjorie and I are hitting the road... I usually have worked 9 or 9:30 in am til 9 at night... Breakfast was setting out cereal, juice, oranges and milk... pretty easy. Our other 2 meals a day are all done by volunteers from churches, synagogue, families, and restaurants... most preparing for 100-125 folks... Most groups do once a week, i.e. every Thursday at noon... and have been doing it for years, but some are new...

We have had crackers and peanut butter donated so I thought let’s try this... and have some fun... I asked a little guy who was watching me if he could help? In my still weak Spanish, I asked if he wanted to help and over he came... look what we created! What fun and he served the plate to folks sitting around and volunteers... As the creations disappeared his smile got bigger and bigger... we created ones with skittles, m and m’s, Swedish fish, etc. (all donations).

Checked rooms with Phyllis as we prepared for next group of 60 coming soon... trying out our new “form”... As Marjorie and I pulled out on our adventure a bus pulled in... I didn't realize how much I needed the break... ahh

Open road alone the border with just a fence but border patrol stationed all over along the route...  Open skies... tumbleweed drifting along, but people feeling trapped... wishing to be free...

Beautiful blue skies above!!! The next 2 days will unfold with Marjorie's love of planning and organizing...  ahhh a much appreciated adventure! 

Lots of help managing tasks

Getting our little hygiene packs ready, lower right, which contain soap, tissues, comb, 2 toothbrushes, toothpaste, a couple of q-tips, deodorant, and a razor if they wish... 

I set up a table with items and number needed, and we all packed 100 bags in no time with moms, dads, and kids loving to be helping!  

Our peanut butter and cracker creations with candies on top! The cutest little guy helped me and served 4 trays!! Crackers and peanut butter are new foods to our guests!

Jan 20... A good day able to walk and skip!

Ubered to Cathedral with Sr Phyllis... for a beautiful mass with the “servant song,” perfect for our work here... Then walked almost 3 miles home uphill...  What were we thinking ubering down and walking up! 

Bus arrived with 53 folks and we carried out our usual jobs-- greeting, serving food to these beautiful cold and hungry brothers and sisters... 

Children arrive so quiet and withdrawn  but leave in a day or two with so much hope... Thinking of the little girl who asked for a jacket and left with a beautiful smile and a "gracias," skipping down the hall wearing a warm coat... How special is that!

What joy to skip after spending days in a cage ...

Jan 19: Your snow and my sunny skies!

As most of you are starting to get lots of snow the skies are sunny here!  Wish I could send you some. Please be safe!!

I was thinking that I hadn’t heard the helicopter sounds this morning like I usually do, but then when I stopped to think about it they were there! I've just gotten used to it... so sad...

We had heard 100 were coming so we kind of geared up but still nothing and then they came in small groups, about 35 each, so that was very workable...

We just got the first settled in, when the next group of about 40 appeared.  We had time for hopscotch and body drawings, and even the parents joined in. Sr Phyllis was so cute hopscotching, I should’ve grabbed a picture. One amazing woman!

While I was checking rooms before the folks came, I came across a little lady who is living at the motel. There is a group of people that live here in a different section than we are in.  She told me that the man was dying; they called the ambulance so he could die at the hospital. She asked me if he didn’t believe in God if that meant he would be earthbound. I shared with her our loving God and we said a prayer for them-- that he will be leaving to meet a loving God, and one for her as she was his friend. With tears in her eyes she thanked me. All because I took a little detour from my usual path... interesting.

We have a five-year-old Down syndrome little girl from Guatemala. She asked me for crayons, and I went in and found her some crayons. She wanted to draw. Later in the evening after she’s left and gone to her room with her mom and brother, I receive pictures (to be given to the lady that cut up the oranges). That was me! 

Sister Phyllis received a bracelet of string from a gentle man... it’s so amazing how these small little gestures from people who have literally nothing yet they still are giving. Gifts from the heart that touch the soul...

Please enjoy the snow for me ! I am sending sunshine and blue skies! 

Keeping Things Real!

Jan 18... I typed in July; must be the blue skies and sunshine!

Started out with breakfast at a local restaurant with Sister Phyllis. Delicious beans and cheese for breakfast and pancakes! 

Good to get away but reminds of what we have right here still.

Then I took my rolling backpack full of dirty clothes to the laundromat... One uses a credit card type card at the laundromat and it varies in cost for not only the size of the washer and dryer but also if one uses hot, warm or cold water, the price varies. Clever!

68 people arrived while I was gone... so the process begins again. Looks like now with my training I’ll be in charge of the room arrangements. I am keeping in mind that there is one family in each bed and I’m trying to set up the families so that if it’s, say, a mom and a three-year-old son, then maybe another mother and a younger boy could share the room, maybe to build some friendships or just support each other. Single room so I will hold for larger families or sick children or parents.

Text came-- 100 coming mañana... Worked til late getting room arrangements and supplies ready in case they arrive before these 68 leave!!! Sr Phyllis got things rolling, as we are out of so much stuff... Success-- small bars of soap arrived, with some hats and mittens... thanks to Mary Bull. 

Restful time, halls are quiet...

Happy birthday Kris.... the real 39! Hugs!

Hope those of you in winter's weather are snug and warm... Thanks to Bryan and Trisha for watching out for Ralphie boy... hugs!

Imagine having a coat on here in 55 degree weather because you are not used to it being so cold. Then you board a bus or a plane and take off for New Hampshire or New York City or Boston or South Dakota and you experience winter! 

That’s a Spanish translation I’m still working on!

January 18: Everyday Life and Special Occasion

Hand washed clothes out on fence and bushes to dry.... Then when time to get to bus station, we had to wrap up wet clothes and put in bag... One little boy started to cry as mama said something like... "hurry we must go"... Such confusion for them! Youth are more resilient than adults, thank God...






Marjorie found out a father and son had a birthday yesterday and bought this beautiful cake and candles... I called Freddy Sr and Freddy Jr (10) up and presented to light candles... We sang happy birthday in Spanish and clapped... they made a wish and blew out unlit candles... Everyone clapped and we served about 96 people! What a birthday party to remember, thanks to Marjorie!

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

--Maya Angelou

Counterpoint

Out for a walk... puts things in perspective doesn’t it....( homeless in America too)

January 17: One Woman's Story

We have 27 people leaving by bus this morning and 13 by air this afternoon... each with a bag of sandwiches and snacks (also water and throw if they take a bus for several days). We had a group of 48 come in, and I sat at a table with a sister who speaks fluent Spanish. 

We found out that the woman came with two beautiful children ages 3 and 5. She made five dollars a day in Guatemala while her husband works in the US and Fort Myers in a motel. She hopes to get a job there as a housekeeper. But the real reason they’re coming is to get the kids into American schools! 

Teachers, you are valued all over the world! 

So as we talked to her we found out that she used a smuggler to get her from Guatemala to the border, and then she came across asking for asylum for herself and her children... For $4000 American $$, the smuggler got the three of them up to the border from Guatemala... and then they had to cross by themselves... Consider that she makes five dollars a day, and she was not able to care for the 3 of them. Her husband sent money for the smuggler... 

How desperate they are to get to America where they could work and support themselves with enough $ to eat and sleep in safe place! ... How blessed I am as I fall asleep... How about you my friend? 

Imagine enough food to feed all the children in Central America... What would it take?

With Sister Phyllis, Jan 17th

Sr Phyllis and I working to organize clothing!

Photos for January 17

This is posted at our motel's desk! Yikes!!

Some of the much needed supplies purchased for kids coming in! Thanks for your donations!!!

January 16: Challenges and Gratitude

Patty and Denny left early this morning... such wonderful loving souls ... back to the real world, leaving our beautiful America created via  Annunciation House.

Marjorie and I left to locate children’s clothing, small women’s underwear, and warm clothes for kids. Thanks for your donations-- look what it brought us... with some of the money. The kids' eyes will light up; so sorry we can’t take pictures of that!

Jan 15: Got out to explore!

Another beautiful sunny day and things were a little slow. Heard we will have a group of about 45 people coming in at sometime. Marjorie has a car and she asked if I wanted to go on the mission trail with her. 

 Since I’ve been working all shifts... I decided to take a break and only work one shift, so Marjorie and I went off to do the mission trail. Three missions, beautiful all against the blue sky. 

What a gentle morning!

Jan 14 

How can one ask for more... food, clothes, safety, and kids to play with... laughter and joy has no barrier of language... jumping over yarn placed on floor in a circle, then we put yarn in a straight line.... more jumping from one end to the other... much laughter at this old lady jumping... if they only knew I had 2 fake knees!!! The little boy who had a toy gun who was shooting folks... esp me! (yes of course Kris and Trisha I made it disappear! Trash) You can’t be playing with guns here esp if you are of color!!! I couldn’t translate so I just made it disappear...  

Day 3: Gratitude

Day ? Jan 12....this quote says it all....

Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others.
-- Barbara Bush

What a day ... kids arriving with no shoes-- 2 kids 4 and 5 but looking so much smaller... Brittany’s husband (she came down to volunteer before deployment) went to store to bring back a variety of sizes of shoes (thanks to Bob and Rita for donation), and you should have seen the look on their faces as they tried them on with new socks...

Day 2: Here They Come!

“they are coming ... told 500 today with 150 at our site”

I guess it’s unusual to get notified by ICE when and how many will be coming. We had decided to go out to breakfast because breakfast here, organized by the nuns (volunteers from Midwest), is cold cereal and warm milk; figured out the warm milk is because in Mexico they have to boil water (it's contaminated) to mix the powdered milk, so here when they add the powdered milk they go to the microwave and heat the milk and the water and then put the cold cereal in so we thought this would be congested since there’s about 125 people trying to heat milk in one microwave!

First Day in El Paso

Day 1... 5 o’clock wake up call for the shuttle to the airport. Got dressed, hugged Ralph goodbye and went down to have breakfast. One couple was waiting for the shuttle who also happen to be from Penn Yan! She tracked me down later at the airport when I was sitting by the window watching the snow and 18° weather and said she wanted to help... She handed me $100 at 6 AM in the Rochester airport with no one around and that’s how things start.

2 days to go...

 and Sally is giving me my last details about blogging... oh boy... and Spanish!

Ralphie  heard that Trump will be heading to the border on Thursday too! Immigration at its peak! Here's hoping it's NOT El Paso!

Also got an email last night that the flow of immigrants has slowed to a hundred a day for last two days so the place I was staying is being closed for a week and I will be working and staying in a different house...hours the same 2-10 PM when the house closes. So time will tell.