Day 5: Why Mexico, Why Now?

Why Mexico and why now?

Day 5: It's Saturday and finally some moments of rest. I want to take this opportunity to reflect and share, why here and why now did I come to Mexico in the middle of a Corona pandemic.

I think maybe now more than ever it is possible for people to relate to what it might be like to be a refugee. Being shut-in, we in the U.S. are experiencing what it is to be displaced (from our jobs, from our families, from our way of life), our future is not certain and so much is not in our control.

This is not dissimilar for refugees that have been forced to flee for their lives. They too are separated from their way of life and things that are familiar. For many, it has been well over year and they are still in limbo. In future posts I will share what brings them to be refugees, but let’s suffice it to say, we have heard so many stories, we see the pain, and the decision for the vast majority was for survival.

For many of us reading this, with the restrictions due to the Corona virus, we have come together to support one another. We still have food, a safe place to live and certainly an abundance of toilet paper.

But for refugees, their future has become more uncertain in these times. People are pulling back support at a time when Mexico might be flooded with 1,000’s of more refugees that we are hearing are to be released from U.S. detention centers and sent back over the border to Mexico. Additionally, the Mexican government does not offer support to refugees or to facilities that are set-up to help them.

Our children are now out of school, and we see the lengths we have to go through to educate them. For those of us reading this, we have computers and we have resources over the internet. For refugees, their children remain uneducated, but yet are so eager to learn.

There is nothing that can substitute for my presence here. I am learning, I am watching and I am planning in my mind how we can not only build our facility, but also roll out our programs across the entire border.

There is no “zoom” no “skype” and no “facetime” call that can substitute working with Francisco and sitting beside a mom and hearing her story, or observing children’s first-hand struggles with their situation. As many of you have read through my Facebook posts, much has been accomplished on this trip.

Perhaps some are judging me for coming now. It was not an easy decision to leave my family in these times. I also know when I get back, I will quarantine away from all those that I love. This will be the hardest for my extroverted self, but perhaps just what I need to process so many thoughts and how to respond in these days. I wish I had the power of absolute discernment. The best I can do is pray and trust God with what he puts on my heart.

What I do know is regardless of Corona, there is a crisis here in Mexico now. And if I don’t come now, then when? And if not me, then who? And if we can’t raise money to build, then how?

I hope you will consider supporting our efforts, every little bit helps. We need $150,000 more to build our facility, at the same time we are doing our small part to support local shelters out of some of the money we raise, thanks to your generosity. Https://mdcaridad.org/donate1