Day Three - The Children - June 30, 2010
Today was really an amazing day for all of us. We experienced a lot of emotions, some extremely touching and others completely heartbreaking. We started off the day with breakfast at HEPAC and orientation for the “Kids Camp” that we took part in running. At first, we were worried that there wouldn’t be very many kids, but the numbers quickly grew. They were all very well behaved and like almost all children, they were entertained by the smallest and silliest things. Something that was personally heartwarming for me was my connection with a small boy at the camp. As there were so many kids, I’m sad to say that I didn’t learn his name. However, I don’t think I needed to know his name to build a friendship with him. And considering I can’t speak a word of Spanish and he couldn’t speak any English, we were able to use our words to communicate. Luckily, we were able to use the universal language of laughter. He was sitting on a swing that made him look so tiny as his little legs couldn’t reach the ground. Immediately, he put a smile on my face, so I went over to him and used hand gestures to ask if I could push him on the swing. He was hesitant at first but then smiled and nodded. I should tell you that I love kids and there’s not a child anywhere in the world that I won’t get along with. So I began pushing him and as soon as he swung forward he let out the purest, sweetest most innocent giggle I have ever heard. This of course made me laugh and we stayed there laughing and giggling for probably fifteen minutes. Each time he laughed it just made me laugh more. I had so much fun doing the simplest thing and I truly felt God’s presence during those moments.
After our fun few hours at camp we had lunch and the headed to the center for repatriated minors. For those of you who don’t know, this is a place for any minors who have tried to cross the border and were unsuccessful. They are brought back to Mexico and “detained” at this facility until a parent picks them up or gives them permission to leave. This visit really hit close to home for me because I found myself surrounded by a room of kids my age who had experienced things at age 15, 16, and 17 that I will probably never experience in my lifetime. Yet they were smiling and laughing and making jokes as if they had nothing to fear and no question of what tomorrow would bring. As I looked around the room I made eye contact and shared smiles with so many of them and with each smile I received I felt I had known that smile forever. It sounds impossible, but it was as if I had made 30 new friends in only a few minutes and without a word spoken between us. I was mesmerized by their stories and their perseverance to find better lives and greater opportunities. Then, all too soon our time with them was over and I was heartbroken to leave these people I had just met. Part of my heartbreak came from knowing I would never see them again, part of it came from how nice they had been, and part of it came from the guilt of knowing that they were living day by day hoping for freedom while I would be going home very shortly to a nice warm bed and a great family in a land full of opportunity. I teared up behind my sunglasses as we left and wished with all of my heart that I could take them all with me. I pray to God to help me deal with the anger and frustration I gained from this experience.
I shared with my group my confusion of who the real enemy is in this situation. It’s difficult to explain but I so badly wanted to be mad at someone for the unfairness of this whole situation. But who should I be mad at? The border patrol that stopped them? No, they’re just nice people doing their job. The immigrants crossing the border? No, they’re just trying to find a better life. God? No, God is perfect and has a plan for everything and everyone. Throughout this trip it has been a great struggle to me of where to direct my anger and sadness.
Despite this inner turmoil, I have witnessed so much beauty and so much love. This trip has really opened my eyes to how I look at other people and made me thankful for everything God has given me.
I think I speak for everyone when I say we are truly blessed and this trip has shown us all that we have to be thankful for.
We love and miss you all back home and we’ll see you soon.
~ Megan Creasap
Return