our trip to El paso
by Carla Garcia, Kids Ministry Director
Recently, Veronica, Patrique, and I were able to join the Westside Family Church on a trip to El Paso. It was a space to meet organizations in the Juarez/EP area that are aiding those migrating and looking for asylum. We got to see a first hand experience at what the border situation is like and compare it to how that is showcased in the media. We met families, who although have had an arduous journey are hopeful for what the future has in store. Kids who were eager to chat and play and adults who taught us tai-chi. The trip was also packed with informational and educational workshops like immigration law 101 (can’t believe my friend Veronica enjoys that stuff) and immigration theology. But the best part was the fellowship with everyone on that trip - from walks after dinner to find dessert to debriefing our experiences, it was all wonderful! This was also a very personal and emotional experience for me. My family and I immigrated through Juarez/EP’s port of entry 23 years ago. Now with DACA, I’m able to work in the United States but am not allowed to go back to Mexico. I had this feeling of being so close yet so far. It inspired many poems but here’s one that encapsulates exactly what I felt.
Las Aves
Hoy vuelvo a sentir ese sentimiento sin igual
Aquel que me hace sentir supernatural
Pero no de una manera genial o poderosa
Al contrario bajo la mirada y me quedo silenciosa
Porque aún siento el corazón partido
Como un pájaro que se ha quedado sin nido
Y es que no soy ni de aquí ni de allá
Y lo único que me detiene es una muralla
Aunque por los huecos aún puedo ver
Mi México lindo y su bello atardecer
Ojalá un día mi alas vuelvan a sentir tus vientos
Y en tu ríos gocen mis pies sedientos
Pero por ahora esperaré con la mirada al cielo
Hasta que en realidad se convierta mi gran anhelo
De ser como las aves que migran en la nubes
Que como les plazca, bajan y suben
Se posan en pinos y nopales por igual
Pero yo por ahora sigo mi vida habitual
De ser ni de allá y ni de aquí
Pero deseando ser colibrí
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