Back in the US of A

We are back and enjoying the beach.

I love spoons.

- Sam

Travel Day

We are leaving the posada now, headed north to the border, we will post again when we are on the US side.  We will spend some time relaxing on the beach in SanDiego before we head to the airport.
There are mixed feelings as we leave this place, hoping to return in the future and knowing that we made a small difference in the lives of a few families here in Tijuana. ~Jen

This trip was a life-changing experience. I will never forget the smiles on the families faces as we built them a home. This was a trip that's worth returning next year for.

this trip was a amazing experience and I cannot really think of any other words. I will somehow return next year with hopefully the same people as this year and new trekkers. now we are off to SanDiego

-ANNA

Day 7 - Friday

So today was a little crazy. After breakfast/chores, we had a discussion with Edwardo about the border between US and Mexico. Made me really ashamed how much money Americans are using to "protect" the border when not only is it causing problems such as violence but a lot of deaths. After this discussion, we returned to the worksite for the last time but we went to Rosijo's place and had our cement bucket line party. Today was a little harder because we were pouring the roof which is about 10-15ft so we had about 6-7 people on the roof passing or returning buckets. After the party with the cement, we had a festival with amazing food, dance party to "Waka-Waka" by Shakira, desert with cake were we faced planted two people into the cake(so glad that I kept quiet about my birthday or it would have been three), and then we had our group pictures with the families plus saying goodbyes to the families that we helped and communities.
In a way I'm sad and happy to leave tomorrow. Sad because we don't get to finish building the houses and honestly, I would have love to stay and finish it if I could. Happy because I really miss my family, friends, and of course, Kirkland, WA. I cant wait to come back home to Kirkland, but I think few of my family member are going to make fun of how much red I am. FYI, most of us have lighter hair so please don't have shocks of some sort. In conclusion, Tijuana, Mexico was the best way to spend a summer vacation. Bye and see ya later in less then 24hrs.  
Love Alicja Cholewinska


It is currently 5:15 am. I tossed and turned in bed for the last hour reflecting over the week, excited about how I might share it with my family and friends. The irony of this trip is that as the American government builds bigger fences to keep people away from the border, Mexicans are improving the other side. The Tijuana Beach/Border Park is currently being renovated and is prettier than some San Diego beaches, while the "Friendship Park" on the San Diego side has been abandoned.  This morning I have "Abriendo Puertas" by Gloria Estefan in my head.  Although Cuban-American, the lovely Gloria wrote a song fitting to how I feel about my Mexican experience.  Hopefully, we are opening doors and closing wounds.  After all, esperanza means hope.
-Christine Cabal Culter

Day 6 - Thursday

Another day of hard work complete.  We filled the large half of Marta's home with the dirt we took out of the foundation trenches to create the floor of their new home.  We mixed and poured cement into the second half of the foundation walls.  Bucket lines are now efficient and thoughtless to the group.  Everyone pitching in and doing their part without complaint or hesitation, everyone has stepped up and given more than they thought they could.
After a long day of work we were challenged with the stories of the working conditions in the factories here in Tijuana.  One of the current social workers here at Esperanza was a worker in the factories and told her story and helped answer our questions about current conditions and realities.
Tomorrow we are looking forward to pouring the roof of Roseo's home and celebrating with a fiesta including a pinata for the neighborhood children, and possibly some teens...
The strangest reality for all of us right now is that we wish we could stay.  We wish that we could finish the foundation and floor of Marta's home, but we look forward to being able to visit in the future.
Exhausted but excited for another day of work ~ the Team

Day 5 Pictures

Yep, we got dirty!

Our hard work today built up the foundation and reinforced the larger section with cement.

Day 5 - Wednesday

It's been a long day!

It sure has, same old morning routine has taken over my life, as I begin to get into a groove of waking early and getting ready quickly. This morning we laid the rest of the foundation and put our bucket line skills to good use yet again as the cinder-blocks were passed down the lot. Moving muddy blocks, piles of gravel, and mixing machines warmed us up nicely in the morning, especially considering the sun that joined us in the midmorning.


After lunch, five of us went over to prep the roof, laying cement beams across the ceiling and Styrofoam blocks in between those. The wooden supports between those and the floor are a little iffy, but I am certain that it will all be figured out by the time we are ready to pour. While we did that, the rest of the crew set up and ran a bucket line of cement to pour the base of the foundation in the afternoon heat. Frankly, I think we got the better deal.


This evening, we went to Casa del Migrantes, a transitional home for men recently deported and once again the injustice of what we have been seeing all along struck me. many of these men had been in America for nearly all of their lives, and as such, had become productive, contributing members of society. On the one hand, they are doing jobs that almost no born american would do, but on the other, they are in the country illegally, and there is a clearly laid out punishment for that. The solution is not easy, in fact it may not even exist, but further thought is definitely warranted on this topic. For now I content myself knowing that I am doing a little bit to help, in giving some people a reason to stay.
~J.B.




The difference between me and the people that we have met in Mexico is an accident of birth. I was lucky enough to be born 30 miles north of this area. Although I have been to Tijuana before, I have never really interacted with the people that live here, even though they literally are my neighbors. At Casa del Migrantes, I realized that some of these men could be the gardeners that my family hires on occasion or someone that I may have met in Lynden previously.
-C.C.C.


We were able to start pouring cement in the walls at Marta's house today. After 27 hopper loads we completed our work goal for the day. I ended up looking like a walking cement driveway, as I was totally covered in cement dust from helping feed the cement mixer, then getting squirted with the hose a few times by various people! Though tired and sweaty, everyone was in good spirits after giving their 110% positive attitude and effort today.  


Visiting Casa del Migrantes this evening, a halfway house for men who have been deported to Mexico,  was an eye-opener for me. I continue to ponder the very complex issue of immigration between the U.S. and Mexico. I know there's not an easy solution, but a reasonable solution can be possible if there is enough will to find an answer.  I hope we can remedy this situation. 


Well, gotta rest up to work mix and pour more cement. Maybe I'll give Uriel, one of Marta's sons, another piggy back ride or perhaps play some basketball with Lilly, one of Victor's daughters, a 9 year old. Oh, I just found some more cement on my skin that didn't get scrubbed off during my one minute shower... 8) ~~Ron Sangalang

Day 4 - Adult Reflections

What an amazingly productive day at the work site! At one point during work day we had a bucket line that was removing dirt from up to 5 different sections of the foundation at once! During lunch, an impromptu dance party we had on the dirt road which included neighbor kids was a tremendous and fun community building experience for all.  I am so proud of the teens and the teamwork, passion, humor, and dedication they have shown for the work we are doing, their care for each other, and the families we are working with. Time to rest up for another strenuous and rewarding day of work  Cinder blocks and cement bucket line here we come! 8)~~~ Ron Sangalang

  Hello on day 5 of our trip. It is about 5 AM on Wednesday. No we don't get your kids up this early, but I almost wish that some of them could. The crickets make their noise all night long start just before sunset. About 4:30 they start giving way to the sounds of the roosters, followed by the sound of the dogs barking as their families start to enter into a new day. The mornings are covered in fog which just adds a little mystery to the people and the place the we are in called LaGloria. Soon a few will rise and join me in out walk to the local bakery which opens at 6AM with some amazing pastries and then we are into another day.
  I can not echo enough what Ron has said above. All of you parents and siblings who have allowed us to share a week with your children should be amazingly proud of very proud. Not just for their work, but for the compassion they are continually showing for each other and the people of Mexico.
  To Mike Bowman and family. We are missing you on our work sites and in our Tijuana family. Know that you and your family are in our prayers and thoughts.
  And to all,  we feel your prayers and know that the work that we are doing could not be accomplished without them. Please to continue praying for us and the the work that we are doing.
  Lastly to my wife Allyse, I thank you again for allowing me to leave you for another week. Know that you are the most important part of my life and I am sure that my experiences here will make me a better person and husband.
  God Bless, Sal
 
I am amazed at how quickly time goes when you are busy.  We have been going going going.  At this point the group is used to the bathroom routines, chores, and working hard.  There is plenty of fun and joy to accompany the hard work.  It took little time for us to feel at home here.  
I am continually inspired by the way that these teens work together and are willing to do what ever is asked.  They have all worked hard at the work site moving buckets and digging and worked hard to process many of the injustices and differences that they are faced with when they look at daily life here in Tijuana.  
Yesterday I was struck by the difference between the US/Canada border and the US/Mexico border.  This week at the northern US border I saw an open park were people were walking and setting up for a wedding.  Yesterday at the southern US border the US side of the border was deserted while the beach was full of families and much construction and beautification was happening south of the 'wall'.  That in combination with the crosses representing those who have died trying to cross the border gave all of us much to think about.  Tonight Eduardo is going to talk to us about his experience with the border and growing up in Tijuana, a perspective that we don't often hear.
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers, Jen

Day 4 Pictures

Rosario, owner of home #1 where we hope to finish the roof

Family in home #2 where we are working on the foundation
Marta (mom) Uriel, Roberto, Isabel, and dad

Enjoying the Mexican beach and ocean at the border

UMMMM Lunch!  Beef with Cactus, rice, beans, and tortillas.

Day 4 - Tuesday

Today was the second day of work. It was way easier then yesterday; that because we were used to the work we were doing. We had crazy buckets lines of dirt flying back and forth and after lunch we had sand buckets flying around. The kids are always willing to help. After eating lunch, we got kind crazy and had a 10-minute dance party listening "Waka Waka" Shakira. Even the neighbors came and danced. After our day at the worksite, we went to the beach/border that has a pretty sad history to it. But the water after a long day was so refreshing. I'm hoping that these next few days will be as this exciting as was Monday and Tuesday.  I sure miss Kirkland but I think it was worth it going to Mexico over the summer. Even if it means that I tan as a tomato then get brown at night.
Love,
Alicja Cholewinska

Day two of the work to be done had such potential. We were ready at one house to put up the roof, and at the other the trenches which would form the foundation were approaching completion. We planned to have one small group prepare the roof for pouring while the others put the finishing touches on the trenches to be ready to place the foundation tomorrow. Arriving at the work site, we found that this was not necessarily the case; the house that comprised of just walls lacked some materials to set up the roof, so we all went to the other house to dig out more of the foundation. All that dirt had to go somewhere and we became very proficient at the 'fireman's line' and some of us even found our groove for throwing and catching half-full buckets again after two years of little use. We had nearly finished the trenches with the late morning overcast skies when we departed for the first house again for that most wonderful, home-cooked meal.


Lunch surpassed the memories of many of us, and the imaginations of a few, as we held a mini block party, complete with dancing and music from the stereos of the vans. After the welcome break a small group once again stayed behind to help prep the roof for pouring. Unfortunately, we hit yet another snag as we discovered that the beams we were to hang were not long enough, and we were thus thrust once more to the breach to finish the trenches, and then the real fun began, as the base of the foundation was filled with sand and cinder-blocks were passed around to provide the first layer of support. The pouring of the cement and the laying of the levels will happen tomorrow (we hope) while yet again we try to get some more roof work done.


After work, we made a quick trip to the beach at the boarder, where we found a monument marking the border, and a collection of crosses in memorial of those who lost their lives trying to cross the border. Something that is little publicized is the death toll for those attempting to cross, and from the number of crosses, some with names, some without, it became abundantly clear just how much was risked in crossing. This prompted me to wonder, "What is it that is so important, so encouraging, to people?" And I realized that the work that we are doing is never going to be enough, that help from foreign helpers bringing goodwill will never be able to solve the problem that drives people from their homes. That sort of systematic change must come from within, but every little bit that we can do to help will make a difference in the lives of that many more families. Thanks so much for the support.
~J.B.

hola, como estas?! yo estoy bien y yo conozo solo este. haha. i'm pretty sure i butchered that as well, but day two is warm tijuana has been a blast! it's great to be back. i've missed the sights, smells, food, people, and most of all sense of community. today we did work on the trenches. finishing most of the digging right before lunch and then finishing the work day by pouring in some sand and laying some bricks for the foundation of the wall. once again i got a nice cool refreshing shower made from dirt falling above me from the bucket line. haha. it's really great to see the teamwork that had stemmed from a group the i feel didn't really know each other in the beginning. sure some of us are from the same schools and sure we know faces. but we didn't have as much team-building activities as we did in previous trips and it was just really nice to see that despite that, we are still able to pull together and become one human machine on this trek. you really should see us. those bucket lines were prime. and the way we look out for each other and have all those inside jokes after three days was AWESOME. this was one of thee best groups i have ever gone on a mission trip with and i'm really looking forward to serving with them the rest of this week and hopefully years to come. i can't tell you how much closer we've grown and all the memories we've made thus far. all i can say is, you really had to be there.

love from tijuana. xoxo. thuyvy.

p.s. dear skip's mom. he threw his smelly sock (with holes in them) at me. he should get a talking to.

Day 3 Pictures

There is work to be done! And some fun too...

House #1 - Finish 5 rows of walls, pour cement in walls, set roof, pour cement roof

House #2 - Finish diggin foundation, pour concrete foundation and floor...

Evening visit to the girls living with the Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus.

Day 3 - Monday

The Trekkers were not suppose to wake up until 7am this morning and to my surprise they all got up shortly after 6:30am ready for breakfast and some were ready for their morning chores. Actually, I'm not surprised at all because as I told the long term volunteer in charge of our group that our crew is probably one of the most efficient, hard working and consistent group that she'll ever serve with.

After breakfast we worked on our daily morning tasks and then did some stretching for the physically tiring work ahead of us. After having our orientation with the volunteer coordinator, Eduardo, we headed out to a community called La Morita. This is the same community where I first worked at with our Trekkers nine years ago.

Today we worked on two different homes but all within a five to six block distance. The first home we helped finish putting up the walls and then poured cement. The other home we're helping dig the foundation. We'll post pictures later and Trekker comments.

After work we visited an all girls "half-way home" and our Trekkers just loved playing with the kids. I constantly had to remind then that they can't take the kids home. This facility that we visited is a place where parents that can't afford to provide for their daughters, for whatever reason, can leave them with the Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus so the kids can have a house, food and the care that they need.

Everyone continues to do very well and I speak for the entire group when I say that we all feel welcome, safe and appreciated. Today is one of those days that I wish we can bring more people from the Parish, not just the students but also parents and anyone who can come to experience this life giving opportunity.

I will let the Trekkers add their comments about this day but know that everyone is happy, tired and maybe even sore from all our work today but happy and with joy filled hearts.

Thanks for reading.

Be Blessed,
JT

Hi everyone!

It's been another beautiful day in Tijuana. Today was our first day at the worksites, which were amazing. We are working with two different families in one community. The first family has constructed most of their house, and today we built up walls and poured cement (FUN!) for their home. The other family is only at the very beginning of the process, and so we dug trenches for their foundation. We got a ton done in just one day and are looking forward to doing much more in the coming days! It was, as we were warned, a complete workout, but we took a break for possibly the best lunch I've ever had in my life. Rice and beans, (and meat and potatoes for the meat eaters) with yummy salsa and homemade tortillas-- who could ask for anything more?

After finishing up at the worksites we went to the Casa Hogar, which is an orphanage / halfway-house run by nuns. We spent an hour playing with them-- tag to pretend, and everything in between. I personally made friends with a little girl named Maria, who likes butterflies, apples, and the color purple. It was hard not to take her back to the posada in the van!

Tijuana continues to feel very safe. As Eduardo says, this city isn't at all like the American media makes it out to be. The people are wonderfully welcoming and the experiences we're having are lifechanging.

Big hugs to everyone at home!

Much love,

Taryn

Hello from Tijuana! It's evening--right before dinner--and everyone is either showering, preparing food, or relaxing after a day's hard work. This morning, my group started our work at Marta's house. Our job there was to pick axe the soil, shovel it out of the trenches, and then pass the dirt in buckets to the dirt pile. Marta and her husband (a taxi driver) have three children, ages 6, 8, and 10, who were an enthusiastic and hardworking part of our dirt bucket line. I had the pleasure to work next to all three of them; Uriel, Roberto, and little Lupita. Roberto was a joker, Lupita was incredibly strong minded, and when it was time to leave for the other work site, Uriel grabbed me in a huge hug and told me not to leave. It was all I could do to not stick him in the trunk of our van, but I promised him that we would come back tomorrow.

At the other site, we mixed concrete and passed it along in a bucket line into the house, where Eduardo spread it on the bricks. It was hard work, but it was very satisfying to get in the car at the end of the day and know we had finished that work site.

After work we visited a halfway house where we all played a rousing game of freeze tag. I made friends with a little girl named Alexandra who was enchanted by both my camera and Thomas. She (along with several other girls) chased him around the whole time and, when it was time to say goodbye, made me promise that I would beat him up for her later.

Despite some sore muscles, everyone is doing well. I am loving the culture of Tijuana and eager at any chance to practice my clumsy Spanish.

Love and hugs,
Maria

Wonderful, a quick and early rise this morning gave way to a morning full of anticipation for the coming day and the work that would get done. Morning chores went quickly, and we were ready to go well before the staff were ready to take us. Hearing about the basics of the worksite and the work that would be done, we prepared for the energy and excitement to be sapped by the sun before mid day.

Such was not to be the case, as we arrived later than normal to the worksite and split ourselves- one group to prepare the wall and pour the cement that would hold the house together, and the other to continue the work on a foundation nearby. Regardless of the work, the families happiness and hard work made it clear that we were appreciated, even if it did lead to some horsing around. The limitations of the short morning were more than made up for by the amount of work that got done; a blessing of a day, the sky was high overcast, preventing the sun from exhausting us as it had yesterday. Three short hours of work after noon, and we departed for the Posada to freshen up before an evening field trip.

The trip to the orphanage of St. Theresa provided a wonderful opportunity to relax and cut loose as we played active games of tag and soccer with the children who had so much more energy than I. Watching faces light up, and seeing others bond (limited spanish makes that kinda tough for me) brought such a sense of meaning and purpose to the trip that the thought of the work these next few days has filled me with anticipation of watching that same joy appear on the faces of the families we are helping. It has become clear just how much of a difference we can and will make.

~J.B.

Ah there's nothing like the first day of work. And the goodnight's sleep that follows. We split the group in two today in order to continue digging a foundation at one site and finish the walls at another. We all worked very hard and will be feeling it in the moring for sure. But getting to work with the families, talking to them, and of course eating the delicious food are worth it. After work today we went to an orphanage and played with the children there. It's always great to see the joy they get from having visitors.

I've always loved coming down here and being back just feels great. I can't wait for the rest of the week.

From Mexico with love, Blake

It's almost time for bed, so this is going to be a petite update. Not knowing Spanish is definitely a handicap, but smiles go along way too. During our visit to the St. Theresa orphanage (halfway house?), we played Sun and Ice tag, got "sent to prison" by a little girl who went by "Sol", and pet the resident bunny "Coffee and Milk." We also worked today, building walls and digging trenches. However, the best part of the day was lunchtime - rice, beans, and BEEF with tortillas. It was just so good I don't even want to write about it. It's just inexplicable. There was alot of driving and sunshine and sunscreen and sleeping and it was just a good day! More to come so stay tuned! ~~~ Mucho Amor, Sophie and Brett

What a fantastic first work day with the Tijuana Trekkers! The team I was with continued digging a foundation that was started by last week's group. It felt good to establish a work rhythm- whether shoveling dirt or passing it along the bucket line. Let's see how sore I am tomorrow! I've made it a point to set aside time to talk more with the families we are working with, as well as reconnecting with people I met the first time I was here last September. I enjoyed the challenge of using my slowly improving Spanglish skills to communicate! Time to get some shuteye to have the energy to do our community-building work again.~~~Hasta Luego Amigos! Ron 8)

Day 2 Pictures

Futbol ~ Tijuana Professional Team

Futbol!

Iglecia Catholica

Day 2 - Sunday

Wow, two days and I'm already exhausted. A solid night's sleep should not leave me this tired but after a full day in the sun, I am eager with anticipation for the coming week. Mass this morning at the neighborhood church and a stop at the bakery on the way back to the posada and then pancakes should provide adequate energy, but somehow, after an afternoon at the football game, I am ready to curl up and sleep through the night and start work tomorrow. With any luck, we will all be working with each other, but either way, it will be great to get the work started.
~J.B.

PADRE y MADRE!! fuimos a ver un partido de futbol y no era muy interesante y decian malas palabras. jajaja. te quiero mucho pero no vas a ler esto, jajaja.
Beso, Catu y Tote

It's been a great couple of days in Baja California! Though we're only miles from the US border, it feels like we're in a whole different world. I loved the taqueria last night, though I definitely overdid it with the peppers (tears were running down my face). Today, church was awesome, and futbol was muy divertido (very fun). I can't wait to get working tomorrow and start meeting the amazing people of the Tijuana community!
Much love to everyone,
Taryn

These two past days have been very exciting because of such great people that are here! Today we went to a soccer game and it was so much fun getting to experience such a great activity. The food is so delicious.
Ruby

WOW! The first couple days in Tijuana, Mexico have been amazing! As my first time outside of the country I can't believe the surroundings and atmosphere around us. When arriving in Baja California, the amount of garbage in the streets and poverty we saw pulled at my heart strings. It is nothing like home. It is crowded, there are lots of stray dogs begging for food and yet the joy you get from seeing a smile on a stranger's face...it gives me so much joy. Many people have little here but are sooo happy. And at home in the U.S. people have more and many still aren't as thankful, happy, joyful and alive as these people are. I love being here. I love it.
love to my family and friends.
Emily Ann :)

Day 2 - Sunday

We got to sleep in until 7am got everyone ready and then walked over to St Anthony de Padua Church for the 8am Mass. Beautiful Church but the sound system kept making high pitch noises, kind of reminds me of a Church on Main Street in Bellevue = )

After Mass we walked over to a bakery and had some delicious pastries. I told the teens not to eat too much because we're having pancakes and eggs at the Posada for breakfast but I was quickly reminded that they are teens and that they're bottomless pits when it comes to food.

After breakfast we're heading over to one of the Costco stores for supplies this week. Yes, there are two Costco stores in the area. After Costco we're off to a soccer game. We'll just be hanging out at the Posada in the evening.

Everyone is doing very well and we're all excited to go to the game. Have a great day and the teens will post comments later.

Be Blessed,
JT