February 5th - Day Trip
Our trip on Saturday wasn't what we expected. I honestly felt disappointed with how it went. The relationships we are building for this branch of our efforts are still fresh, and we're learning how we can best fit and maximize our resources. However, we did get the chance to provide a hot meal (hot dogs by request) donate many items like blankets, feminine hygiene products, clothes, and new jackets to this community. The overall lesson we took from this experience is that showing up is what's important. The more we show up, the more we will learn, and the better we will become at helping those who need help in this community.
Sadly I just got the update that the tent village we visited, consisting primarily of refugees from Honduras, is gone as of writing this. There were hundreds of tents housing many families, and we don't know where they were forced to flee to yet. The strain that Mexico and especially the border cities have experienced from hundreds of thousands of refugees from Central America and Haiti has been extremely hard for Mexico, as you can imagine.
Journey to Refuge is pivoting from solely building homes to also learning how to help with this humanitarian crisis. Here's what we do know. If you're willing, you can make a positive impact in the life of someone experiencing a more challenging life than you can imagine. I started a non-profit alone, whit no clue what I was doing. I was able to do this because I had invested in other efforts south of the border for a long time. I invested my heart, my time, and a lot of patience and have made some of the most life-changing and meaningful relationships I've known. It all started with saying yes. Showing up was first and learning from others, seeing difficult things, and placing myself into uncomfortable situations. I'm a better person because of it, by a lot. Then I gathered others who wanted to help and I am incredibly grateful for them.
If you think, you might want to say yes. If you think you may want to see something uncomfortable, please join us. We will do it together, and one cause at a time, we'll make the world a little better. Together we’ll continue providing hot meals, donating items and resources, building homes, adding smiles to faces, and God willing spark hope.
Sincerely,
Candice
