Mexico - heavy on my heart

Mexico again...

Today- February 22nd.  It is a significant date in my mind now, as on this date one year ago I was on my way to Mexico.  Beautiful Mexico with even more beautiful people.  So, here's to February 22nd, and here's to Mexico and her people - things to be thankful for indeed.  However my feelings of joy and thankfulness regarding Mexico meet up with some very different feelings... sadness to name one...

(The below was written around the very end of January/beginning of February)
So, it has now been a little less than a year since my time in Mexico.  But Mexico is still at times in front of my mind and on my heart.  And... in the news.  Ugh. (I don’t have big political agendas but not all things political are just political, some are more personal.  And this is personal).  

Yesterday I met a “Dreamer” - one of the thousands of people who have lived in the U.S. most all of their lives and could be deported.  Deported.  Taken out of this country from all that they have known.  Away from family.  Away from friends.  Away from all things familiar to them.   

I was gathering some ingredients for dinner and looking for Cotija cheese (as well as chipotle peppers in adobo sauce)- not so easy to find in your mainline grocery stores.  And, honestly, it doesn’t take much for me to be convinced that it would be a good idea to go to an ethnic grocery store as opposed to the average chain grocery store or big box store.  So, I looked up area Hispanic groceries and was soon on my way to better ingredients for dinner.

Before leaving the house, I had the thought to grab one of the Mexico shirts (I have about 5 or so left).  So, I did.  I arrived at the store and started working my way down my list (with the shirt in my purse- it is a large purse- no surprise to any of you who know about my inability to pack light).  While in the store I met one of the employees, Antonio (name changed), who was helping me with a question I had.  I asked him where he was from; he was from Mexico.  I decided to go out of my comfort zone a bit and share some of my thoughts on current events (namely my sadness over what is going on with Mexico and other countries, in that people from Mexico and other places may not feel welcome here by all- and some people may even have to leave depending on what is decided by the U.S. government).  Antonio then shared:  “I am one of the Dreamers”.  

Wow.  He, this nice young man standing in front of me, could be deported.  He has committed no crimes, done no harm- but could be taken away from all the life he has known because...   why?  It makes no sense to me.  It is so sad to me.  And all the more real and in my face and on my heart since he is right there in front of me.  Antonio and I talked some more.  He didn’t seem bitter about it or raging in anger by any means.  Above all- I think he was sad.  Me too.  

Hmmm.  I have been upset about the possibility of Dreamers being deported ever since I heard about it- but I haven’t done anything about it.  Well, thankfully, I met Antonio (name changed) - and that put the issue closer before my eyes and heart (and I’m a bit ashamed I didn’t do anything sooner).  So, what to do...

Well, I’m looking into that.  I have contacted the Congressmen in my district to share my concerns.  And I checked in with Antonio again to see if he had anyone to talk to if he has questions about DACA, his status, his rights, etc. (I had contacted someone prior to going back a second time to the grocery to see if they had any resources regarding immigration.  The friend I contacted  had given me the name of an attorney who does a lot of work with immigration law).  When I saw Antonio, he said he did have a lawyer that he is in contact with- so he didn’t need any additional information.  Hoping all goes well for Antonio and the many others in his situation.  They are on my heart and mind- and in my prayers.  Dios te bendiga, Mexico y Dreamers!

And the T-shirt road trip continues....

So just weeks after New Orleans came Disney (March 15, 2017).  Some friends decided to give each member of our family (the 4 of us) a 3-day pass to Disney.  So we would spend part of our Spring Break in March using our Disney passes.  Wow!  At this point (well, even before this) I felt overwhelmed.  It had been nearly too much good in too short a time- I could hardly take it.  I don't know if you've ever felt that way... but that is how I felt.  I had gotten these big gifts (Mexico, New Orleans, Disney) so close together and I felt like I could hardly take anymore good things coming my way.  I may have even feared more good happening because it was all so overwhelming - maybe too good to be true.

Our first day using the Disney passes, we went with our friends (who had given us the passes) to the Magic Kingdom.  The wife of that family mentioned she and her family (total of 4) would be wearing their Mexico shirts (they were some of the people that signed the shirt also) to Disney- she thought that would be a good place to wear them since people from all over the world are at Disney.  I had never thought about wearing the shirts to Disney.  But I am glad she did.  Our family decided to wear our shirts as well.  So there were 8 of us walking around Disney in our matching shirts that day.  Disney, a place where people from all over the world come to visit, seems like a great place to be wearing shirts that have a message of love for the world.  Thanks for thinking to wear the shirts there, Cari!

And thankfully we had the shirts around a few days later when our family went to Epcot; that seemed like a good place to where them as well (and I probably would not have thought to bring them at all if it weren’t for Cari’s idea to wear them to the Magic Kingdom) -so 3 out of 4 of us were wearing the Mexico shirts.  I definitely wanted to check with the family about what would be their top picks of things to do/see while at Epcot.  But I also had my own agenda.  I told my husband and daughters that I wanted to go to “Mexico” while at Epcot (if you haven’t been to Epcot or are not that familiar with it- it has a large section which has shops, restaurants, etc that are to represent different countries around the world- Mexico included)- I mean, how could we not go to Mexico 🇲🇽 when we were wearing the Mexico shirts!?!

Well, before heading to Mexico, we went to England.   A young lady working in the tea room there that was from Chelmsford, England asked about the shirt.  If I remember correctly, she thought that the message was “lovely” (said in her beautiful Brit accent :0).  

Now, off to Mexico (Epcot version)!  While in Mexico we met and talked with two employees there, Diego and Manuel.  They were VERY excited about the shirt.  Diego in particular expressed how he was moved by the message on it (and I think all of the signatures impacted him as well).  I wish everyone that was a part of the Mexico shirt could have been there with us to hear Diego (he was nearly in tears) and Manuel- and to see the expressions on their faces.  I think one of the greatest gifts to me is when I can see in someone’s face (or hear in their voice) that they know they are loved - that they have been sent a message of love and they heard it; felt it; believed it and are encouraged by it.  That is what happened with Diego and Manuel- it was a beautiful moment.  

We had our picture taken with Manuel and Diego, and they approved of me sharing the picture publicly (and asked a coworker to take a picture of us all as well, so that they would have their own picture!).  So, meet Diego (on left) Manuel  (on right):

If you ever happen to go to Epcot and are in Mexico, I would encourage you to ask around for Diego and Manuel (I realize that they may not still work there and/or may not be working on that day) and say hello!  I am sure that if they were there, they would be happy to see you!

From Mexico to NOLA

(I was in New Orleans from March 1st - 3rd, 2017 - I’m a bit behind on posting)

After arriving home from Mexico, I would only be home for a few days before leaving  for a much shorter trip to New Orleans.  My husband and I would be heading to the Evangelical Free Church's Southeast District Conference.
  I was particularly excited about this conference because it was hitting on so many things that are of interest to me - some of which tied right into Mexico (perhaps more on the conference later)...

And in a number of ways, Mexico came with me to New Orleans.  For one, I wore the Mexico shirt to carry on the message beyond Mexico.  And I'm so glad I did...

When we arrived at our hotel, a young man took our bags to our room.  He noticed the shirt, and we talked a bit.  He was from Brazil (he had come to New Orleans to help with construction after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina) so could read the Spanish as well as the English on the shirt (I went a bit out on a limb in asking him if he spoke Spanish- and then I held out an extra shirt I had with me for him to read).  He smiled.  And I told him a bit more on the backstory of the shirt.  He expressed that he liked the shirt, and then plainly asked (probably since he saw I had an extra):  "Can I have it?"  I wasn't expecting that - but was still pleased he asked and had no good reason to say no.  So, I said, "yes". And now one of the Mexico shirts is in New Orleans with a young man from Brazil.    Based on his enthusiasm about the shirt, I imagine the message will continue on in New Orleans long after my departure.  Makes me smile.

Didn’t want to go to NOLA without a trip to Cafe du Monde for some beignets and Cafe au lait.. and as you may be able to tell by the below pic... the beignets were pretty good...