Intro: Inspiration from the Borderlands: Moving forward with Hope

After a weeklong Mexico - U.S. border immersion experience with the YAGM (Young Adults in Global Mission), I am charged to share the stories of people living in, working in, and crossing the borderlands. Our group of 7 YAGM Mexico volunteers have a range of moderate, conservative, and liberal opinions on immigration issues. A unique part of this journey was its purpose: It was not to convince us that one of the many sides is right or wrong.  Instead, we went to the border to see these issues for what they are, and hear the human stories from all sides. At the border and beyond, issues of migration affect all of us. Learning more is one of the most important steps we can take! As we learn more, we can share open dialogue and improve the situation for the sake of global health and security. In the following blog posts, I will share images, stories, info, and ideas for action or non-action inspired by the people and places we visited.

Here our group stands by water tanks on the Mexican side of the border with men from CRREDA, an organization of men recovering from drug and alcohol addiction.  To support themselves through recovery, these men do community service, including filling water tanks for migrants in the Mexican desert.  These water tanks are a short walk from the border wall.