Hearts that Yearn for Justice Blog

Beginning on campus, this January 2010 class traced the path (in reverse) of many immigrants from the Northwest through Oregon and California to Mexico. The road trip, visiting a variety of ministries and organizations along the way, addressed justice issues of these immigrant working families. In Tijuana, Mexico, students worked at an orphanage and also attended the “Justice for Women and Children” conference led by well-known international leaders at Casa Del Migrante. The study trip was led by the Rev. Dr. David Ellingson, Professor of Children, Youth & Family Studies.

Read student reflections on their experience:

"Social Justice and Stepping Outside the Box" by Sam Ryden
"Sanctuary" by Leanne Elliott
"Building Hope" by Steph Tussing
"Everyone has a Story" by Jose Rodriguez
"The Death Train" by Kelsey Peterson
"A Taste of Mexican Culture" by Peter Chase
“The Deportee’s Wife” by Lauren Gray
"End of a Class, Beginning of Something Greater" by Sarah Toomata

Social Justice and Stepping Outside the Box
Jan. 11, 2010

Social Justice. Those are two words I had never really focused on before I came to Trinity Lutheran College this past fall. However, over my first semester I heard that phrase on many occasions. I never truly understood the depth or importance of it for the church and for my own faith. But when I found out there was a chance to take a trip to Mexico, study the issue of immigration, and work with ministries with people on the front line to bring about justice in the name of Christ; I could not pass it up.

So far, I have not regretted that decision. Sure, we have spent far too many hours sitting in the van, watching the miles pass by and it feels like we have been driving for ten days rather than only three; but we have had some good times and heard some inspiring testimonies as well.

We stopped at two different churches that minister to Spanish-speaking communities and spent time visiting the Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary. The hospitality and enthusiasm for their vocations have been inspiring to say the least. And it is only just the beginning.

Soon we will be in Mexico, joining in with other sojourners to focus our energy on the problems caused by immigration and what we can do to make a change. Personally, coming from Alaska, this is a huge step outside of the box. Immigration does not touch us too heavily back home, so most of my understanding of this issue came from books and the media. However, now that I am actually listening to people as they pour out all the pain and struggles they have been though, it starts to become much more real. I can actually see the people and, while I will never be able to completely understand or relate to all they have overcome, I cannot help but feel for them. It has begun to transforms the issue of immigration for me. It is no longer just about ideas and statistics, it is now about the people. And it has only been three days.

Peace,
Sam Ryden
Freshman
Biblical Studies

Sanctuary
Jan. 14, 2010

We met Lilianna at Sanctuary Church a few days ago. She had an amazing and heartbreaking story to share. Her story began when she was 19 years old and made the decision to travel to the United States so that she could work. Her dream was to work in the states for a few years to save up enough money to go back to Mexico and study at University. She was unable to get a work visa and her parents who had immigrated to the United States with the proper documentation were unable to bring her over because she was over 18.

They decided to get a "coyote" to help her cross the border with some of her cousins and siblings. However when they reached the border the coyote sent her family over and told her to wait. She was going to receive a fake green card and that would get her across and her family would be waiting for her. However, once her family had left her, the coyote gave her a fake birth certificate. Possession of a fake birth certificate is a crime that if you are caught you are unable to later appeal your case or try for a visa or residency or anything. She was so nervous that she was unable to tell the guard at the border that she was the person on the certificate without crying and she was then detained for three days. She did not know what to do but knew she wanted to get out of prison and they kept telling her if she signed a document she could leave. So she signed her voluntary deportation order, without knowing what she was signing.

She was sent back to Mexico where she would try to cross again, this time she crossed through the desert and came up into California. She began working in a few different jobs to save money for University. She later met her husband who was an immigrated citizen of the United States. She and her husband tried to file for her citizenship. When she was at immigration the situation with the fake birth certificate came up; they were able to receive grace from the guards and went into hiding.

One early morning an officer of I.C.E (Immigration Control Enforcement) met her husband outside their home dressed as a casual citizen asking him to identify his wife. Once he did, the officer revealed he was a part of I.C.E and three other officers appeared.  By this time, Lilianna was a mother of three, her youngest son was two months old. The officer wanted to take her right then and there but two of the other officers again gave her grace and she was awarded five days to get things in order for her children and turn herself in before she would be arrested, detained and deported. While her husband was taking her to the immigration office she decided she wanted to go into sanctuary and she has been in sanctuary ever since. She is unable to leave her house except to go to church and a member of the church is with her at all times in the house incase immigration comes.

Today we journeyed down to Mexico! Crossing the border was an overwhelming experience. While we were in line to drive across, we saw a young man get arrested and in that moment everything we have been studying became real. We have read so many books, and heard so many stories of people crossing the border and what it was like, but to experience it first hand was incredible. And then to drive to El Posada where we are staying in Tijuana and seeing the border fence was again a whole new experience that put the reality into perspective. Once arriving safely at El Posada we drove to an AIDS rehab clinic. This clinic is not government funded and there are no doctors. As patients heal, they begin to help out around the house taking care of other patients and giving out medicine.  It was such an amazing experience because everything that they did was from the heart. They do not close their doors to anyone because they are their patients’ last hope; the hospitals have told them they are going to die but many of them gain full recovery while at this clinic. The love you feel as soon as you walk through the doors is breath taking and everyone is there for each other. 

It has been really cool to experience the change in all of us throughout this trip. We all come from very different backgrounds, some with immigration experience and others with none. However every single one of us have been affected by the stories we have heard, or the things we have experienced. We have only just begun our pilgrimage in Mexico and are looking forward to everything that is to come in the next week. Please keep us and everyone we have met in your prayers.

Vaya Con Dios,
Leanne Elliott
Sophomore
Children Youth and Family Studies

Building Hope
Jan. 14, 2011

We are in Tijuana, Mexico right now staying at the headquarters of a ministry named Ezperanza. This ministry helps people save for their own homes, find or obtain loans for building materials and helps organize groups to help families build.

Today we went to a few houses but the first house we visited really gave me a lot of joy. We walked into an unkempt yard with a few dogs and a house built out of concrete with no windows yet and no door. The people there all had been blessed by their homes and in gratitude to the people who built them and supported them they made us this amazing lunch and asked us our stories about our lives and really listened to us and openly shared their lives as well.

In particular, I spoke with a woman in my broken Spanish. She said life has been very hard yet she had a smile on her face and was so loving and open to us. That was something I will never forget. Our journey has definitely not been perfect but simple experiences like that make it all worth it.

Another important thing that happened today was that we went to an all girls orphanage for dinner. I was not in the mood to go and honestly just wanted to get it over with, but when we walked into their dining hall, the girls just blew me over. They had prepared a welcoming song for us and obviously put a lot of effort into it and I wasn't expecting anything like that. After they were finished singing, girls started coming over to where we were all standing and grabbed our hands one by one and brought us over to where they were sitting. A girl named  Ireka let me sit down on her chair while she sat on my lap and proceeded to pick apart her sandwich and feed me the parts she didn't like! She told me she was 6 years old and a few other things about herself but mostly I didn't understand what she was saying. We had a blast together and played and she and one of her friends gave me a tour of the whole orphanage.

We had planned only to stay for two or so hours but it went by so fast. By the time we had to leave, the girls got together and sang us a farewell song and I received so many hugs from girls I hadn't even met. I wish we could have stayed longer. Those are just some experiences that were meaningful to me and I know God is using this trip to help me come back to Him and what He wants for my life.

God bless!

Steph Tussing
Junior
Social Work

Everyone has a Story
January 16, 2010

Hearts for Justice! When I first heard about this class I knew right away what I wanted to take it for my J-term experience. I have always been passionate about immigration issues, but never actually got the opportunity to take a journey to experience myself. So far, I’ve learned a lot of things that I never would have imagined. Everyone has a story.

In Mexico when we got to Esperanza Ministries, we learned a lot from Eduardo. He takes pride in his country and Tijuana, his town. We went with Eduardo to an AIDS clinic where I learned so much from a man named Abraham because his life was so difficult. He mentions how he lost his family and the people he loves because of the things he was involved in. He was addicted to drugs and then later on found out he had HIV. After he got better he said how valuable life is and how he loves to work with people who get to the clinic in critical conditions.

I felt good about myself when we went to the orphanage. I saw how the little girls in the place were full of life but I was also thankful that I had my parents with me from the beginning till now. When I started talking to one of the little girls, she noticed I had a rosary around my neck and she liked it. That rosary meant a lot to me because my grandmother gave it to me but I decided to give it to Wendy, the little girl I met. I told her to never take it off because of what it meant to me, and because the Jesus on the little cross was going to be with her wherever she goes. One thing I also did at the orphanage was promising some of the little girls that watched me gave my rosary to Wendy that I was also going to buy one rosary for each of them because I didn’t have one for them at the time. So far that is what I have found important and how I’ve been changed. I see life in a different perspective than usual and I believe it will help me be a better person now. 

I guess that’s all for now! Que dios los bendiga y adios...

Jose Rodriguez
Freshman
Psychology

The Death Train
January 21, 2010

As we crossed back over the border into Mexico for the second time in a week I was filled with sadness. Not only because I was again going to a country where I didn’t know the language but I was also entering it knowing that millions of people travel and try to cross the border to get to the other side.

One person who comes to mind is Enrique, a boy who traveled from Honduras through Mexico to try and get to the United States to find his mother. Enrique was five and his sister, Belky, was seven when their mother, Lourdes, left for the U.S. to find work to better support her children. She did what many other mothers do because they want better lives for their children. Eleven years after Enrique’s mother left he decides to go to the U.S. to find her.
Enrique, along with many other children go through horrible things trying to make this trip. Many children try over and over again to get to the United States. Some get caught and get deported back to their country, some make it, and some even die.

Enrique has tried to make the treacherous journey eight times. One time he made it so far he could see the United States but got caught and had to go all the way back to Honduras. One other time he was riding on top of a train when bandits surrounded him, beat him, and threw him off the train. Thankfully he lived but not without scars and bruises all over his body.

While traveling through Mexico children often ride on top of trains to get to places. When trains stop at check points the migrants must jump off and run or hide from police officers who will send them back to their country. When the train starts going again the migrants must jump onto it while it is moving. Some children are not strong enough and the train pulls them under and they lose limbs or die from getting run over by the wheels. People call the train “El Tren de la Muerte” (The Death Train). The train isn’t the only thing dangerous about traveling to the U.S. There are also bandits and gangs who come and steal, beat, and sometimes rape the children. Children lose clothing and shoes while they are traveling. Some without shoes get such bad blisters they decide to get caught on purpose to try and get another pair of shoes in the home country. These children usually don’t have any money and if they do it is very little and they don’t have any food.

The children go through things I can’t even imagine going through. They have amazing hearts and are extremely brave. What they must go through to find their mothers is something no one should ever have to go through. I hope one day the United States will be able to help these children and stop these deaths.

In Christ,
Kelsey Peterson
Junior
Children, Youth, and Family

A Taste of Mexican Culture

Over the time we have been in Mexico we have experienced many different things that we are not accustomed to. One of the main differences is how much food they put on your plate and all of the different spices that are in it. But, the biggest difference that I saw during this trip was their love for sports.

On Sunday we experienced this first hand as our guide, Eduardo, took us to a pro-soccer game. The atmosphere was electric before we even entered the stadium. All of the home team fans were decked out in red and black gear to support their team. In Mexico the soccer game brings whole families together for real bonding time. Soccer is a big passion for most people in Mexico.

The game itself was slow to start with, but the fans were still fired up yelling at the referees for perceived bad calls. Once the home team scored a goal, all of the fans in the stadium would get on their feet and throw confetti at each other. There was also a section of fans that jumped up and down and tried to storm the field after every goal their team scored. In the end, the home team won the game 4-2 and the fans left the stadium happy.

After this game I have more respect for soccer players and the game they play. Not all of the players fake injuries to get penalties but they do take some hard hits in the process. This trip has opened my eyes to all kinds of different things and to the sport of soccer.

Thank you all,
Peter Chase
Junior
Communications

“The Deportee’s Wife”
January 21, 2010

What does God require of you, but to do justice, love kindly and walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:8)

Never did I imagine I would spend a few days in Mexico, leave for a few hours, and then come back again for a few more days. Well, that’s exactly what I just did. I just finished with the Justice for Women and Children conference in Tijuana and, wow, have I learned a lot.

For the past four days we have all been given a wonderful opportunity to share some memorable moments with pastors, professors, and ourselves. The stories we heard were so life changing. There were many speakers during this four day conference and the one I most remember is Giselle Stern-Hernandez. Two nights ago, Giselle recited her drama titled “The Deportee’s Wife” in which she told her story of how she has dealt with trying to live with her husband, Roberto, in the United States. Giselle met her husband in a club and, after they talked, they realized it was meant to be. Roberto then got arrested in the United States for having a weapon on him in 1993 and was deported to Mexico. From then on, Giselle and her husband had to deal with tons of money and paperwork to try to get Roberto to go back into the U.S. After years of pain and insanity, it was decided that Roberto could not enter back into the U.S. until 2011, which luckily is next year, but to them has been a lot longer than a year.

After listening to Giselle’s story, my mind and my heart wondered what I would do in that situation. Being a deportee’s wife and trying so hard to deal with the pain and agony within your heart and your marriage all because you just want to live a better life. It’s just so unfair. I have been so grateful and so blessed to have a life where I can just walk across the border without any problem.

This life we live where we find things so convenient and easy seems way too simple for me. Think about how privileged we are to have clean water to drink any time we want. We have shoes on our feet so we can go outside and play soccer without any problems. We are able to get our passports in a matter of two weeks when it takes others years. So, what can we do to change this? When can we change this? The time is now. We can all be the change if we set our minds to it and ask for help from our Savior. We can ask Him to keep us from anxiety and fear and to open our hearts to love and justice.

Vaya Con Dios,
Lauren Gray
Junior
Children, Youth, and Family Studies

The end of a class, the beginning of something greater.

I started this trip not knowing what I was getting into. When I first heard about this class, I was interested for a number of reasons: One, I wanted to take a class with Dave Ellingson, because he always seems to offer fun classes. Two, I wanted to go home to California. It is a rare chance for me to go home and I was not about to let this one pass me by. Three, I wanted to visit Mexico again.

As the trip drew closer and closer, I was getting more and more anxious. I have no idea why until I realized it: I was strongly and firmly against immigration. There was an unquenchable fire in me that could not nor would not allow foreign, undocumented people to live in the country of my birth.

I was born and raised in Southern California in a suburb of Los Angeles and so Spanish-speaking people surrounded me. I felt threatened all my life. Here were these people coming from a different country, taking jobs from those who deserved them and forcing my generation to learn Spanish in order to help get a better job. I was angry and resentful. They were taking over my state and my country and I could not do anything about it. Anger, resentment and even hatred filled me for the first week of class and even as we started our trip. I put on a brave face and did not let on how uncomfortable I felt about meeting different people who have shared their experience of lives with us. I sat there with the rest of the class and listened politely as my mother taught me. 

Then we crossed the border. The first night there was the hardest for me. I felt alone. I was so scared that I was on the verge of tears and I could do nothing about it. The feelings returned but I managed to get through them.

It was at Esperanza that my thoughts started to change. We meet with different families who welcomed us warmly and made us apart of their families. The change was gradual and I did not notice it happened until the end of our stay at Esperanza and the beginning of the Hearts for Justice Conference. For the conference, we stayed at a migrant shelter and it killed me a little on the inside but it was a place to stay with a roof and a warm bed.

Distinguished people talked but I do not know who they were but they started to change me. I heard so many stories that it was as if God was personally removing all the anger and hatred from me with his own hands. It was at the border the second time that I was changed for good.

The first time being there did not do much for me. I was sorry that so many people died but it did not pass through my heart. The second time it did. I stood there, looking at the three fences and cried inside. It was there that my heart broke and I realized that Mexicans, and everyone else, had a right to search for a better life for themselves. 

People on the other side of the border were no different from those on this side. We think, eat, laugh, cry, and die the same way. What gave me the right to judge them and hate them for searching for something better for their lives and the lives of their families?

Standing in front of a crowd full of activists and admitting that they were right, and I was wrong, was hard. It was even harder to admit that I stood directly opposite of them. Yet I did. In front of 70 or more people, I confessed that I neither liked nor loved my neighbor for most of my life. Moved by the spirit, I realized one thing was important: It does not matter what we believe or that you and I stand opposite in what we believe. What matters is the fact that you know and I know that something is wrong and we can change and should be willing to change. 

With Jesus in our hearts and justice on our minds, we can change the world where people do not have to do die in order to find something better; children are not exploited and sold into slavery for pedophiles. We need to be the change we want and be willing to take up your cross and follow Jesus.

Your sister in Christ,
Sarah Toomata
Sophomore
Social Work