DREAMing

This morning I went to an information session about Obama's executive order released in June. The order would allow for young immigrants without legal residency or citizenship to potentially obtain deferred action status (meaning they would not automatically get put in deportation proceedings...this does not give them permanent residence or citizenship) and work permits.

As I sat in the back of the room with my coworker (who is also a huera...it appeared that we were the only two non-Hispanic folk in the room, besides the presenter), I looked around and thought how strange for me to be there. I went to learn about the action because of who it is that I work with...but I realized that this issue was much more personal for most of the attendees, especially when questions started being asked.

I witnessed mothers hopeful for their babies. Teenagers and young adults hopeful for their future.

But I also witnessed mothers scared of deportation if "too much" information is shared. Teenagers scared that their dropping out of high school may have cost them their qualifications. Young adults scared of what could happen after November's presidential election.

The room was full of optimism and skepticism. Anything like this is has to be too good to be true, and has to have its many, many risks. If I were eligible for this action, if I did not possess legal papers, if I were an immigrant... I'm not sure if the benefits would outweigh the risks.

But. I am not any of those. I can apply for any job, I can pass by authorities with no fear, I can travel around the world, I do not fear deportation or separation.

Yes, in that room, I felt out of place. But I couldn't help but feel some sort of empathy...well, perhaps it was just sympathy...for others in the room. I guess this is what solidarity feels like? Except that I still feel the weight of what some call "privilege" on my shoulders.

May we take steps forward into Hope so that we can continue Dreaming.

Powered Up!

"Powered Up!" is the summer theme at Fort Lone Tree this year, and I have never seen our group of eleven inner-city El Paso 11-13 year olds so powered up as much as I did in accompanying them this past week at camp.

Five days of jumping through puddles, racing down the waterslide, hanging by ropes, hiding in bushes, riding horses, listening to honest stories, singing worship songs, and throwing dodgeballs revealed just how empowered pre-teens can be, especially those that are often labeled the "bad kids," "troubled," or "at-risk."

One of our kids refused to do the zipline...and the high ropes course...and the giant swing. He refused to try out the rather tall waterslide the first time our group was assigned it. But when he came to the bottom of the slide after he finally decided to give it a try the second time we were assigned the slide, he was all smiles and ran back to the top. Conquered his fears and had fun. He was sure about trying rappelling and horse-back riding...until he stood next to his assigned horse. He got up onto the saddle, and the first thing out of his mouth was, "Miss, I want to get down." I, being somewhat pushy and stubborn, refused to help him down. He eyed the ground and his stirrup, looking for the best way to get himself down, but let the height of the animal decided for him that the trip down was scarier than where he found himself up top. I saw the riders off, following on foot with our cameras, and then rejoined them after their 20-minute trail ride, only to see him with a smile. And when asked if it was fun, getting an energetic head nod.

One night at dinner some of the camp leaders announced that they would be having a sign up for campers to sign up to get involved in that nights mud rodeo, either in teams of five or individually. One of our girls came up to me and said, "I want to do the rodeo." So I asked her if the other four girls would like to sign up with her, but she was quick to respond that she already asked them and none of them wanted to. "I still want to sign up." It might not seem like a big deal, but with the girls' very self-conscious and need-to-be-with-my-friends-all-the-time attitudes, I was super proud of one of them standing up and signing up for the mud obstacle course all by herself. And not to mention, she dominated the course and wasn't scared to get rather muddy. And the other four girls had a great time cheering her on. :)

These are just two examples of the many many times I witnessed our kids stepping up the plate, trying something new, risking looking foolish, and having fun in the meantime. 

I am constantly amazed at how the simplicity and silliness of a summer camp can bring kids to their knees or encourage them to climb to the top of the platform. It was so great to be able to accompany these great kids as their confidence was boosted, their courage was discovered, and their lives were given a break from their normal routines. 

Thanks be to God.