This afternoon after church I took off West on my bike for a nice long ride. About three miles in, I saw a middle-aged woman standing behind a barbed-wire fence, hunching over and hiding behind a tree. I looked at her. She looked at me. She was startled and wide-eyed. I thought about stopping and asking if she was okay or if she needed help. But I kept on riding.
What if she was armed? What if she wasn't alone, and someone with her was armed? What if it was actually her property, and she was just surprised to see a white girl riding a bright blue road bike down the highway on a Sunday afternoon in Starr County, Texas? After all, no one does that here. I kept riding.
A half a mile later, I passed a state trooper parked by the side of the road. That's normal- they're everywhere here. Another quarter mile, and a state trooper was riding slowly down a side road on the right side of the highway. Another half mile, and I passed by where the border observation blimp is tethered down and I rode under the blimp. I kept riding for about 25 minutes. I passed more border patrol cars and state troopers. Do I stop and tell someone so they can check on her?....check on her? Will it really be checking on her? Why did she appear to be hiding? Who was she looking for, standing that close to the highway? Who was she waiting on?
Is she a non-citizen looking for family? Is she a citizen trying to help non-citizen friends or family? Either way my heart started to break but I still did not stop or look for a law enforcement official to talk to. I didn't know if it was my place and I didn't want to cause heartache for someone I barely knew or a nuisance for the patrollers if it was just a normal girl on her own property. Honestly, I thought she was standing so close to the highway and they patrol so frequently, it would only be a matter of short time before they stopper her themselves. So I kept riding but I couldn't stop thinking about it and my heart was so heavy. I arrived at only one conclusion up to this point: No matter which side of the border security argument you stand on, come live in an area where it affects daily life before you speak or move without compassion.
I turned my bike around to head back towards my home. I passed some cows and a nice old lady who was sitting on her porch with her caretaker. I relaxed a little bit and listened to my music and rode on. And then I approached and passed the blimp. And then a state trooper. And then i came over a hill and back to the spot where I had first seen the woman, and there were the lights. 7 cars- some border patrol, some state troopers, and some unmarked. A few tears started rolling down my face and I pedaled faster. I saw the woman and another man sitting on the curb and her face was buried in her hands. The back of her jacket was covered in dirt and debris and his arms were soiled. I kept riding.
For some reason, something in me wanted to stop and tell her, "no les dije nada!" "I didn't tell them anything!" I thought about that the rest of the way home...and came to the conclusion that I don't want her to think that rich, white people are full of hate and out to get her. It's obvious when you see me on my bike that I'm blessed financially. My bike is a flashy blue, I was wearing all Nike and a helmet and had 2 camelback water bottles strapped on my bike. The white headphones made it obvious I was listening to music on my iphone. I am not wanting for anything; I do no know severe pain, and a bike is not my primary means of transportation- for that, I have a car. I was just on a recreational bike ride. I do not take my blessings for granted nor do I think that it is wrong that I have them- rather, I turn back every blessing with thanks and praise to God and I give to his church and ministry regularly. But that doesn't stop me from sticking out like a sore thumb in situations like these.
I don't know how the story ends but I do know that my heart breaks that there are many people with similar stories who are in such great need that they risk their lives to come to my country in search of something better. I am not making a statement about immigration policy and I will not do so. I am making a statement about love and compassion. What if God's people in the US and in Mexico rise up and reach out to those in need? What if we provide education pathways for people in Mexico so that they can obtain jobs that will change the course of their family's life? What if we at least cared about the violence that so many are running from?
I look forward to continuing to partner with Do For One to provide education to children in need in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico- just 90 miles West from where I currently live- and I invite you to join me. May they know that they are loved and that the Lord knows their name. May they succeed in school and grow up to teach their children to love God and love people. And may we be the generation that gives out of our abundance so that children like Raul, Dulce, and Brayan have the financial sponsorships that give them the right to an education.
If you are interested in learning more about Do For One, check out our website at do-for-one.org. We are a 501c3 tax exempt organization dedicated to combatting poverty by providing basic aid, educational and leadership opportunities to children in impoverished nations in the name of Jesus Christ.
Love,
Emily Grace
