I had the absolute honor of going down to the Texas border with some friends. Through their organization Practice Mercy, they are able to help Indigenous women and children that are seeking asylum within our borders. Due to the laws that govern this country, they must remain in Mexico until their asylum case, which could take months, sometimes years, if it ever does happen. They are forced to stay in tents, if they are lucky. These tents are provided by Catholic Charities to these people, to protect them from the outdoor elements as best they can.

Practice Mercy practices a holistic approach to helping these people. Relationships are formed along with trust. Twice a week the leader of Practice Mercy takes the ladies to a restaurant where she has made arrangements for them to come. At the time they have agreed on, when no one is present in the restaurant, these ladies and their children show up for a meal. It is a way for them to get fed, to share their stories and their lives, and for a brief moment feel somewhat human. I decided that I wanted to help serve them, so that is what I did, putting food on their plates, and then once they were done removing their plates from them.

One lady watched me the entire time, her name was Lily. We could not communicate because we did not speak each others language. Each time we were there, she would rub my arm and try to say my name, we would exchange smiles, and we would hug each other. I listened as her story was told and held it so deeply in my heart. On the final day, the ladies wanted to show us their tent back at the refugee camp in Reynosa. They considered us friends and now they wanted to invite us to their homes, just as any friend would. We went through the camp, and there was rows of thousands of tents huddled all together. Honestly I had no idea how they could ever find their tent within all the others, but they did. Each lady stood proudly as she showed the tent she was staying in, just like a friend would invite you to their house and welcome you.