Tortillas and Trade 2010 - Group Journal

Reflections on Mexico

Group Journal from Tortillas and Trade delegation to Mexico

January 29 - February 7, 2010

 

Friday, January 29

by Jeryl

Seventeen men and women met at Terminal 5 at O'Hare at high noon to begin the adventures of Tortillas and Trade 2010.  After passing through security, we had ample time to get to know each other a little better and meet participants we hadn't met earlier. 

Our flight with Aeromexico left on time and was smooth most of the way.  We were served a light lunch, a pleasant surprise since we no longer enjoy those on U.S. flights. 

As we approached Mexico City, we were greeted by a sea of lights.  Luke, one of our hosts, later told us those lights come from a population of 25 million. 

Luke and Ariadne directed us to three vans which transported us to the Lutheran Center where we met Kim.  Each of us found our sleeping rooms.

 

Saturday, January 30

by Dee Dee

Today is Saturday and we're in Mexico City!  We had a very full day of learning and reflecting.  I will try and highlight a few things.

After sharing a nice breakfast prepared by Gloria, Maria, and Jesus, we met in the Bonhoeffer Room (Erin was very excited about this).  We spent some time with introductions and getting to know Kim Erno, the program director, a bit more.

Our introduction to the program methodology began with our re-enactment of the Road to Emmaus.  Sue was our narrator, Wayne played Cleopas, Melody a disciple, and Pat played Jesus.  It was fun to watch Pat disappear under the very tiny end table.  Kim explained how our journey to Mexico is like this Bible passage.  On this journey we will see and hear many stories.  Kim explained how the majority of the world is on the edge of life.  With that in mind, we are here to be in solidarity with those people on the edge.

We learned in the Mayan language that there is no I, only we.  "We belong to the land, the land is my mother, she gives me life and when I die I go back to her."  This was part of the Zapatista movement and the reason they struggled for land.

After lunch we made our way to the Plaza de los Arcangeles where every Saturday artisans come and sell their goods.  We learned a little bit about Lady Guadalupe and her relationship to the people on our way.  The market was busy and colorful.  People were everywhere.  It felt good to be out walking.

After lunch, Kim led us in a discussion of global economics.  We watched a documentary on what free trade looks like and the impact NAFTA has on the economy.

Free time - yeah!  Time to reflect on what we've learned so far.  Today was John's birthday.  We made a card for him and sang Feliz Cumpleaños after dinner.  It was nice to be able to share his special day.  The cake was deliciosa...mmm.

After dinner was our Mexican history lesson from Dr. Ross Gandy.  He's a political science professor at the university.  He gave us a history lesson from the revolution to the present time.  He helped us see the struggles of Mexico and how the people are affected.  He shared stories about the people and he made us laugh.  It was good to laugh.

We closed the day with reflections.  Dave had asked us each to take a minute and mention something that impacted us today.

 

Sunday, January 31

by Glenn and John

Our second full day began with a communal Mexican breakfast at the Lutheran Center followed by a short walk to a spacious, comfortable bus that transported us to the historic center of Mexico City called Zócalo.  The plaza, one of the largest in the world, is defined on one side by the National Palace, and on another by the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Templo Mayor.  The plaza, as seen in an historic photograph, was filled with formal gardens and promenades.  Today, however, it was the site of multiple tents, used to house striking members of the local electrical workers union.

Because of the strike, the government closed the National Palace which contains major works of art by 20th Century Mexican painter Diego Rivera.  (Had we gained access today, we would have found Rivera's grandest mural behind scaffolds facilitating restoration works.)  Instead, our attention focused on the Metropolitan Cathedral and the Templo Mayor.  The cathedral, which visually dominated the plaza, was filled with worshippers, tourist families, and baptismal parties.  Before we left the area, we were thrilled by a full-throttle ringing of the cathedral bells, positioned at the top of two massive towers.  The plaza-facing facade of the cathedral is a visual confection of fifteenth century architectural styles and ornamentations.  

The Templo Mayor, a vast complex comprised of an archeological park (excavations having begun in 1978) and a contemporary four-story museum housing thousands of Aztec artifacts gleaned from the site of the Great Temple of Tenochtitlan and its environs.

Begun in the early 14th century, the Great Temple, dedicated to the Gods Tláloc and Huítzilopochtli, was closely tied to the most important aspects of the Aztec political, religious and economic life.

A bit of free time allowed our group to individually explore some of the side streets running off the plaza, home to numerous shops, luxury hotels, and restaurants.

We regrouped for a lovely luncheon at Mexico Viejo, where we sampled an extensive menu of traditional Mexican dishes.  Then a pleasant stroll back to the plaza where we reboarded our bus and made a scenic return to the Lutheran Center.

There, we gathered for what turned out to be a challenging, yet inspiring worship.  Matthew 25 and the Parable of the Sower were read along with 2 readings, one by Archbishop Romero.  Romero said "The Kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is also beyond our vision."  But, he said we should not be discouraged, but to do what we can, planting the seed, laying a foundation, leaving it to others, and finally to God for the results.  We are not Messiahs.  Erin said the farmer of the parable was not a particularly good farmer, throwing seed all over the place, and that maybe we should do the same; letting our message go, too, to places where we may not expect results.

Next, Kim Erno spoke to us about immigration and trade and explained Operation Gatekeeper.  He explained that NAFTA has actually increased immigration: the pre-NAFTA peak was 250,000, post-NAFTA 500,000!  He explained how under NAFTA more women and children are involved in immigration.  He spoke of NAFTA's role in allowing Cargill to dump corn at below production price into Mexico and at the same time buy-up domestic Mexican corn and actually drive up the price of tortillas (while driving two million small farmers out of business).  Seeing the larger picture of systemic, seemingly endless greed and immorality, and feeling the overwhelming complexity of it all, many of us certainly felt fired up (and yes, angry).

After another wonderful dinner, we returned for a role-play session on immigration.  We all assumed roles in a fictional church council being presented with a resolution to participate in the New Sanctuary Movement.  Everyone's creativity and "great"acting skills resulted in a lively 30 minutes and insight into the controversial and complex nature of the issues we are dealing with.

We concluded the evening with Luke sharing stories from his "ministry of accompaniment" along the Arizona/Mexico border.  The powerful, heart-wrenching stories led us all to realize the intensely human and personal costs resulting from NAFTA and from American immigration policies.  They also showed us faith in action as Luke and his colleagues literally lived out Matthew 25, which we had heard during worship.  WHAT A DAY!

 

Monday, February 1 - Last day at the Lutheran Center, Mexico City

by Gary

Today was a national holiday.  No school. No work.  The holiday is in honor of the signing of the new Constitution of Mexico in 1910.

We learned yesterday that the Constitution brought major land reform, creating ejidos from the large haciendas of the wealthy landowners, and communal land status where title was held by the whole and not individuals.

We learned today that those reforms never reached the southern state of Chiapas, where large landowners continued to treat indigenous and mestizos as serfs.  In the mountains, communal land titles were not extended.

Since the 1980s, indigenous peoples of Chiapas highlands had pressed the government to recognize their rights, their demands for inclusion in decision-making.  To no avail.

In 1992, in preparation for NAFTA, Mexico's government changed Article 27 of the 1910 Constitution to allow for communal land to be privatized to those who lived there, allowing individual residents on these lands to secure individual titles and sell it to buyers outside of the communal owners.

Indigenous peoples realized that ancestral lands could be taken from them through pressured deals and swindles and began to organize resistance.

That resistance exploded on to the scene on January 1, 2010, when the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) went into effect, becoming treaty law.

Today we learned of "Zapatismo" indigenous uprising in Chiapas to reject NAFTA and assert local indigenous authority over their territories, their name taken for Emilio Zapata, one of the revolutionary heroes that helped enshrine land reform in the 1910 Constitution.  Zapatismo had these demands outlined in its First Declaration (easily found on the internet).  They are: "Work. Land.  Housing.  Food, health, independence, liberty, democracy, justice and peace."  Personally, these sound like they might have lifted these ideas from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, since these are all there.  But no, it came from their 1,000 year experience as indigenous people in a land invaded by a powerful economic colonial power; a reality that continues to this day.

We learned that the Mexican Government, after an initial unsuccessful effort to suppress the Zapatista indigenous uprising began negotiations,  which ended up with the San Andres Accords, signed in 1996.  However, the accords went unfulfilled.  Even as they negotiated, the Mexican Government sent thousands of additional troops into Chiapas, harassing the indigenous populations in resistance, and training paramilitaries.

In 1997, 60+ displaced indigenous civilians and resident indigenous were murdered by paramilitaries in Acteal as they took refuge in a church.  The state had been warned by human rights groups that this operation was underway, but did nothing.  Most of those killed were women, children, and old people.

With this, the Zapatistas realized that the government had no intention or willingness to fulfill the San Andres Accords, so they began implementing them on their side as promised, unilaterally, based upon the concept of autonomy.  They set up the autonomous government of "Caracoles," a collection of small settlements, which formed a representative administrative council.  Set up their own education and health promoters that operated in each community, made up of the people themselves.  They no longer traveled to distant towns for school and health care. 

In 2005, Zapatistas issued their 6th Declaration, which we read out loud to one another.  Again, it's easily found online.

In 2006, the Zapatistas joined with other social movements in creating "The Other Campaign," an alternative to the campaigns of the existing political parties taking place in preparation for the 2006 Presidential elections.  Zapatistas traveled in a caravan to different states to meet and unify solidarity with other social movements.  The goal was to invite more actors into the vision of the 6th Declaration, inviting others to join.

The indigenous framework and cosmology proposed a new way of looking at the world.  A different world view than seeking the exploitation of resources envisioned by those who created NAFTA to carry it out.  It demanded local control rather than foreign control of territorial resources on ancestral lands.

We discussed how completely different Western values are from indigenous values.  Entirely different conception of what a full and meaningful life consists of.  Ever expanding consumption, advanced medical technology, cars and high speed rail versus living with nature, non-acquisitive lives, natural medicines.  A film we watched was "Zapatista," by Medin Boutique Productions.  The most recommended book is Rebellion in Chiapas: A Historical Reader.

In the afternoon, we heard the testimony by Martha Perez from The People's Front in Defense of Land (FPDT) about the history and struggle of San Salvador Atenco.  We learned how indigenous people who had lived and cultivated lands since before the Spanish Conquest resisted through non-violent action the imposition of a proposed new international airport on these lands and what would mean the displacement of all 40,000 residents in the string of towns within the airport expropriation zone.  (This expropriation not only includes land for the airport, but land for hotels, commercials centers, office buildings, and an industrial zone - all private enterprises).  This successful non-violent resistance, which included an appeal to the Pope on his visit to Mexico, brought violent repression from the Mexican State: beatings, arbitrary arrest of 700 men, women, and children, with several civilian deaths, a 13-year-old boy and a university student among them.  The women who were captured were raped by the police as they were taken to jail.  Four of them were internationals (one from Germany, two from Spain, and one from Chile) who had been serving as human rights monitors.  They brought international legal action against Mexico.  Four years later, nine young men are being detained near Atenco in prison and three are in maximum security prison in Toluca.  They continue an international campaign for their release as made public at www.atencolibertadyjusticia.com.

I, for one, deeply admire their organizing creativity, tenacity, commitment to non-violence, and outreach to other social movements for solidarity and offering solidarity of both Zapatismo and the Atenco communities.  (Creativity: they decided immediately to adopt symbols to brand their struggle: the sombrero hat, the scarf worn by their ancestors in the field, the machete used to cultivate the soil.) 

I am also drawn to the cosmo-vision of indigenous peoples expressed in the Atenco and Zapatista struggle, which offers an alternative to the race to deplete global resources for overconsumption of the affluent, first-world nations and their followers.

 

Tuesday, February 2

by Pam

We're on our way out of Mexico City and on to Cuernavaca.  Just passed a Wal-Mart that said "Si se puede!" (Yes we can!) from Cesar Chavez.  I guess they figure if Obama could do it, so could they.

I have to say that the meals have been glorioso!  At lunch we had pollo stuffed with green beans in a green sauce, black beans of course, salad, tortillas, and apples in cream,

This morning we viewed a film about family farming and how farmers have a spiritual connection to the land; this allows them to sacrifice much to remain farming.  Film was called The Global Banquet which is a good intro. to the issues for congregations.  Things began to fall apart in 1980.  Most of us who were adults at the time know this was the start of the period of greed, which has only begun to be stemmed in the past two years. The campesinos were clear that the trade agreements which were sold by saying everyone will benefit, have failed.  The market does not respond to those without money.  They see that there must be local sovereignty: countries must design programs that fit their own needs.  The only positive from globalization is better communication.  The negatives are that profit is the only consideration and that only the big players survive.  The farmers get only a small percentage of the profits.  The middlemen get the bulk.  [Personal note: when products are shipped, they must be packaged.  In addition, they are treated for preservation.  Transportation, warehouses, and distribution costs are added too.]  The film feels there is already sufficient food production from small farms - correct distribution is the problem.

Two campesinos came to speak to us about their experiences.  Jaime Castillo Ulloa and Rogelio Alquisica Burgos from UNORCA.  26 of 32 Mexican states have joined Via Campesina.  Organizations like this can effect changes in policy.  V.C. promotes food sovereignty.  They said hunger is a result of poor distribution and access to basic goods.  Rogelio said big policy changes began in 1992.  Many government organizations were privatized, and, therefore, more fees were charged.  Ejido land was begun to be sold.  The WTO and Mexican government say that policies ensure food security.  Goods come in from the international market regardless of the farmers' ability to produce their own food.  He feels farmers should decide which foods to produce - healthy foods and foods that respect the culture.  They oppose pesticides and additives that help preserve shelf life.  There is no protection from foreign products that are cheaper but may contain undesirable additives and containments.  Transnationals control foods and seeds.  They patent high-quality seeds the campesinos have developed.  Jaime recommended city people develop cooperatives to purchase high quality foods from small farmers.

The CCIDD is a lovely place.  We met the staff and took a tour of the city center.  After dinner we learned about social analysis for making decisions.  Tomorrow we will hit the road and meet the people in their place. 

The task of making changes in the existing system seems overwhelming to most of us right now.  Hopefully, the rest of the week will assist us in planning a form of action.

 

Wednesday, February 3

by Melody

Incredibly hard to believe we've only been in Cuernavaca a day and a half; this experience has been so amazingly rich, every day feels like a week - but in a good way.  Including, I suppose, the current experience of losing the electricity as I'm trying to write this at almost 11:00 p.m. - probably something to do with all the rain we're having here - during the dry season.  It's been raining pretty much since we arrived in Mexico.

Today we went to Cuentepec, an indigenous pueblo about an hour's drive away.  We met with several women who have formed a women's cooperative to learn and produce crafts, improve their village, and practice sustainable and organic farming.  They were organized by Maria Luisa, a woman who returned after earning her master's degree to work with indigenous women.  They have four goals:

§                 Form women as community leaders under shared leadership

§                 Collaborate to reduce environmental problems

§                 Practice solidarity economics

§                 Work for gender equality

The community of about 3500 people is situated on a hillside, high above the river that was the main water supply.   Through the women's efforts, 10 cisterns have been built in the community, which hold water to carry them through the dry season.  They showed us how they filter grey water through a system of watering papyrus, then other plants.
They talked extensively about how they grow corn and beans, what it takes to get to their fields (2 hours by horse, 30 min. by bus, but they have to climb barbed wire and stone fences).  Maria, one of our hosts, explained that the government is encouraging people to use fertilizer with herbicides; it makes crops grow faster and reduces weeding.  Maria doesn't use it; it eliminates the plants she relies on to produce brooms, and some other food sources.  Plus, it's not healthy for the kids, and burns out the fields - some of which they are already experiencing.  The women's cooperative also applied for, and received, a grant to learn and implement organic farming techniques - they're working on improving this.

The space we gathered to hear all this was outside the house, under a tarp (rain!), next to the kitchen, which consisted of a fire pit with cooking shelf, shielded by a wall of corn stalks.  The women invited us to make tortillas - yeah, we're not so good at it, but lots of folks had lots of fun trying!  Felipa would jump up to let one of us take her seat and was incredibly gracious with the general Anglo tortilla-making ineptitude.

They served us lunch of a spicy soup with eggs, chilies, beans, and a bean from a tree that is local.  We were to use the tortillas to scoop/eat the soup - but they took pity on us and brought out spoons.  They also served delicious sopas with cream and cheese, and a wonderful salsa (very mild).  Lunch was wonderful, and we thoroughly enjoyed the food and the fellowship.  After, we met several artisans who described how they learned their trades (sewing, embroidery, pottery) in workshops, and we were able to buy things if we liked.

The morning was a great experience, and a real eye-opener for us, I think.  There was a great contrast between the beauty of the setting and the reality of garbage strewn down the side of the ravine, the power of the communal life and identity and the challenges they face.  In so many ways we're worlds apart, yet I felt very much welcomed as a friend, sister, and co-conspirator - in the literal meaning of the word - sharing breath and spirit.

In the afternoon we returned to Cuernavaca, and met with several more artisans from a co-op here.  Again, we heard a little of their stories and were welcomed to purchase items.  They ranged from tablecloths to stoles to jewelry to baskets - each family had a story about how they learned and produced their goods.  Incredibly beautiful stuff - it felt good to really know how we're supporting people we know something about.  Good debriefing tonight - this is a great group of people, with diverse experiences and lenses through which we see things, but shared common respect and a love for what God has to teach us here.

 

Thursday, February 4 - morning

by Ensign Leininger 

We awoke to a steady rain which continued all day.  Usually this is a dry season. The newspaper has a headline about the heavy rains and even the snow which fell in the mountains of northern Mexico.

After an early breakfast (7:30) we drove in 2 vans to Amatlan, a trip of 1.5 hours through rugged hills and crowded towns.  Sister Kathy and Maggie were our excellent drivers.

We arrived at the home of Don Aurelio Ramirez.  It is a substantial adobe house with tile roof, and a porch large enough for us to sit in the usual plastic chairs.  Marcia introduced the group and gave Don Aurelio the pages listing our names. Don Aurelio is a stocky man with a full mustache and pleasant expression, and a confident air.  In answer to many questions he said that he built the house 35 years ago, he has 4 children who live nearby.  He has 16 acres of land on which he plants corn.  His place is surrounded by high mountains.

He said he is a shaman recognized by the people as a leader and healer and religious teacher.  He said that around the age of 8 or 9 lightning struck him and the people respect him and his spiritual leadership.  He leads prayers for rain when there is draught.  The religious life is celebrated at each new moon, and all the seasons of spring, summer, fall, winter and March 21, June 21, September 21 and December 21.  They are aware of God all around them in the hills, the plants, living creatures, the sun, clouds and rain,  God is the source and creator, and they do not fear him but are always grateful.  They think of the cross as a pattern of life with equidistant arms, starting in the east where there are tall mountain peeks, then to the south where there are more tall hills, then west and north.  The east is represented by yellow, the south by black, the west by red and the north by white.  We get cosmic energy by being in touch with the earth.  We progress by a cycle of life, are purified and proceed thru 13 steps until we reach life which is eternal and blessed.  He holds ceremonies for couples - especially the childless or who want to have children, to the mountains to the east.  The mountain to the east has a natural window which is a source of contact with the (spiritual) energy.  There are triangles of spiritual energy especially Amatlan, Machu Picchu, and Egypt.  We were unable to have a spiritual ceremony because the porch was too crowded.

The Catholic Church and its practices were forced upon us as indigenous people with many rules and requirements, enforced with a fear of hell.  They brought oppression and destruction so we are wary of that, although we go along with them. Catholicism seems commercial, with payments required for baptisms and other services, Don Aurelio said.  They have a fiesta day for St. Mary Magdalena.  We had the companionship of a cat and two dogs.  Wayne Greenway from Canada and Isabel were with us.  Jenna and Pat were interpreters.

 

Thursday, February 4 - afternoon/evening

by David

After a late lunch, after returning in heavy rain, we had free time to write or rest.  Some of us went to the Museum of Mexican History and saw Diego Rivera murals.

At 5 p.m. we hosted Jaime Faines of Centro Antonio Montesinos (CAM), a human rights and development center.  Jaime is a lay person, married, and father of an 18-year-old daughter.  He is a theologian and his topic for us was "Theology, Trade, and the Role of the Church in Mexico."  

He came with a major critique of NAFTA, with information familiar in many respects, but we learned more and more with each exposure to this very difficult free trade agreement.  He emphasized the major imbalance for Mexico - importing 4 times their exports to the detriment of the Mexican economy.  NAFTA was signed 1-1994 by President Carlos Salinas with high expectations, but they have not been realized for the Mexican people.  The environmental impact has been severe with contaminated rivers and forests.  Only 7 of 100 articles in 22 chapters considered the environmental impact.  He also mentioned patent laws, as other have, resulting in exploitation, especially in corn.

A significant discussion followed on subsidies, which Mexico has dropped, but U.S. and Canada have continued with the result of "dumping" of cheap corn on Mexico and low prices which force famers off the fields to urban areas and often in illegal migration to U.S. in search of jobs.  We asked about why Mexico does not stand up for their rights to enforce the NAFTA provisions by all parties on subsidies, but Mexico has simply complied without protest of the inequality. In response to a question Jaime did see Mexico requesting renegotiation of NAFTA, though there is strong debate in congress and society.  It was past time for theology after a final comment that Mexico is paradise for big business!

Theology

What is the commitment of Christian Churches?  We need a new paradigm in the struggle for transformation.  NAFTA is a classic example of unjust international relationships so we need to move in a different direction.

Individualism to Collectivism.  Competition to Interdependent and Complementary. Exclusion to Solidarity and Radical Inclusion.  Cultural Injustice to Equality.  Destruction to Respect and Caring of all creation.  Unlimited desires to meeting fundamental needs.

The promise of the church is to return to the ethic of Christ, where Christ put human needs first before law-church-state-institutional. Our question always must be "How are the poor doing?" Our challenge is to move together toward an alternative society working with coalitions in relationship for our common goals. He spoke of an Alliance for Responsible Trade (U.S., Mexico, Latin America) and spoke of two U.S. groups with positive work: Center of Concern (Washington, DC) (http://www.coc.org/) and Church World Service (http://www.churchworldservice.org/).

We then engaged in spiritual discussion about the role of the Catholic Church in Mexico and then admission that there has been no formal statement requesting change in free trade even though so many Mexicans are adversely affected. The Mexican church is like the American church with too much emphasis or moral matters and not enough on justice issues! The challenge is before all of us!

TRADE ACT - Our evening began with Marcia's reading of the provocative story of Ahab, Jezebel, and Naboth from 1 Kings 21 and the issue of demand in the land of Ancestors which wouldn't be given, resolution in the assessment of Naboth, the intervention of Elijah and the concluding Mt. 27:24 of Pilate washing his hands of responsibility!

Gary and Erin led us through the TRADE Act before Congress: S.R. 2821 and H.R. 3012. It's a complicated bill that resulted in serious conversation about our individual and corporate roles and responsibilities in support of US governmental legislation. This clearly is not a simple decision. The TRADE Act, a 44-page document already in both U.S. chambers, calls for re-examination of existing, and consideration for future, free trade agreements based on nine (9) benchmarks which were introduced and explained to us.

Labor Rights - to follow International Labor Organization (ILO) guidelines, including environmental standards

Human Rights - using Universal Declaration of Human Rights (U.N. - 1948)

Food Safety - standards enforced across borders

Investment - government right to approve or deny movement of investments in and out of its country

Procurement - government rights to select provider, not requiring lowest bidder

Intellectual Property - dealing with patents and generic medicines

Services - allows government not to require privatization

Agricultural - stable markets - no "dumping" below cost.  farm workers - fair remuneration.

There is nothing simple about Trade!

 

Friday, February 5

by Nancy

In the morning, the CCIDD staff sent us out on "Cuernavaca Quest," an exercise that they do with every group, usually on their first day at the center.  Ensign, Erin, Dave, and I set out first for the Mega supermarket, to check prices on our assigned items, a kilo each of tomatoes, green tomatoes, onions, carrots and beans.  We had 55 pesos to spend, and checking the prices in the Target look-alike, we knew it would be close.  

Next, we taxied to the People's Market, a sprawling complex of booths, both indoors and out, whose owners sell every imaginable grocery item.  The market was packed with people, both workers unloading and stocking and weighing, and customers moving from booth to booth, shopping and eating food from the many cooked food vendors selling in the aisles and corners.  We bought all of our food at the market, spending exactly 55 pesos for our assigned basket.

In the afternoon, we visited La Estación, the ruins of an abandoned train station that covers several acres in central Cuernavaca, near the People's Market.  Kathy brought us first to the community center, housed in two large rooms along a central road.  The director described the programs that the center offers, mostly preschool for young children and recreational programs for elementary-aged children.  The programming is dependent on volunteer staffing, mostly from CCIDD program participants.  Looking up from our small chairs in the main room, we could see that the prefab asbestos roofing had many holes.  The director said that she was looking forward to a new building scheduled for construction in July.  Outside in the small courtyard, women gathered display embroidery for sale. 

We visited Teodora at her home.  Her teenage daughter, Pilar, was with her, as well as one of her granddaughters, Carla, who is eight.  Teodora has lived for 21 years in La Estación, and has seven children.  Soon after we arrived, Teodora's twin sister, Carmen, stopped by.  She lives in another section of La Estación, as do all of their other siblings. 

The family has always lived in a one-room brick structure.  Now, that room has two double beds and a small television, and is just used for sleeping and relaxing.  Over the years, the family has added three walls and a poured concrete floor to the kitchen area outside the house's door.  It had a cardboard roof until CCIDD helped the family replace it with metal sheeting last year.  It had rained hard the day before, and Teodora mentioned how grateful she is that she now has a leak-proof roof.  She and Amy talked about the plans that she and CCIDD are making to repair a large crack in one of the brick walls of the house that is threatening the whole structure.

The kitchen has both a fridge and a stove.  Like most homes in the area, Teodora runs wires to the main electrical lines nearest here to tap free electricity.  She does not have a sink or a pila, a large stone cistern and sink, but she does have access to water most of the time through a hose.  She shares her water pump with eighteen other households; her share of the bill is 180 pesos every two months.  She owns a few helpful household items like a sewing machine, a blender and an iron.  The family has a small outhouse just outside the kitchen area.

Carla brought over her pet pigeon to show us.  He hops on one leg, which might mean that he had a broken leg at one time.  He fluttered from table to shelf, and seemed to enjoy Carla's attention.  Carla also showed us the book she was reading, a very nice paperback collection of children's fairy tales.  She was reading "Hansel and Gretel," in Spanish.

Teodora and her family are quite observant Catholics.  They go to Mass at least once a week, at several different churches, including the one near the community center.  Kathy told us that she and the staff had made several attempts to discover what the ministry of the church to the neighborhood might be like; it seems to be limited to Mass on Sundays and days of obligation.

After we left Teodora and her family, Jenna told us that her husband lives in Chicago now, with another woman with whom he has children, a common reality for many woman who live in La Estación,

 

Saturday, February 6

by Marcia

Sister Kathy led contemplation prayer service again and it is a lovely communal way to start the day! We observe silence for about twelve minutes each time and it is a special setting.

After breakfast the group met with Macario Pocep. We had met him previously when the United Artisans Co-op was here. Macario explained how he fled to Mexico in the early 80's when his name appeared on the black list of his government. He has found fulfilling work here as an artisan and he sells his goods at CCIDD and the language schools in Cuernavaca. This business has grown, but he maintains he is just trying to keep a roof over his family's head. The group seemed to admire his work ethic and definitely admired his work. Beautiful.

Next, some walked and some rode to a botanical garden in Cuernavaca. Sister Kathy tells us that not even the locals know about it. A gorgeous space on a gorgeous sunny day. We were encouraged to peruse the garden in silence and were given a version of the beatitudes to reflect upon. The group came together once more and shared. This was to be our last "official" reflection time and though it's a challenge to summarize all going through our heads, the reflections shared acknowledged the beauty and pain of Mexico.

Those that walked back were walking mostly uphill, and, personally, I have never been so pleased to find limonada to drink like I was today!

After lunch most of us were greeted by CCIDD founder Ray Plankey in la palapa. Ray was a papal volunteer, originally to Chile, following the Bay of Pigs defeat that frightened the U.S. government and church to think "something needed to be done" about Latin America. Immediately upon arrival, it seems, Ray observed that the missionaries had more to learn than teach. After the military coup, which assassinated President Allende, Ray knew Chile was too dangerous for him and his family. During the coup he was on "home leave" in Vermont. Eventually he and his wife set up in Cuernavaca where CCIDD was founded and operated at two other locations before coming to the current location on Leyva. Ray's views are not necessarily reflected in U.S. history books. His story of abandoning his rocket scientist career for the people of Latin America and his church was engaging and inspiring.

At this point we were drained. After a brief siesta we rallied together to shout out highlights from each session and outing of the past nine days. Then we broke into groups to practice social analysis. The topics/issues that were chosen/worked were the following:

1.                undocumented immigration to the US

2.                women's organizing

3.                the role of the church in economic strife

4.                looking back or forward in developing improved trade legislation - evaluating vision

This tool did not require us to solve anything today (thank goodness!) but rather to practice using the tool.

Next our group worked on our action plan. For today we focused on PowerPoint content and synod-related activities. Perhaps at a later date (20 Feb) additional tactics will be discussed. I know there are ideas out there, and my hope is that we support each other in many endeavors.

Worship followed. It was beautiful. We worshipped with CCIDD staff and heard readings from the ELCA lectionary, plus heard the story of La Virgen de Guadalupe. We lit several candles to pray for specific individuals we had met in Mexico. The Eucharist followed; Melody and Nancy presided. Our service concluded with a "sending" done by the women of CCIDD, which included a blessing, clay necklace, and hug.

A festive dinner followed. Divine quesadillas nourished us and the Spirit filled our hearts.

 

Sunday morning, February 7

by Pat

I had a hard time sleeping last night after our wonderful celebration. The time has been so filled with sights, sounds, and information that it was hard to close it down.

It didn't take long to finish packing and head across the street for breakfast. The smell of cinnamon greeted us. Seeing Sister Kathy was reassuring and sad at the same time. She has been such an inspiration and blessing. Her calm, sensitive demeanor inspires me to emulate her. Maggie was her usual cheerful self. She too is inspiring. She could be my granddaughter. Saying goodbye to CCIDD was hard. Truly God was/is present there. God has to be smiling by the great work that is being done there.

Maggie, Sister Kathy, and Wayne all united at the gate until the bus pulled away. Tears filled my eyes as I waved a final goodbye. I have been in the presence of angels these past few days, and I thank God for the opportunity given me. I look forward to what the future holds.