Dan:
I had a very interesting experience last night. There were a couple of us sitting at one of the dining room tables at around 9 PM, when Padre Luis (the priest who heads the Casa del Migrante) walked in and said that he was about to drive to the border and see if there were any migrants recently deported to pick up. However, if any of us were to go, we had to leave right then, so Oksana and I volunteered to go with Padre. He drove us to the Mexican governmental facilities at the border. There was no one there when we got there, so Padre showed us what the Casa does there. They have a refrigerator there full of bread, mayonnaise and bologna for sandwiches, because quite often deportees have not eaten for 24 hours or more. They also have water and coffee available, and Ritz crackers and various other snack foods. People can be deported any time day or night, and the average is about 500 a day at Tijuana. In fact, Padre said that around 280 had been deported since 2 PM. He took us out to see the exact point where deportations take place. The place looks like an open-air pen or a holding cell. There is trash strewn around the dirt floor and the faint smell of urine. The cell's door is literally right on the border. We couldn't stay there long because the Mexican officials don't like people standing there, so we went back inside. As soon as we stepped inside, Padre Luis was called back because the American officials had just brought in people to be deported. We followed him back out to the cell and watched as the American border officials spoke briefly to the Mexican ones, and then they began to let the people out over the border. There were about 25 of them, all men except one. The first thing that happened was an interview of each migrant with the Mexican officials to determine if the person is a Mexican citizen, if not, they are sent back. Then Padre invited them over for a sandwich and a coffee. Padre made the sandwiches while I handed out the coffee and Oksana followed with cream and sugar. The people all looked exhausted. In conversation, we found out that this particular group had been caught crossing the border the previous evening. They had been walking for about 12 hours in freezing weather in the mountains east of Tijuana/San Diego, and then spent another 12 hours in custody. Padre handed each migrant a flyer explaining the purpose of the Casa del Migrante. Most had contacts in Tijuana that they were going to go with, but several chose to come to the Casa, so we all got in the van and returned. Very few times have I had the opportunity to serve the poor as directly as Oksana and I did when we were serving the coffee. This is one of those experiences that I will never forget, and I will be praying and reflecting with it for a long time.

Quintella- My experience with this trip has been very exciting. I have learned a significant amount of knowledge about the Mexican people and the lives that they expereience daily. I also have learned to not take the things that I have for granted because there is always someone else who is going through a worse situation. I love being here and will be very excited to come next year. Thank you:)

Dave- it's wednesday. we've been here for 4 days now. i love quintella. and shawntay. they are great. i only said that because they were right behind me at the moment. seriously though, the trip is going great. we spent sunday just hanging around the house, went grocery shopping, played some cards and got to know each other. Monday and tuesday we spent roaming around the city, went to the museum, visited a boys orphanage and got schooled once again in soccer. Today we drywalled and heard Patti's amazing story on how she started the daycare/hair salon/bakery - amazing woman. Everyone has been spending time with the migrants at dinner and we've learned a great deal about what these people go through in an attempt to better their lives. The group is great, we have some characters. we're all enjoying this experience together. i'm looking forward to the next few days. we will be sure to update. take care.

Shawntay- Oh my Goodness...I am learning so much and experiencing so much. Today we went to build or help build a family house. It was wonderful. It felt as if I was making a difference or change in someone's life, it was beautiful. I had tears in my eyes. And I am still emotional about it. I am enjoying this mission. I feel that we are truly on a mission for God. And when we leave here, we will remember the people, their stories, and lives. Besides the rooster that I am on a mission to kill..I am having a blast!! I am enjoying the people that I am here with. Dave is sooooo cooL!!! He knows how to do cool voices and makes me laugh so hard that I have to go to the bathroom. Aaron is crazy as well. He talks about people in a good but funny way.LOL. Erik is Old.LOLOLOL...he's the best though. The girls is my Girls!!!! Dan is the man!!!!Oh yeah...(smile) I'm having a blast and a life changing experience. Signing off...Shawntay!!

Aaron- oh my gosh!!! ;) this is soooo amazingly awesome, yeah like totally not even kidding. Today, we went and did some drywall work. We did the ceilings (the hardest part) and just have to finish the walls. Big 2two's have become a staple card game in our entertainment. The Canadians are, as usual, very friendly and cool to hang around. OH and Dave and I have them thinking that we are telepathic because of this clever card trick. We have met Andrès, our guide for the past few days. He's cool, but he's no Hector... Oh speaking of Hector, he made me feel stupid because I couldn't repeat the same 3 phrases in Italian like he could, but oh well. I'm looking forward to seeing the Avenue de Révolucion on friday and all the nigthlife it has to offer. Seacrest out...of cereal...going to store now...