After facing gangs, police, hunger,
and despair, the residents of Oaxaca and Veracruz bring some much needed joy
and hope to the migrants traveling atop the trains. The people by the railroads
here, although impoverished themselves, run alongside the passing trains and
throw up food and packages to the thankful migrants. Even though some residents
barely have enough to feed their own families, they give. Some of these givers
describe their actions: “’If I have one tortilla, I give half away,’ one of the
food throwers says. ‘I know God will bring me more.’ Another: ‘I don’t like to
feel that I have eaten and they haven’t’” (Nazario 105). These gifts of food,
water, clothes, and other necessities are so important to migrants like Enrique.
Besides providing supplies needed for survival on top of the trains, the
packages give the migrants hope for the future.
Initially, I found it hard to believe
that the residents here along the tracks could give so willingly even though
they barely had enough for themselves. After thinking about it, I realized that
giving was helping them as well as the migrants. This summer I went on a
mission trip where we helped improve homes for families. In my group we built a
set of stairs, and even though we were only teenagers doing what we could, the family
there was so grateful for our work and effort. I realized that this gratefulness
was helping me too by making me feel valuable, and lifting my spirits. This
must have been a little piece of what the food throwers feel when they give to
the overjoyed migrants. It is a morale booster for the givers, and helps bring
the community together. After experiencing that feeling of worth from giving or
helping, it is hard not to want to do it again! Like the givers, have you even
done something for someone that ended up helping you too?
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ReplyDeleteI have also experienced this feeling of "receiving through giving" this summer through volunteering to tutor underprivileged children at Edgehill United Methodist Church. It was rewarding whenever a student of mine would correctly answer a math problem or pronounce a word right, yet it was even more fulfilling to know that I was making a difference in these children's education and future. I also feel that this is a prevalent issue in our community and nation. We all have so much to give in such a variety of ways; time, money, or support; yet I often feel that I get so caught up in my own life that I forget about other people who are struggling to fulfill their basic needs. Like Grace Anne mentioned, giving such simple gifts like food, water, or clothes symbolizes the even greater gift of freedom and hope.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great thought, Grace Ann! I totally understand where you are coming from because I too have felt the same feeling. This past summer i went on my first mission trip! It was extremely scary for me because I only knew one person there, and she wasn't even in my work group. The second night I was there I got sick. I kept thinking to myself I wish this trip was over, but two days later I began to feel better. I had to push those negative thoughts out of my head, and focus on the real reason why I was on this trip: to help others. After that, I made new friends, and really ended up making a difference. This experience changed me because not only did I realize how blessed I am, but it helped me see that if you face your fear than great things will come from it.
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