billiegreenwood's TravelStream™ — Recent TravelPod.com entries TravelStream™ news feed for member billiegreenwood on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/billiegreenwood en-us Copyright ©2012 TravelPod.com Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:29:40 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com The Union Depot in El Paso, TX — El Paso, TX http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1317158244/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1317158244/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1317158244/tpod.html Wed, 28 Sep 2011 02:29:40 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
El Paso, TX

The area around Union Depot is becoming quite the urban nite hotspot with new upscale bars and restaurants.

That is not my scene, but I really love the architecture of the building!

I'm even very tempted to try taking the train.

]]> El Paso's Sun Bowl Parade=Travel destination — El Paso, TX http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1290698789/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1290698789/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1290698789/tpod.html Thu, 08 Sep 2011 00:38:57 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
El Paso, TX

{EAV_BLOG_VER:949e2bea04dcac3b} The crowd lines a three mile parade route in El Paso on Thanksgiving morning; indeed, organizers of the annual Sun Bowl Parade prepare annually for 300,000 spectators.

It was a holiday tradition with a Southwest twist, with some surprises for strangers, while showcasing the best of El Paso.The City of El Paso was actually this year's Grand Marshal. The best of the city and the surrounding is represented every year in the parade that draws folks from across the region to kick off the holiday season.

Patriots applauded representatives from El Paso's Fort Bliss, the US Border Patrol and the Junior ROTC units. Civic organizations, local politicians, the city's leading employers proudly claimed their spot in the parade line up of over 100 units.Mounted horses, horse brigades, and more horses drawing wagons and stagecoaches made it uniquely Southwestern.

On a related note, the parade roster was punctuated with occasional duos of the city's street-cleaning vehicles. Additionally, small bands of folk, armed with shovels and trailing a trash barrel, followed up each horse-related entry. As they hastily performed their duties, they drew "Ewews" of fake disgust from the crowd who watched every motion they made (see photos).

My Midwestern eyes noticed the preponderance of Latina queens, the cowboy themes, the chicherones sold by vendors strolling the parade route, and the inflatable plastic toys the parents were buying for their kids from other wandering vendors. The parade spectators surrounding me were chatting with one another in Spanish more than in English. I knew I wasn't in Iowa anymore.

Sports teams were well-represented also. A University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) team rode on a float. Although their football stadium is called the Sun Bowl and they host an annual football bowl game called the Sun Bowl, I learned that this parade is a separate function. However, the Sun Bowl Association's schedule of events for December, listed in the souvenir parade program, includes the annual Sun Bowl Game at noon on December 31.

Check out the images for more details of this popular event. It is a slide show of Southwestern color!
]]> Our Lady of Refuge — Eagle Pass, TX http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166988960/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166988960/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166988960/tpod.html Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:35:46 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
Eagle Pass, TX


Paul & I were interested to meet Fr. Jim, who gained some fame for his defiant, pro-immigrant stance. He shared frankly and freely with us about life in Eagle Pass. "The stream of illegal immigrants has dried up here, " he told us. "It's not even a trickle...more like a drop." When they came, he housed and fed them...did whatever needed to be done.
Why the change? See the following ABC World News story. And underneath it is a cut from the Dallas Morning News explaining the crucifix displayed in Our Lady of Refuge Church. Read on!



from ABC World News: May 2, 2006 - Border patrol agents in Eagle Pass, Texas, had been frustrated for years, because hundreds of illegal immigrants a day would pour across the border, taking advantage of a loophole to get into the United States.

Border patrol agent Martin Clark said it astounded him.

"There were no unhappy faces ... everyone was trying to get caught," Clark said. "People were running toward us, not away from us."

The problem was simple: The border patrol station in Eagle Pass has no jail space to hold illegal immigrants. That didn't matter when illegal immigrants from Mexico were caught, because they could be processed and then just bused back across the border.

But the procedure to return people from El Salvador or Nicaragua or Brazil is more complicated, so all that a border patrol agent could do was elicit a promise from them to return for a court date for a formal deportation hearing, which meant they were free to go, and rarely did they show up for ourt dates. The loophole was dubbed "catch and release," and it frustrated many border patrol agents.

"There was a five-mile area specifically where these OTM's, 'other than Mexicans,' were flooding in," Commissioner for Customs and Border Patrol David Aguilar said. "Their perception was that they could be apprehended by the U.S. border patrol, and if there was a lack of detention space, we were obligated to release them on what is known as their own recognizance."

Their perception was reality until four months ago, when a dramatic "zero tolerance" crackdown called Operation Streamline began.

The border patrol has instituted a blanket policy of prosecuting in federal court anyone caught coming across the border. Detaining people for up to six months was initially expensive and overwhelmed the prisons and the courts. But now it is working.

"If the system can sustain the initial shock, the deterrent effect will come in and we will have less numbers and that is what we experience now," Clark said.

Since Operation Streamline went into effect, nearly 1,000 immigrants crossing illegally have been jailed. Once they appear before a federal magistrate they either are sentenced to jail or deported to their home country.

In the past four months, the number of illegal immigrants trying to cross in Eagle Pass has dropped by nearly 70 percent.

To Help or Not to Help?

There are dozens of monitors in the sophisticated control room of the border patrol office in Eagle Pass. Agents scan the monitors constantly looking for anyone trying to sneak across. There is almost nothing happening.

One agent pulls up to the processing center. He has found a group of 10 Mexicans trying to cross. Their clothes are tattered, some of them are carrying jugs of water, and they clearly don't have much. In Houston immigrants working as day laborers can earn $10 an hour, cash, no questions asked. But these immigrants will have to try again, because they will be shipped right back to Mexico.

Father James Loiacono does what he can to help. He is the pastor of Our Lady of Refuge Catholic Church, which is just four blocks away from the Rio Grande. He says people often knocked at his door lost, desperately hungry and thirsty. He said he has no choice but to help. Do the math, he said.

"I could go to jail for six years for giving a cup of water to a thirsty illegal immigrant, or I could rot in hell for eternity," he said.

But he has noticed a difference in the number of people showing up looking for help since the border patrol changed its policy.

"What is happening is the flow has really cut down tremendously. They really tightened the tap here," he said.

'Fence Ain't Going to Hold 'Em Back'

Albert Ellis is a rancher who lives on the border. He said he approved of zero tolerance, and believed it made more sense than building a wall along the border.

"Actually, some of the ranchers don't care much for the fence 'cause their cattle drink out of the Rio Grande," he said. "The fence ain't going to hold 'em [illegal immigrants] back, but that detention center will hold back some."

But others on the front lines said this zero tolerance policy and detention centers are too harsh.

"If we turn them away, it is not only what we do to these poor people, but it is what we do to ourselves intrinsically as human beings, we have harmed ourselves," Loiacono said.

-----------------------


Back at Our Lady of Refuge, Father Loiacono walks to a small chapel at the rear of the sanctuary where a life-sized statue of the crucified Jesus rests - his affirmation that he and the church have taken the right path.

Two years ago, Border Patrol agents found the statue snagged in the reeds along the bank of the Rio Grande. After no one claimed it, the image came to Our Lady of Refuge to stay.

"This is our Cristo indocumentado," Father Loiacono said. "People come for hundreds of miles to see it, the pray before it. No one knows where it came from...But it reminds us that Christ, too, is a refugee and that every stranger who comes to our door is a child of God."
]]> Lutheran Power — Eagle Pass, TX http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166149320/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166149320/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166149320/tpod.html Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:35:27 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
Eagle Pass, TX

Where I stayed
San Lucas Lutheran Church
(Eagle Pass hotels)


Pastor Hector and Myrna sheltered us in their church's apartment several days of our Eagle Pass stay. We felt connectedness to them--a sort of congruence that comes when you feel like you're on the same page with someone. Myrna treated us to many wonderful meals in her home, like one of the family.


While there we also met the advance team for an upcoming mission trip from Austin, TX Gethsemane Church. We enjoyed new friends Cal and Kent, and if we ever get into the work of heading up mission trips here, I'll keep them in mind for tips.
We all shared a great seafood meal at a Mexican restaruant.


At St. Lukes they run a little food pantry, and we assisted with the sorting and distribution of Christmas toys to the poor as well as helping with yardwork. They also have a sister church in Mexico called Christ the King which I'll write about in tomorrow's entry.


The border crossing here from MX back in to TX is a bit of an ordeal; we waited in line 30 minutes and the border guy ID'd Pastor Kent (maybe because he sports a beard?). Apparently the fed's cracked down on this crossing for being too loose, now they are making up for past transgressions. More on this later.
]]> Mexico won after all! — Eagle Pass, TX http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166753700/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166753700/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166753700/tpod.html Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:35:03 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
Eagle Pass, TX

Eagle Pass lies on the border, part of the territory that the U.S. robbed from Mexico some years back. But it is 95% Hispanic, Spanish is spoken everywhere--looks to me like Mexico has won the battle in the end by gradually and silently reassimilating it.

We fortunately connected here with one of the Catholic sisters who work day jobs to make money and spend all their free time helping the poor. Sr. Ursula invited us to live in her home where she houses volunteer groups and operates a food and clothing distribution center out of her garage. We enjoyed re-organizing the garage one day; it had been well-used by a food and Xmas gift donation caravan from San Antonio a few days earlier.

We landed in Eagle Pass in time for the big Mexican feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. I discovered the colorful Mexican tradition of marachini dancing. These kids are lined up for a performance :

Marta, a retired Mexican nurse in Piedras Negras (just across the river) received us in her home where she and Sr. Ursula plotted Christmas surprises for the neighborhood kids in the Mexican neighborhood. The poor come to Marta for medicine and medical help all the time. Check the thumbnail photos above to see Paul and Sr. Marta in action--as we brought items to donate to her. Also, don't miss the traditional Mexican Nativity scene photo! If you click on the thumbnail, you'll see an explanation written beneath the enlarged photo.
]]> Good luck! — San Antonio, TX http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1165441200/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1165441200/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1165441200/tpod.html Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:34:03 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
San Antonio, TX

Where I stayed
with Mark and Judy
(San Antonio hotels)


We breezed into San Antonio after a safe trip. Good luck continued when we stopped off at the Mexican American Cultural Center (where Paul studied back in the '80's) and made some immediate promising contacts.


These led us to Sky Cross and the heartening story of a newly retired couple like us who wanted to help the poor and stumbled into a great way to do it.

From there we connected with the Mission Awareness Office and a world of other contacts in Eagle Pass and Del Rio, TX. We'll be following up on them next week.
We enjoyed a friendly stop at Esperanza Peace & Justice, where they use the arts to engender pride in cultural heritage and address issues.

And, as a Presentation associate, I enjoyed our visit to the Presentation Ministry Center--a neighborhood drop-in place for women where Sisters Dina and Jocelyn welcome all with crafts, health and education.

Later in the week we stopped into the Oblate campus, spent some time visiting, and made a fortunate connection with a former pastor of Eagle Pass. Many of our encounters seem to be strokes of good luck, especially since we hardly ever have an appointment. People have taken time for us nevertheless. Everywhere, people encourage and welcome us.

Above all, we're grateful to our San Antonio hosts: Mark and Judy. They've shared their lovely home, their support and friendship with us with hospitality you could not surpass.
Thanks!!
]]> San Antonio zoo — San Antonio, TX http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1167578280/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1167578280/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1167578280/tpod.html Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:32:50 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
San Antonio, TX

Where I stayed
Mark & Judy's
(San Antonio hotels)


We enjoyed a visit to the San Antonio zoo. The animals were active, and the day was beautiful. I had fun with my camera, too.

No clock was necessary to know when the clock struck midnight in San Antonio: the night exploded with fireworks and firecrackers all around us. We enjoyed a champaign toast.

Happy 2007 to you all!!!
]]> One effective effort — Ciudad Acuña, Mexico http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166667960/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166667960/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166667960/tpod.html Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:31:34 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
Ciudad Acuña, Mexico

Margarita and Juan treated us to a great breakfast buffet in Mexico.

From there, we drove off with Margarita and their friend Miguel to spend several hours in a very unique rehabilitation facility for men in recovery from drug/alcohol addictions. Their interactions with the men were a great model for the two of us, who've often discussed how to most efffectively relate to this population. Miguel was direct in his questioning without being threatening or affronting. [When Margarita sang, I really enjoyed her voice.] They visit this facility regularly and spend hours conversing with the men each time. Over time (each man gets to stay for 3 months) a change takes place. When the guys leave the facility, the change is tested--for some it doesn't stick, others are permanently rehabilitated. Miguel's own personal history seems to help him know instinctively how to proceed in his regular visits. He'd likely say he was God-directed in his ministry.

Miguel then treated us to a great seafood buffet at one of his restaurants. (His "real job" is owning/managing a variety of businesses.) Paul and he dialogued extensively; they seemed mutually engaged. [This entire day tested my Spanish skills beyond their limits, unfortunately. So I'll just leave it at that.] I know both Paul and I respected him and appreciated his commitment and effectiveness.

Juan and Margarita took us to visit a shelter home for migrants in Acuna, run by their friend Carlos. We saw the dorm bedrooms where 40-50 beds were packed like sardines. Around Christmas they are not near full, but they'll get real busy Jan-June. Kids as well as women and men--many shelter residents are folks caught and returned by U.S. border officials.
]]> Cristo Rey — Piedras Negras, Mexico http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166754240/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166754240/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166754240/tpod.html Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:30:11 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
Piedras Negras, Mexico

Where I stayed
San Lucas Lutheran Church
(Piedras Negras hotels)


We found Cristo Rey
through my sister's congregation who travels from Iowa to provide volunteer service here. We saw the new church, the playground and the outbuilding for classes that volunteers gradually built on our first pass through. When we returned on Sunday afternoon, we saw it all in action. Worshipping with this tiny congregation of very poor people (live on $1/day) is a joy.


Ysidro and Marta, the lay couple who lead this group, were very busy during our Sunday visit, so we were grateful we had dinner and conversation with them at Hector and Myrta's earlier that day. Such dedication and commitment!


We stopped for some grocery shopping at the huge "Bodega" store in Piedras Negras before crossing the border. It was a warehouse-style store with groceries, electronics, clothing and everything inbetween. Lots of everything, including pre-Christmas shoppers!


The border crossing is always interesting to us. We got through faster this time, fortunately, though we still stalled idling in bridge traffic for 20+ minutes. Tomorrow's post will explain some of those dymanics.
]]> 3 orphanages and an asylum — Piedras Negras, Mexico http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166062680/tpod.html http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166062680/tpod.html#comment Travel Blogs http://blog.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/billiegreenwood/borderexplorer/1166062680/tpod.html Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:29:46 +0000 Border Explorer: one person's viewpoint on a hot-button area of the world
Piedras Negras, Mexico

Sr. Ursula let us accompany her on her Saturday afternoon visit of mercy to three orphanages and a home for physically and developmentally disabled in Mexico. She supplies these groups with food and connects potential donors with their needs.

Mexican Catholic sisters operated the first two orphanages. Bright and cheerful. Located in a poor neighborhood of Piedras Negras, one that flooded badly in the late '90's--the nuns hustled the kids to the roof until waters subsided. The kids get counseling (play therapy) and pitch in with the chores.
Some really sad cases arrive--terrible abuse, etc. The third orphange was Baptist-run, completely staffed by volunteers. We met the current volunteer couple: so loving that they actually adoped two of the 11 kids now on-site.


There we met a "powerful" guy from San Antonio. This ordinary fellow (whose name we never did get) decided to visit the orphanage and ask what each kid wanted for Xmas. He took the list to his church and filled their dream list with his church's help. These kids actually listed simple things like "underwear" and "coloring books" on their Xmas list top 3 dreams. How poor is that? Who says we can't make a difference in this world?



Our memorable moment was at the home for the disabled, run by a couple: the man was a rare & extraordinary person, joy and peace exuded from him. A "Jean Vanier," of a sort. He and his wife, who avoided the limelite, run this home as a retirement couple who are meeting a desperate need. As vets of Hope House, Paul & I were full of admiration for them since we know what it takes to run a shelter for "abled" people 24/7 and can only imagine what these two do, with very little assistance.

Volunteer groups from the States use Sr. Ursula's connections to help out in all these places.

We think Sr. Ursula uses funds very well. For charitable donations write checks payable to "Benedictine Sisters" & mail to: 1080 Vista Hermosa, Eagle Pass TX 78852. Indicate check memo line: "Caridad de Corizon" donation

--------------
To read the Xmas 06 newsletter from Sr. Ursula's Caridad de Corizon, continue on:

Greetings everyone from Caridad de Corazón.


We have had a great year and are very thankful to all our benefactors.


Sky Cross and Feed My Sheep (two organizations from San Antonio) continue to help us provide nonperishable food on a monthly basis to three orphanages, a disabled children's home and two soup kitchens.


Casa Bethesda: With the help of so many other individual benefactors the disabled children have moved to a brand new building. The children are having a great time during this blessed season as visitors are plentiful during Christmas.


Orfanatorio Nazareth: At the boys orphanage there are 10 boys ranging in age from 3 mo. to 12 years of age. They are so cute and growing like weeds. They go about doing their chores in anticipation of Christmas rewards. The new dorm area for guests is now complete. The sisters are waiting for volunteers who may want to construct closets or cabinets for this area.


There are currently 8 girls ranging in age from 5 to 12 years. They remain precious as ever. Stairs are being constructed in their home so that they will able to go down the stairs from the dorm into the dining area. Thanks to all who have made this possible. They are also working on a space to be used as a guest dorm and plan to put a bathroom in that area.


St. Judas and Holy Family: The two soup kitchens located in two different parishes are for children whose mothers are working and not able to be home when the children leave for school or arrive from school. The total amount of children served in these two kitchens is 70. Grandmothers volunteer to take turns cooking at the soup kitchen. We are able to provide them with some of the staples such as rice, beans, canned vegetables, fruits, tuna, potato flakes and other items as they become available thanks to our benefactors.


Casa Hogar Ninos de Piedras Negras: At the Baptist orphanage, there are 13 children ranging in age from 4 to 16 years of age. We are blessed each year with benefactors who send money to fill the butane gas tank which warms the place and keeps the water hot for bathing. This year we had to replace the freezer. To prevent having to pay a tariff, the freezer was purchased in Mexico. It cost approximately $600 or $6,480 pesos. With the rest of the money we can fill the freezer and pantry for the winter.


Scholarships: Caridad de Corazón has also been able to sponsor one young woman who is determined to improve her life by going to college. She is doing very well with her studies and is ever grateful for the monetary assistance. We provided her with a $500 scholarship initially and have paid a couple of her monthly charges which are $80.00 a month. We have received a request for $150 scholarship for a teen at the orphanage planning to go trade school.


Prison Ministry: We also have two prison ministries who request our assistance on a monthly basis. We are able to assist them with basic food items, candy, hygiene products and clothing. Mass or prayer service is offered followed by a meal and gifts. Thanks to everyone who helps in this ministry with men's clothing and hygiene products. The devoted women who volunteer their time to this ministry have seen a change in many of the young men who have no one to visit and who otherwise would not receive necessary items. They pray earnestly for forgiveness and the strength to become better persons. In their prayers they remember all those who make this part of our ministry a reality.


In addition to our outward ministries, we have had a lot of activity here at home. Each month, Feed My Sheep (group from San Antonio) come with trucks full of food for several colonias in Mexico. They make up grocery bags of food and distribute these to different colonias in Piedras Negras.


We have had several groups coming to do ministry in Piedras Negras and have stayed at our mission hospitality home. We have as yet not completed the renovations but the groups do not seem to mind. Some groups have chipped in to help with household chores which make things a lot easier for us.


May 21st Tony Melendez performed at a benefit concert with proceeds being shared between Our Lady of Refuge School and Caridad de Corazón.


It has been a busy and fruitful year for us. We cannot say thank you enough to all those who have made all this work possible. We are but a tiny piece of the puzzle. Thanks to our benefactors who help complete the puzzle "that in all things God may be glorified".


May God bless each and every one of you and "keep you in the palm of His hand." We continuously remember all our benefactors in our prayer that Gad may bless and keep them safe.


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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