Train track in Ixtepec, Mexico
Men waiting to jump a freight train in Ixtepec, MexicoAbout two blocks from the Covenant church in Ixtepec, Mexico is the train track that runs from Central America through Mexico. If you look closely at the above photo you can see people laying in the shade under one of the train cars. These people, undocumented Central Americans are waiting to jump onto the freight train as it begins its journey.
There is a book "Enrique's Journey" by Sonia Nazario that chronicles one such journey. No matter what your opinion, this is a thought provoking (but hard to read) book.
"Enrique's Journey" recounts the unforgettable story of a Honduran boy who travels on a train such as this one. Without money, Enrique who is 16 years old, makes the dangerous and illegal trek up the length of Mexico the only way he can–clinging to the sides and tops of freight trains. His goal is to be reunited with his mother who has been gone from Honduras for 11 years. "Enrique's Journey" tells of the many, some as young as 8 years old, who take this trip. A great many don't make it because of the dangers.
The author deals with many sides of such a trek--the undocumented Central American boy, the country that he left, the country (Mexico) that he travels through and the country that he is trying to reach. She does not try to convince people which side of the debate they should be on but just presents Enrique's story.
The book mentions the journey through the state of Oaxaca and in particular mentions the railroad tracks in the city of Ixtepec, where I often visit the Covenant church in that town. Another two blocks in the other direction of the church is an asylum that is run by the Roman Catholic church. Often when I am preaching or visiting the Ixtepec church, one of these Central American men comes into the church to pray--to pray for safety, to pray for hope, to pray for someone to show him compassion on this long and hard journey.
If you have some time this summer and don't mind being challenged, I would encourage you to take a look at this amazing book.
1 comment:
I very much appreciate books like the one you mention but am finding it harder and harder to be compassionate toward illegal immigrants in the U.S. Public schools are struggling on many levels, and federal mandates make it necessary to divert a considerable amount of money to ELL and bilingual classes, which have smaller class sizes and require teacher aides in addition to the teachers. I've had some interesting conversations with Mark on this issue, you may be sure. :-) Another good title - this one is for middle school students - is CROSSING THE WIRE by Will Hobbs.
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