Over the Bridge

Today was my day off and so Andy, his wife Maureen, and I took off to downtown El Paso. Once there, we located the bridge that you can walk over into Mexico. For fifty cents we did that and continued on to visit the Cathedral of Juarez, a newer building with striking stained glass windows all along one wall. Next to this is the original church with well-aged pews and an incredible wood carved ceiling. It was nice to join my prayers to those of others for the situation at the border in these sacred spaces.

Walking to the bridge on the Mexican side of the border

Sister Elaine in front of the old and new Cathedral

Andy and Maureen in front of the old and new Cathedral

Inside of Our Lady of Guadalupe Cathedral in Juarez, Mexico

After crossing back to the American side, a more complicated process as we waited in line for 45 minutes to have our passports verified, we drove to the Border Patrol Museum. We spent some time there looking at the displays honoring the work this group does to protect our borders. This was almost a surreal experience knowing the stories of some of the people who have tried to cross that border.

Border Patrol Museum 

Over the last few days we have been sheltering under 20 people a day and the news today is that 25 new people arrived while we were out. I have been able to use my Portuguese as some have been from Brazil. This morning one of the little boys who was with us overnight took hold of my hand and slowly and reverently traced the veins in it and the sunspots. Last night a woman had done the same. As I looked at his little hand I couldn’t help but notice the difference in color. Maybe he was noticing that as well. I just hope those hands can be extended with love to each other. It will make a difference in both of our lives.