WinterServe

This winter break, I was fortunate enough to participate in WinterSERVE Laredo, TX '08. Throughout the trip, the Sisters of Mercy immersed us and taught us about Laredo and Nuevo Laredo's rich culture. They emphasized on the fact that even though Laredo is in Texas and Nuevo Laredo is in Mexico, they're still regarded as one tight-knit community that is simply separated by a bridge.

Furthermore, they went out of their way to teach us about many of the issues sorrounding the border. They gave us detailed accounts of the troubles whom both documented and undocumented migrants face on a daily basis. The experience dispelled many of the immigration myths that mainstream American society assumes to be true.

Not only did the visit enhance my understanding on the issues that plague the border, but it also introduced me to the power of hope. The Sisters' dedication to their cause, helping those in need, was fueled by an overwhelming sense of hope. Each day, they donate all their time and energy to a depressed community who lacks ammeneties that many Americans take for granted, like water. Rather than giving up, the Sisters of Mercy have dedicated generation after generation to aid the poor and forgotten.