
3 Things I Learned Doing Social Work in Mexico City
The year after I graduated college I moved to Mexico City to be a part of an anti-trafficking ministry called El Pozo de Vida. I worked in a home called the “Transition House” where women who had come out of trafficking as young girls could finish school and learn how to live independently in a stable and safe environment. The time I spent in this ministry did not go at all how I had envisioned it, but I learned a lot of valuable lessons and out of it came such sweet friendships. The main three things I learned, while doubly important in a cross-cultural context, are things that I try to practice to this day.
1- Be a learner
Many of the things I learned while studying social work in college were geared specifically toward state and federal policies and procedures. However, all of that goes out the window when working in a different country.
Being in Mexico City, I was unaware of its culture, policies, and procedures, all of which have a big impact on how social work is done. So needless to say it took a bit of effort and research to learn, and honestly, I never became an expert.
Something that helped me a lot in this learning process was asking questions and approaching everything with a learner's attitude. More often than not, the locals around would know how to navigate the complicated legal systems and cultural norms much better than I could.
Going from a place where I was competent and prepared to do the work I had been educated for to a place where almost everything new was definitely disorienting. This could have been very discouraging if I had not taken on the role of a learner. Instead, it became exciting and empowering to know that anything good to come out of my presence was truly the Lord's work. I didn’t need to be great at it, I just needed to be faithful.
2- Listen well
As a volunteer in a safe house for girls who have left/been rescued from sex trafficking, it was important to gain trust and rapport before I could help them move forward with their goals. Active listening helped them feel heard and understood, giving me the ability to build a relationship with them that was built on trust.
Listening and observing before I spoke or acted helped me begin to understand cultural cues and norms. This understanding of my new surroundings helped me in forming new relationships because I began to see the world as they do.
This is a skill I learned through my social work degree to be used with clients, but the applications go even further when living and working in a cross-cultural setting.
3- Just show up
During my time in Mexico, it was hard at times to see that I was having any impact through my work. I had such big dreams before launching into the field and felt that I was just unable to fulfill them. I mentioned this to my mentor one day and she said something that completely flipped my thinking upside down. She said it isn’t what you can do, but what God can do through you that makes the difference.
It was so encouraging to know that God doesn’t expect perfection from me but rather has said that His power is perfected in my weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). I need only follow where he leads, show up, and be faithful to his call. What a weight taken off my shoulders!
I learned to just show up, bringing my hopes and dreams to the Lord in prayer. This not only made me rely more completely on the Lord but lifted such a heavy weight off of my shoulders because I realized that it's not all about me and my abilities.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Our God knows us so well and helped me to learn how to best know others. Because when we truly know others we can love and serve them better. I am so thankful for the highs and lows of my time in Mexico and the valuable things that it taught me. God knew just what I needed and was faithful to provide.