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Riley - Mexico Updates

Class of 2016
Anti-Human Trafficking Worker in Mexico
Track: Compassion - Justice track
Region: Latin America

Home Again, Home Again...

By on Track: Compassion - Justice Region: Latin America

So here’s the saga of my visa for those of you wondering why I was back in the states for so long (three weeks) or for those of you wondering why I was back at all. I hope this can clear up confusion, make those of you who support me financially and through prayer more aware of why I was spending my times in the states instead of in Mexico, and honestly just help me process all the craziness that has been these past three weeks. Probably about a month and a half before I was leaving Mexico, to come home for one of my best friend’s wedding (#lovetheluginbills), we decided to also start the… Read more >>

My first quinceañera

By on Track: Compassion - Justice Region: Latin America

A few Saturday's ago we celebrated the quinceañera of one of the girls in the refuge.  She had already turned 15, but never was given a party, so El Pozo de Vida decided to throw her one. Celebrating the 15th birthday of a young women here in Mexico is still a very big deal and remains a part of the cultural tradition, even as it has become more common for the girls to ask for a trip or just to receive the money that would have been spent on the party instead. If you’ve never been to a quinceañera, think of a wedding and minus the groom.  It’s the biggest birthday party you’ve ever… Read more >>

English Class turned life-changing

By on Track: Compassion - Justice Region: Latin America

The other week I was given the opportunity to help at a school here on the outskirts of the city with their English classes. We had been connected with a young student teacher there and she wanted to bring native speakers into the classroom for her students to speak with. Starting this day, I had no idea what a meaningful experience this would turn out to be. As soon as we walked in, talking with our new friend Paty, a group of giggling 7th grade girls walked by us, excitedly waved and basically screamed “Hi!” Hello!” at us.  They were adorable. Paty shared with some of the situations of… Read more >>

"I don't know if you believe in God, but I know that He believes in you."

By on Track: Compassion - Justice Region: Latin America

This Saturday was probably one of the best days I’ve had at the refuge so far.  The girls were in really good moods, especially after all that happened. It you haven’t heard, one of the girls from the refuge escaped with the help of most of the others in the house. We don’t know where she is, and it has been really hard, especially because she was one of the girls I felt I was getting close to. All but two of the girls now have pretty severe consequences in place to teach them that what they did was unacceptable. But Saturday, a group of missionaries from the Chicago area came to spend… Read more >>

Sí, hablo español

By on Track: Compassion - Justice Region: Latin America

I’ve had a few people ask me why I’m taking Spanish classes if I already know and speak Spanish well. The simple answer is because Spanish is not simple. I’ve been studying for 7 years and I’m still not completely confident (or fluent) speaking or writing it. So I thought it might be kinda fun to share with you the things I love (and sometimes hate) most about this beautiful language. I’ll start with a story that happened to me earlier this year. A little while ago, I had a sinus infection. I’m used to getting them so I prepared myself to go to the pharmacy and get the medicine I needed by… Read more >>

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