I cannot believe how many appalling things I have seen on this trip. Life-saving water stations are shot or knifed on a regular basis. Cultural studies have been banned in Arizona schools, and charter schools that provide minority students a safe-place to be well-educated have been shut down. Towns have been split in half by walls that are designed to keep Mexicans from even seeing the lifestyles that we enjoy. Desperate people, from the sexually abused to the unimaginably poor are forced to trek through the deserts that our youth group couldn't last for half an hour in.

I know that these aren't easily solved problems, and that there's more than one side to every issue. But there is no reason to dehumanize people or to effectively kill them. Because that is what I have seen people doing every single day here. Our current system is a death sentence for thousands of people, and nobody can argue differently.

Among the things that really gets me is the fact that the United States is responsible for SO many of the problems that drive people to come here illegally. We have created instability in nations around the World for decades, but nowhere is this more visible than in South America. From U.S.-backed wars to economic agreements that ruin life for millions (hem hem, NAFTA), our country is responsible for incredible amounts of devastation. I think that it's just about time that we as an entire country realized this, and found ways to make amends for what we have done and continue to do.

Anyways, this trip is going pretty well. I'm hot. But who isn't? The food has also improved substantially from the Subway and gross ham sandwiches. Big ups to Susannah and whoever decided to make egg salad.

Chris, Connie, Kelly, I miss you and love you all muchisimo.
MC