My Journey

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Ace / Grenadiers.....I won't be traveling to Baja this winter.....I seem to often make plans these days but then I seem to never stick with them anymore. I'd been waiting on my "special price" for Mexican insurance and that never happened so I decided to take the money that I budgeted for insurance and use it in a much different way.....as you will see.....



I think about this a lot.....I think I've mentioned it before.....sometimes I wonder why I was given so much in life ? Why do I have money when others are so poor ? Why am I so healthy when others suffer all their days ? Life has given me so much more than I what I deserve.....

Often this living on the road lifestyle bothers me because I seem to spend way too much time staying busy staying happy. That's how this life on the road is.....it's a selfish life.....if you let it be.....

So I decided to do something about it.....



And this is what I've been up to lately for nearly two weeks now actually.....I've been walking across the Mexican border and going into San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico.....feeding & helping the migrants that are hoping for asylum in the United States.....



As controversial as this topic is, no doubt some readers will take issue with me, and others will wish that they too could be here to help. I just ask that people not judge. This is just what I choose to do with my money and my time.....and I choose to share my story as well.....



Of course I had no idea what the migrants needed so I decided you can't go wrong with money and candy.....I mean who doesn't like money and candy ? Doesn't matter if you're rich or poor I'm thinking.....



Now with my backpack crammed full I crossed the border and began my search for the migrants.....



The first person (a pharmacist) that I asked about the migrants whereabouts had no idea (turns out the migrants were a block away). I finally made my way to a church and found an old man that pointed the way. When I first spotted their camp I'll tell you I stopped in my tracks.....



I just couldn't believe that people could live like this.....



It was so emotional for me.....my heart ached as I saw the children playing along the side of the street.....how could this be possible I was thinking.....



And I immediately knew that I'd made the correct decision.....



Now my life, my travels.....they had a purpose.....I was here to offer a helping hand.....

 

[Ace Brown]

You don’t want thanks for this so I’ll just say it made me feel good, real good.


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[furbucket]

A few things come to mind, first and foremost is that anyone who takes issue with you helping other humans should re-evaluate their own life... And I’m not surprised- if I recall, last time you were in the area you rescued a puppy, seems like you’re often willing to lend a hand to beings in need.


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[longhorn1]

Thanks Jerry. It takes special people to do special things.?

 

[jvsontheroad]

Jerry, I respect your decision. Thank you for your volunteer work.

Jack

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Ace.....that's cool. Check out the children in this picture with their lollipops.....that's what it's all about.....those beaches sure would have been nice but seeing that trumps all.....



Furbucket.....yea, that was Mex.....he was a great story & a great pup.....in regards to your other comment.....we all know it's an angry world that we live in these days.....



JD.....thanks

Jack.....thanks



How does one man help nearly 170 hungry migrant families ? That is my reality and it is also my dilemma. With backpack full, and bags of food in either hand, I had doubled my load, and still knew it wouldn't be enough.....they have so little.....



A stop at a Mexican bakery helped to fill their empty stomachs.....



These migrant boys volunteered to come along.....and they had quite a story to tell as we walked together. Their uncle was shot and killed by gang members just before Christmas and the gang members had threatened their entire family so they fled their home and left behind the only life that they ever knew. They rode a bus for three days and have now lived on this street for nearly two months.....



They introduced me to their family.....mother, father, four boys and one girl all living under one tarp alongside the main road that leads to America.....a place that they believe will give them a second chance in life.....



When you hand any of these people food I've noticed that the food immediately goes into their mouths.....a sure sign of hunger. That being said, they will not take more than what they need. They all will say please feed everybody.....it's astounding to say the least.....



Somehow they seem to go about life as if they have accepted their fate in life.....



I struggle not to get political here.....I've heard and read that these people are criminals.....I'm not seeing that at all. I'm seeing families living in fear.....most here are running from gangs and crime that have taken loved ones from them.....that's what I'm hearing as I walk along this road.....these are not the faces of criminals.....



When I come back to the camper I'm emotionally drained. Thankful to chill with my guys.....

 

[Ace Brown]

When I crossed the border northbound on February 5 at Mexicali East I was watching for caravans and migrant camps but saw nothing. Not worried about any danger, just something that might interfere with my crossing. I’ve always been in a hurry to get away from the border. Never considered walking back and forth like your doing. Any difficulty with customs on either side?


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[sswanson15]

When I crossed the border northbound on February 5 at Mexicali East I was watching for caravans and migrant camps but saw nothing. Not worried about any danger, just something that might interfere with my crossing. I’ve always been in a hurry to get away from the border. Never considered walking back and forth like your doing. Any difficulty with customs on either side?


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Jerry - Wow, what a great cause and effort ... thanks from all of us!

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

sswanson15.....thank you

Ace.....no difficulties with customs. It's just a matter of being patient and waiting in line when you cross back into the U.S. As far as going into Mexico, they don't even stop me. I just walk through and get to "work".....



I sure do hate the addition of the concertina wire. It's amazing how things have changed.....



Beautiful skies here but nights have been cold. It kills me to think of the children sleeping in that weather. Freeze warnings tonight.....



Heading into Mexico.....



This particular day the donations included cupcakes, crayolas and paper, and instant soup.....



Without a doubt this was my favorite day.....you can't even imagine the joy that I saw in the eyes of these children (and the warmth that I felt in my heart).....so little means so much.....



The street was filled with children coloring.....much like the food that instantly goes to their mouths.....the crayolas instantly go to the paper.....



Headed back to the camper.....I wish I could do more.....

 

[Ace Brown]

What do they cook on? Maybe you could get them some propane or whatever they use.


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[jvsontheroad]

Jerry, your photos capture the human face of the tragedy unfolding at our Southern border. Your unselfish, caring nature has been here for all
to see over many posts: collecting trash left by many unthoughtful visitors to our treasure-chest of public lands; your anger over mistreatment
of a dog by the miscreant beating their dog 5-6 wks ago; your prior adoption of a stray dog on previous trip to the border; your wonderful
relationship with your current travel buddies.

Thank you for your very thoughtful treatment of contentious this issue. And most of all, for your pure human kindness towards peoples MUCH
less fortunate than any of us.

Jack

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

It is 36 degrees this morning.....

Jack.....I sure do appreciate that and I'll be honest.....at this point any support like that is very meaningful. The emotional drain here is like a tsunami on my brain. There's something about the tiny eyes of those children, the little hands grasping for the smallest things that we all take for granted.....it captivates me.....

Ace.....you're making me get ahead of myself again but the reality is that it just doesn't matter when all this stuff takes place.....



Anyhow, Saturday afternoon after my across the border visit with the migrant families we drove back to Yuma, primarily to get Tanner his heartworm test. It had been 13 days without shower so I dropped by the YMCA as well. We ended up there for the night and Sunday before returning to the border we stopped by Sportsman's Warehouse where I purchased this small stove and 3 propane tanks.....



I've discussed the stove with the migrants and after that discussion I'm still not sure if they can use it.....I'll continue to pursue the idea. One concern (for me) is that one is just not enough. The stove is $20 and the propane tanks are $5 each. I'm currently spending about $75 per day just on food and supplies. ....and I'm not sure that I want to leave.....so my expenditures are also a concern (the Mexican insurance budget is long gone).....

I am not complaining.....

Food is always welcomed here but I'm always trying to find other things that would make their lives easier and less painful. On the next trip I added bars of soap, coloring books (such a huge hit with the kids), more crayolas, moon pies and honey buns. Once everything is handed out, my helpers (the migrant boys) and I usually walk to one of the nearby bakeries and buy a bunch of bread.....



These kids were all well behaved and were great at lining up for whatever I was giving. It was so funny when they figured out that it was soap at that very moment.....you know, kids and soap





Moon pies and honey buns were next out of the bag.....







This young man has been such an asset to making each of my visits a success. At just 14 years old his level of maturity is impressive......and as polite and respectful as any young man I've ever met.....



Now check out the smile on this boys face as he sits at a take out restaurant with his bag of food that will be consumed within minutes. He was the lucky recipient of 500 pesos from a car passing by on it's way to the U.S. That truly is like hitting the Lottery.....



Quite a few of the occupants of the cars on their way to the U.S. are yelling encouraging comments to me, honking their horns, giving me the thumbs up, taking pictures, etc. I've had people jump out of their car and hand me food to distribute to the migrant families. It's heartwarming to see the local Mexicans support the migrant families.....

 

[Ace Brown]

Sooner or later a news crew is going to discover what you’re doing and you will be famous. I’d bet Charles Kuralt would love this story.

Cheaper stoves are around. Look for the little folders that use Sterno. Or just cans of Sterno, they will be creative either with some wire for a stove or maybe already have some sort of stove that just requires fuel. Maybe charcoal?

Thanks again for doing this. Would you consider setting up a Go Fund Me account so we can help with the $$?

Ace


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[Bhodie]

Great idea Ace, I was just thinking the same thing.. Jerry, would love to help defray some of your expenses.. (would prefer seeing some healthier choices over moon pies ?, but would still kick in either way..) great work, you restore some of my faith in man every time I read your updates.

 

[YukonMontanaTannerTrapper]

Anonymous.....thanks for your PM last night.....the timing was good.....

Bhodie.....thanks.....I tend to go with treats since I think they rarely see it.....

Ace.....I'd rather take a bullet to the head than I would be famous. This is definitely about the migrants.....and definitely not about me. Regarding GoFundMe, I've had a few private conversations about that idea but it really doesn't work for someone like me. First off I value my freedom and flexibility way too much to get tied into something like that. If I want to leave tonight or tomorrow I have that freedom. In addition, currently I don't answer to anyone regarding my expenses and that's quite important to me as well. And lastly, most anything on the internet scares the crap out of me.....such as releasing bank account numbers and contact information. So I'll suck it up and do what I can.....



Sometimes I really struggle here to know what to write next. How many posts can I make that basically say the same thing ? I walked across the border and I helped to feed a bunch of homeless people.....so I thought I'd try something a little different today. I hope it resonates with you.....

Each of these families has their own very unique story.....I thought I might tell one familys story while I share a few more pictures of the beautiful young people that are asking for a chance of a new life.....



There is a family here living on this street, a father and mother and their children.....living under a single tarp, sleeping on cardboard boxes for mattresses, freezing night after night. The mother and father lived illegally in the U.S. for 15 years and all of their children were born in the U.S. and are citizens of the United States. The family had a home, the father and mother had jobs, the children lived normal kids lives, going to school, playing sports and had life long friends.....



The father was caught driving without a license and their secret was revealed. He was turned over to ICE and eventually deported.....

One of the sons told me that the parents were really hard workers and were great parents. He said that his fathers former employer still sends the family money, even though it's been nearly a year. He said that the man is a good white man and that he doesn't hate Latinos, just like me (I assumed he meant that I too don't hate Latinos).....



Since that day their nearly normal lives have completely been turned upside down. They have lost their jobs, their home, and were forced to sell or give away all of their possessions. The parents didn't have great jobs.....the father was a construction worker. They've never had much but now they have even less.....



Now the entire family is in Mexico living here on the streets. The children do not know this country although they do fortunately speak the language.....



It's so tough to see a family pay such a massive price for what the parents have done. And it's heartbreaking and heartwrenching to see their children suffer as they have.....



Now the entire family is asking the U.S. to give them a second chance. They certainly are not criminals.....at least in my eyes they are not. They simply wanted a better life for their family, and I think we all want the same.....



These faces.....so innocent.....her sweatshirt speaks volumes.....