Presente, The Journey Begins.
Left Shalom Mennonite Fellowship at 9 am to gather with all the participants at another church. We departed the church just after 11 am and drove to the U.S.-Mexico border. We walked on foot across the border into Sasabe, Mexico. There were no documentation checks, no stops whatsoever. 
We were shuttled to a local church one mile away, and were served a scrumptious Mexican lunch at the Parish house. Following that was a blessing at the church. Our walk officially began with the one mile walk from the church back to the U.S.-Mexico border. Folks collaboratively carried three coffins which represented male, female and child migrants.
On the Mexican side of the border, we gathered in a circle for another blessing in the Native American tradition. Maria prayed for our safety and called us all to remember this year’s deaths on the border. Gabriel would lead the walkers, carrying a large cross with the word PRESENTE which symbolized the presence of those who have died crossing the border. Many participants also carried smaller crosses with identified and unidentified names of migrants who have died over the years.
After we closed the circle, we made our way to cross the border once more. Unlike our first crossing, we were required to present documents to the U.S. officers for entry.
It was nearly 2.40 pm now. As a general rule, we were given water stops (only to fill up water, and quickly heed to mother nature‘s call) every 1.5 mile. Every third mile was a full stop, where we would have between 10-15 minutes to have snacks (lots of salt) and rest our feet.
Today’s walk was a little over 5 miles. The majority of our walk was in the Buenos Aires Wildlife Refuge where we walked on a path that was mostly sand and pebbles. Surrounding us was cacti, mesquite bushes and large mountains. Much of the sand was soft, from the border patrol ATVs that sweep through the desert. I noticed many border patrol vehicles pass by in the short walk on the road en route to the refuge.
We arrived at our campsite close to 6 pm and immediately set up our tents before dusk. It was getting significantly colder as the sun set. The day’s temperature started in the 80s, and by night, it dropped to the 40s.
We scarfed down burritos for dinner – we had all been divided into specific teams (food, security, logistics, medical, environment). I was on the medical team, and was able to quickly learn the art of blister care that evening!
An important detail not to be excluded is the bathroom -or the lack thereof. We were provided with latrine-like containers for #2, and designated specific areas for men and women. The spaces were inspected by the environment team, but I found a jumping cholla in my foot as I exited the space. Jumping chollas are a type of cactus that stick to flesh and material from thermal heat. Their thorns must then be carefully combed out. In short – it hurts, and cannot be quickly removed. This was a little reminder of the harsh terrain.
Of course, I got up in the middle of the night to use the bathroom. On my way there, I noticed a bright light shining, then dimming in the distance. We (myself and the two folks on security duty) gathered that it was border patrol. My fear of getting pricked by jumping chollas or bitten by snakes paled in comparison with imagining that I was a migrant being hunted down by border patrol officers.
