USD Magazine Summer 2015

FAITH  IN ACTION

The university’s annual Tijuana Spring Breakthrough lets students explore the realities of life just beyond the U.S. border. Junior Emerald Dohleman ‘16 found the experience deeply moving.

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by Emerald Dohleman ‘16 H GRACIAS A DIOS eightened anticipation kept our group of 29 energetic, even though Lessons learned dur ing USD’ s 2015 Ti juana Spr ing Breakthrough

we were tired from a full day of service and sports. We were all eager to welcome our host fami- lies to the end-of-the-week fiesta. Many of us were working to prepare dinner. The smell of freshly grilled carne asada and the steady sound of chopping filled the air. There was much laughter as one group trans- formed a pile of avocados into a giant bowl of fresh guacamole. Mismatched tables and chairs were gathered from around the chapel to seat the 70+ people we were expecting to join us in celebrating our group’s last night in La Morita. The moment was bittersweet: it was the first time most of us had seen our host families since departing from their homes two days before, but it was our last night in a place that had very quickly become home. The families arrived one at a time: one bearing cupcakes for the group, the next laden with gifts and treats for their new brothers and sisters. All brought smiles and enthusiastic embraces. Some of the families arrived early to participate in a worship service; we joined them in the chapel. All of the USD students were called to the front, alongside community youth who taught us

LUIS GARCIA

less times throughout our week. Once we had served all of the families, we ourselves were able to break bread, a concept that had come to hold great value. The animated sound of eager conversations and children play- ing filled the air. One last time, we experienced the simple joy of being with one another and the people who now called us daughters and sons. A true fiesta ensued with one

dance moves to several praise and worship songs. As we looked out at all of the now-familiar faces of our families we danced with- out inhibition, the qualms of leaving our newfound home for- gotten in the joy of movement. Breathless from dancing, everyone moved out to the patio to enjoy the dinner we’d worked to prepare. It was won- derful to reciprocate the hospi- tality we’d encountered count-

of the host dads leading an impromptu Zumba session, and more dancing broke out as the tables cleared of the now empty plates and cups. All too soon, families began to say their good- byes. An outsider would have assumed we were age-old friends making a difficult departure, but in truth, we were strangers- turned-family in a mere six days. What made our goodbyes so difficult is hard to pinpoint.

12 USD MAGAZINE