i left all my youth in the fields

by Epifania

I come from Guerrero, Mexico. I passed through the Rio Bravo for the first time as a young girl, with my brother. In that river, people often drown. The boat we were traveling in flipped over, and I give thanks to God because my brother and I were saved. It was horrible watching people drown. But we arrived in Texas to work in the oranges. I was 11.

From the time I was 11, I worked a lot. I got married and kept working for my six children, even when I became single. I struggled a lot. I lost one of my sons; this emptiness I'll always carry. I have another son that's particularly rebellious. But I give thanks to God because through him, I found Tierra Nueva. I've known Bob and Rocio for 14 years. They're like family members to me. Rocio picks me up and brings me here, and helps me with appointments and errands because I don't have car.

I left all my youth in the fields. I've worked for years and years. I don't understand the situation with immigration law. We don't come here to take anyone's work. We come to help. We harvest the crops even when it's raining and snowing. We harvest the crops and the pay is a misery. I made .75 an hour when I first came here. When I started to make 1.25 an hour, I cried for joy because I was making a lot of money.

I've seen many miracles. One time, before I had papers, immigration was taking all the people from the fields. I said, "Oh, Lord, I'm in your hands. I know you can cover me so immigration doesn't see me." I made all my kids get on their knees. Immigration took whole families from the strawberry field. But I was just sitting there and they didn't see me. The boss was an American. He said, "You must have a pact with the devil." I said, "No, I have a pact with God." All of my children were hugging me. That happened to me four times. God doesn't discriminate against us. I give thanks to God and pray that God protects everyone coming from Mexico, because I've suffered through that.

I've gone through times of hunger. I used to sleep in my van with six children. I've even slept here at Tierra Nueva because they've made a place for me. They don't discriminate against anyone. In other churches, they look at how you come here. At Tierra Nueva, they help everyone.

Epifania shared this testimony at our recent "Open Your Eyes" course. For more information about courses and events at Tierra Nueva, visit our website, www.tierra-nueva.org.

what Tierra Nueva means to me

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I'm writing to tell you what Tierra Nueva has meant to my family. Tierra Nueva has helped us in many ways, as much spiritually as materially. Sometimes I haven't had anyone to help me, and I go to Tierra Nueva. They've helped me fill out applications, and when we've had appointments—especially because we don't have good command of English—they've interpreted for us.

I believe Tierra Nueva has done the maximum for us. May God reward them for all they've done for us, the poor. For my part, I want to give thanks to all who've worked with Tierra Nueva, especially the ones who fund it, because Tierra Nueva is where the poor find refuge. They never turn anyone down who asks for help, when it's within their ability.

For this I am grateful with all my heart, to all those who've extended a hand, so that Tierra Nueva can continue giving help to those who need it in the future.

Many thanks,
Salvio Hernandez