Update from the Field in El Paso #1

May 6, 2023

Oh my heavens, we never could have anticipated the welcome and the response from the
caregivers here on the border in El Paso. We had over 40 registered (religious women and laity both), but illness took out several. Nevertheless, our retreatants came from places like Belgium, Spain, Mexico, the Philippines, France, Ireland, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Singapore, as well as all over the USA. They were so glad to have something finally that ministered to their mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. Covid had obviously affected them, but even before that, few opportunities were presented to them for their own health.

We facilitated the retreat, Bread for the Journey, in both Spanish and English, and so many of
them had never experienced such a retreat. One retreatant commented, “Thank you for this day. It was so good to pause, especially with others on the journey. You all made it so inviting and easy just to Be. Hope there will be more.” Other people commented, “We often do not have the time to come together.” And repeatedly we heard, “Thank you for coming all this way for us!”

While the retreat was only a single day, the depth shared and the camaraderie experienced was so rejuvenating. There were requests for more time to share in small groups and additional opportunities to get to know each other more fully.

This first retreat was undoubtedly a wonderful success. One person commented that what was
most helpful was there was “no pressure. We had time, and nothing was rushed. This bilingual
presentation was easy to be a participant [in]. I didn’t feel anxiety.”

We came away tired and happy, grateful for this new venture for TATENDA International.
There are a number of other communities and individuals to include in future experiences, and we felt such gratitude and rejuvenation ourselves in the unfolding of the day.

Now, Wilson heads home to Rhode Island and then to Ecuador to his family. Nicki remains in
El Paso for a week to visit convents, refugee sites, and clinics over in Mexico. All of these visits will be with retreatants, who will share with her some of what they do. What a great opportunity for us.

More to come in the near future. Stay tuned.

Muchas Gracias,
Nicki Verploegen and Wilson Villamar