MONDAY MORNINGS

Monday Morning is a time we all look forward to at PJD. After a short staff prayer, Carolina, Maria, Sr. Phylis and Sr. Sharon pack the Toyota with teaching supplies and head to Matamoros, Mexico.
We go through check point and over the bridge to Saint Michael the Archangel Church where health education classes have been held for the past year. A faithful group of women walk to the church and continue to learn about various topics of health. Maria teaches from a lap top where the mom’s lean in from the wooden benches to see the pictures and information being presented. Meanwhile, the children are gathered in a circle in the back of church for their own activities with Sr. Sharon.
Carolina and Sr. Phylis continue on the dirt roads of the colonia to the home of a woman who is hosting the educational sessions for the next few months. She has gathered a group of neighbors for classes just outside her home under a tree. The women have decided they would like to learn Capacitar before continuing with health education. Carolina will walk the woman through the Capacitar course beginning with Thai Chi then move to other stress management techniques.
A couple hours later we pack up and head back to Brownsville. We often reflect on this experience together on the ride back to PJD. The women face many challenges in their daily life yet we are always struck by their thoughtfulness, generosity, and gratitude.