#6 Jesus, a Singer from Across the Border

​Singing in the Canyon

In April 2011, my husband, Don and I had our first visit to Big Bend National Park. 

Maybe it was the 100 degree heat that made the hike down to Boquillas Canyon almost dreamlike. 

Or maybe it was the voice we heard echoing up from the Rio Grande that added an eerie quality to our walk.

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​We'd Been Warned

Earlier, we saw signs telling us it was illegal to purchase goods from "Mexican Nationals".   That gave us a little more to think about as we hiked.  After all, the drought left little water in the Rio Grande, so it was easy for  our Mexican neighbors to wade across with crafts to sell.   If you stopped to look at the walking sticks and tiny animals made from beads, you could sometimes see the craftsmen across the river, watching to see if you placed money in the jar.

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​Heard His Voice

We heard the voice singing Cielito Lindo, the "Ay... ay,ay,ay..." song, that takes me back to the "Frito Bandito" commercial I remember from childhood. As we came around the bend, we could see him on our side of the Rio, standing on a mound.  In front of him was a metal can with a note.  "Donations for Singing Jesus".

"Prohibito."  Don tried to warn him when he asked if we had any song  requests.

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Intimidating

He looked a bit threatening with his serious expression and hands on his hips. His large mustache, cowboy hat and the way he squinted up towards the hill with his binoculars, (looking out for border patrol) made him look a bit intimidating.

But when he pointed to his canoe and told us how he paddled 5 miles from his village everyday, he suddenly became a person.  He reminded us that he wasn't selling anything...you can't sell a song.  The can was just for donations.  We didn't make a request.  But we had enjoyed the way his voice had echoed in the canyon while we hiked.  We ended up accidently dropping a dollar in the can as we walked away.

Thanks, Jesus!
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I think of you often when I read news about securing the borders and concerns of illegal "aliens".  It's been over a year since we met, but you've opened my thinking towards these arguments.  You were no alien.  You were just a man feeding your family.

I don't have the answers, but I'm reading more and asking more questions.  I'm trying to educate myself better to understand the concerns on both sides of the border!

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