As a first-generation Chinese-American, my own story is intertwined with challenges posed by the U.S. immigration policy. My father came to the States as a teenager in the fifties. He had lost his mother, two sisters, and younger brother when the Japanese invaded Hong Kong, and his [...]Read More
Ava Steaffens: Why I am doing El Camino
As a young law school grad in 1981, I prayed to the Lord for guidance on what area of law He would have me practice. His response was a bit of a shock to my system because as I prayed, I knew that He was calling me to practice Immigration Law. This was so unexpected; it wasn't even a course that I [...]Read More
Kristen Chesmore: Why I am doing El Camino
I am a mom and a grandmother. I’ve lived most of my adult life raising our three children and working on and off. I have long had a heart for those without a voice in the dominate culture but have found it challenging to pursue active advocacy work. I feel as though I have [...]Read More
Alexia Salvatierra: Why I am doing El Camino
INTERVIEW WITH ALEXIA: What made you decide to do El Camino? For me, El Camino del Inmigrante is a timely opportunity to call public attention to the sufferings and contributions of immigrants in the U.S. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love for the stranger at this historical [...]Read More
Kayla Berndt: Why I am doing El Camino
“Why are you wearing a long sleeve shirt?” I ask my sweet friend Shazia, on the swing set during recess. It was a hot, muggy day in Minnesota, and as I wore shorts and my favorite pink top, it made no sense to me why she would wear pants and a long sleeve shirt. “Because Kayla!” She scoffed back at [...]Read More
Stephanie Leonardi: Why I am doing El Camino
INTERVIEW WITH STEPHANIE (LEO): What made you decide to do El Camino? I decided to do El Camino after it was first mentioned at CCDA this past November. I was completely drawn to it, and felt like I was committed instantly. Now that there are only days before the walk, I have piled up a list [...]Read More
Anna Castellanos: Why I am doing El Camino
Eighteen months ago, my father, my brother, and I took our first steps on El Camino de Santiago, a centuries-old pilgrimage that stretched from one end of Spain to the other. To take a step is a simple act, so small and subconscious that we often forget were walking at all. The difference between [...]Read More
Walkin Towards the New “We”
Growing up in a predominately white upper-middle class world, my concept of “we” had limits that needed expanding. Sports, travel, and education all played their part in this expansion; the more I grew in years and wisdom, and the more friendships I found, my concept of “we” grew in its capacity [...]Read More