By Arlyn Fragoso (19-year-old volunteer)

I am currently on my first mission trip, and it has brought me to the vibrant yet deeply challenged city of Tijuana, Mexico. Here, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to serve through a vast network of social projects, with my primary focus being the “Desayunador”, a place of hope, nourishment, and human connection.

Each day, the Desayunador provides warm meals to nearly 1,000 people. These are individuals living on the streets, battling addiction, recently deported, or enduring extreme poverty. Our mission goes far beyond food; we strive to create a Salesian environment, offering an experience of joy, dignity, and family. From the moment someone walks in, they are greeted with smiles, a “welcome in,” a “good morning,” and the assurance that they’ll have a warm meal again tomorrow.

But meals are just the beginning. We also distribute clothing, hygiene products, and on certain days, offer showers. Mothers bring in their children to be cleaned and clothed, often walking away with a fresh pair of shoes or a cozy sweater. These small acts of care add up to something much bigger; they bring dignity back to those who may have forgotten what it feels like to be seen, heard, and valued.

The team here is diverse, united by a shared love and commitment to service. Many of my fellow workers were once displaced themselves. Two incredible women helped lead the operation, tirelessly coordinating donations, assigning roles, and assisting men with job applications, helping them take steps toward rebuilding their lives. One man I’ve met here is a powerful reminder of transformation. Once in need himself, he now has steady work, a family, and a home. It’s a full-circle moment that inspires hope in every direction.

When I first arrived, I was nervous. The Desayunador serves primarily men, as the surrounding area is about 97% male. It was intimidating, and as a woman in a new country, I felt vulnerable. But I knew God would equip me with what I needed. And He has, I have, through moments of discomfort, cultural tension, and spiritual testing.

Being in Tijuana has come with unexpected challenges. Even with my strong command of Spanish, I’ve faced a kind of identity tug-of-war, too “Mexican” for the U.S., but “not Mexican enough” for here. Additionally, our team of five volunteer members comes from diverse backgrounds, including Mexico, Uruguay, Argentina, and Spain. We differ in language, culture, age, and religion. Yet, despite those differences, we are united by our shared purpose and God’s calling. Prayer and obedience have become my daily strength.

There are moments when I’ve wanted to give up, especially when exhaustion sets in or the environment feels overwhelming. But I remember: this mission is not about me. It’s about serving others. It’s about being present with God’s children, no matter where they come from or what they’ve faced.

Another light in this experience has been the mini summer camp we run for kids. These children, many from the local community and others from Haiti, come seeking joy, connection, and a sense of escape. The Haitian community in Tijuana has grown significantly, driven by unrest and danger back home. The children have witnessed far too much for their age, yet here, even if just for a few hours of coloring or tossing a hula hoop, they get to be kids again. Every moment with them is a reminder of why I’m here. The sweat, the fatigue, everything, it’s all worth it.

One of the most profound lessons I’ve learned is that language and culture, while challenging, are not barriers to love. You can deeply connect and serve like Jesus without sharing a single word in common. Love, after all, speaks in smiles, in acts of kindness, in listening, in presence.

This mission has changed me. It stripped away assumptions, comfort, and control, filling me with purpose, humility, and a deeper faith. In Tijuana, I’ve found not just a place to serve, but a place to grow, to be broken down and rebuilt in God’s image. And for that, I am endlessly grateful.