Gratitude from an alumna

Blanca Noyola is a 26 year old young woman who grew up having  a great deal of association with Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry. The following are excerpts from a letter of thanks that Blanca recently wrote to one of our generous donors. This is used with permission of Miss Noyola.

"I was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. At the age of 10 years old my mom, siblings, and I moved to New York to be with my dad. In 1992 my family was very blessed to have met the nuns. . . I am now 26 years old and I live with my wonderful family. I am going to school full time to become an elementary school teacher. . . I also work full time to help pay for my school and try to help my family in any way that I can."

"I am the oldest of 6 children, four brothers and one sister. . . Growing up in Mexico was very hard for my mom, my siblings and me without my dad. My dad was in this country working by himself to raise money to hire a lawyer so we could all come to this country. So finally at the age of 10 my whole family was finally able to be together. We heve been together ever since. When we first came to this country my family and I moved to Pine Island, New York and that is when my family met the nuns. When I think about that day it feels like it was just yesterday. The nuns came to my house to meet us and to welcome us to the area. It was hard to communicate with them at first since at that time no one in my family spoke English. After that day the nuns and their house became like a second family to me and my family. Looking back at that first day we met I had no idea what a huge impact they were going to be in my life."

"Growing up in my family and being the oldest of 6 children came with a lot of responsibilities. At the age of ten I had to be a translator for my parents since my parents didn't speak English. I translated for them at school, work, and even at the hospital when my little brother was very sick. I feel like I had to grow up sooner that what I was supposed to. I was not your normal 10 year old kid. I don't regret it at all because I was able to help my family when they really needed me. . . I feel that my parents sacrificed a lot to give us the best that they can. That is why I am trying very hard to get an education so hopefully one day I can be able to take care of them."

"So you must be wondering how the nuns and Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry impacted my life. Well thanks to them I was able to have a home where I could enjoy my youth. I was always used to being treated like an adult at such a young age. The nuns gave me an opportunity to be a kid. Thanks to the nuns and their ministry I was able to meet all of my best friends who I still keep in touch with. Also thanks to them I experienced things that I know it would have been very hard for my parents to give me and my siblings. The nuns and their ministry with the help of a donor were able to take me and other kids to Disney World. . . There have been many other trips that the nuns have made possible with the help of many wonderful and generous people just like you. For example, I remember going to Vermont, Pennsylvania, going to see plays in New Yok City, going to Medieval Times, theme parks, and many more. I know that none of this would have been possible without the help of generous people like you. . . Even now that I am miles and miles away from them I am still being touched by their wonderful work."

Sincerely,

Blanca Noyola