Humanity Has No Borders with Sr. Norma Pimentel

Kelly: So for those who may not be familiar, might you introduce yourself and perhaps share who you are and where you’re from?

Sister Norma: I’m Sister Norma and then I am in the southern part of Texas border with Mexico. And I’ve lived here all my life. And I am responding to the many immigrant refugees that are coming to our border, to the United States, asking for safety, for help. And I have been helping them in every way possible with so many others in this humanaitarian response.

Aurora: Thank you. So, Sister Norma, immigration in our news cycle and certainly through the last four years and I would actually say the last twelve years has – you know, has so many people having such a different and differing opinions around what is immigration? What is our stance as a country with immigration? Can you can you share with us? What does it mean to you?

Sister Norma: Yes, of course. Immigration is people who flee their country due to fear for their lives, especially for that of their children. And they travel great distances, displacing themselves from everything that they know to an unknown with the hopes that maybe they can find a space, a place where they can be safe for their children to grow up, to be safe as well. And so there are many people who travel and journey to so many places with the hopes that they can find this space, this special place where they can be welcome, where they can be part of a humanity that respects life.

Aurora: If you could share, what do you think is one of the biggest things that we are we as Americans miss understand about immigrants and immigration?

Sister Norma: I believe that because some rhetoric that we hear that is so political in nature, it’s about partisan and trying to accomplish something more to words and goals within a particular political agenda. That there is a lot of fear plays in many of the people in especially in our country, in the United States. That creates the sense of of being afraid of immigrants, of refugees as they’re coming to take something from us or hurt us. And I believe that by doing that, they close himself away from the possibility of opening up to to reach out and help another person that is in distress, that is hurting, that is needing our help. And so the sense of respect to life is lost because it almost is as if we justify not helping. Turning our backs on another human being that really, truly needs us. That is suffering. And so I believe that people in the United States and I’m sure maybe many other countries shy away from opening themselves up and really, truly learning how to that presence of God in them because they fear what is beyond that, because they don’t know. They are blinded from the fears that have taken control and imprison them within themselves to not be fully that got the person that they would come to be.

Aurora: And some would offer that your vocation, your vocation as a sister, as someone that has dedicated your life to God, to to the Holy Spirit. But there’s something else that you’re calling on us. When you say that, you know, I you said not to turn our backs. And you have you know, you’ve lived between Texas and Mexico – what keeps you from turning your back? Because you’ve been doing this for a long time and we’d love for you to just share with our listeners. You know, how much of you have you you’ve dedicated to this important, important group of part of our humanity and into people?

Sister Norma: Yes. You know, I feel privileged to be where I met because by allowing myself to see to encounter the other this other person that is fragile and broken and hurting and to being given the opportunity to be present to that person and all those persons that I see before me, I feel this presence of God right there among us when we are able to encounter each other. And I can be there and I can allow the goodness that is within me that comes from God to become presence in that other person that I have before me. And that presence and that encounter really allows us both to experience that beautiful presence of God that is upon us. And so I’m drawn to to be able to be present to that other before me, whether it’s only simply by accompanying them, by them, by their side. If I cannot do anything else other than be there and cry with them and laugh with them, cheer with them. If I have a chance and an opportunity, I can relieve some of the suffering, I will do that. So I think that we all have that in us, that that natural thing that comes forward to to be there for the other. If only we allow ourselves to get close enough to see and we will feel something within us like this fire within saying to do some gentle, beautiful presence of God. And that’s what happens to me. And so I think it can happen to all of us. Anyone just always just have to do is give ourselves a chance to get close enough to see, to feel. So we all care.

Kelly: It’s a beautiful. What does a typical day in your life look like at the border?

Sister Norma: Typical day starts very early in the morning. I personally like I believe that there’s no other way to start the day. If it isn’t with God. Because I have I basically, they say, is, OK, what do you have planned for me today? You know, I have to make that first connection because otherwise what happens will be a lot about what Norma wants, you know? And so I think we might get in the way, you know. And so for me, God is my compass, my direction, my sense of self and her and I need to be and how I must respond. And when I lose contact with that personal connectedness with God, then I think I can get in the way with how things can unfold for the day. So I think that’s very important for me. But then I usually try to make sure I take the best of my time and use it as best as possible. One of my first stops has been almost every other day or a not every day sometimes is to go to the refugee camp by the borders and connect with the families. And just my presence there is something that brings hope, brings a sense of encouragement to to feel that they’re not alone. That people care about them and that I represent so many others that care about the fact that they’re suffering and they’re they’re they’re not forgotten. You know that even though they have been there for so long, you know, almost any of them forward a year. There’s a sense of our presence when we are there by their side. I’m not alone. And I can cry with you. I can talk with you. I can share my hopes with you. And it’s a great part of my day is that, you know, and I can be there for so many hours. And sometimes that at some point I actually say I got to go because I have other things I need to do. And they all say, none of that, don’t leave us yet. You know, we’re so comfortable here. You know, sharing time and talking. But then, of course, I have to do other things. And so just going and coming to that place, this takes a while because crossing the bridges is is quite an ordeal. You know, the US authorities at the bridge, you have to go through customs and they they have a long line so that you have to wait. And I’m fortunate that sometimes they can get by faster. But in any case, I have to drive back to the office and start having my meetings and my school meetings that I have so many people that I talk with and share my experience and what’s going on the camp and here at the border. And so there’s other many other responsibilities that we’re trying to help people in the area, especially for families here in the Rio Grande Valley. And so my day goes fast where, you know, it is very late, too.

Kelly: My goodness. So the church – what what role does the church in the Catholic Church or Catholic Charities? What role does the church play in humanitarianis to you. For you.

Sister Norma: Yes. Well, the churches – reaffirms us and make sure that we’re doing what God wants us to know. The charge to our bishop and to the Holy Father, to our teaching their teachings really reaffirm us as people, people that this reminds us of the sacredness of life and how blessed, defended and protected and and how we must be one community. And I believe that that’s what the church is for me. You know, it helps me to reaffirm who I am and who God is calling to be together with others, because it’s not by myself. It’s all of us together. That’s why churches are important, because church brings us together as one community where we all belong. And when somebody is excluded or rejected or put push aside, the church invites us to bring them in to say, you know, you’re part of who we are, you know, and we must welcome and find how we can be one community. And I believe that’s what the church does and helps us all. And so I strongly praise that sense of community that the church pulls us together to to be, you know, and to learn how to respect life. It’s a life, you know. And so I think that’s why trust is important.

Aurora: So, you know, when, when you speak of community – How has the local community, wow has the camp community – Have you seen how the community comes together to support each other? And I think hold each other because for so many of these children, for so many of these families, for so many of the mothers there’s actually not a clear date or path to a resolution to their status.

Sister Norma: Right. It’s very discouraging when you look at and think about the fact that you don’t know when I will be able to cross that bridge. And I will be allowed to stay there be safe with my children. you know, and it’s the question that they’re always asking me and saying, cuando? When will I be able to cross that bridge? And they will say, I can come in. They will hear my story and they will understand the fact that I I left my country cause after – I can die, my children could die. So community is so important and so real and especially in the camp, you know, when I sit down and share some time with them and we share in just moments of sharing life and we see people from all the different countries and somebodies from El Salvador and somebody from Honduras…Venezuela…Colombia, you know, and they’re all there. It’s like the international community and the one they’re just one family together. They care about each other. They take care of each other’s children. One mother was going through some labor pains and she was by herself. And they will rush and fight through right away to help her and to take her out of there, make sure that she gets the proper care she needs. And they will go out of their way to be there and help each other in amazing ways. And in the midst of the fact that they’re hurting and struggling, it’s like they push that aside and they will they deal with reality, that pressing reality, and they’re there for one another. Mother is taking care of each other’s children and each other’s needs. So, so beautiful what I see at the camp, you know, and and their community here in Rio Grande Valley valley is so also amazing because they know from day one, when we start seeing all these refugees coming in and coming to our communities and seeing them at the bus station downtown, everybody reached out and says, how can I help? How I want to be part of helping them. We’re pushed aside our differences, whether we belong to one faith community, what the denomination with one party, political power or the other. We were all one community together, responding and helping because we saw a greater need. We saw humanity suffering and we all identify ourselves with them. They were like our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, you know, and they they needed help. And we all came together to help them and continue to do so. In many ways. That’s how it’s been so many years already, too, that 2014 is yet wish to be there. People are still coming in is to offering food and cooking and bringing things that we may need. And so it’s it’s amazing how beautiful we can be a community where we put aside our differences and build on those things that brings us together as one.

Aurora: And it’s that right, Sister Norma? I think it’s that. You know, Kelly and I’ve spent this season trying to bring definition and texture and examples to our audience around community. And community for some of us culturally is something that’s so natural. It’s so embodied in who we are. You know, this notion of I am my brother and sisters keeper. They are me and I am them. How do you get that? How can you share that message, Sister Norma, for people and I’m going to dare say white people who who don’t always have a clear grasp of that?

Sister Norma: I I think that more than white people, I would say. I understand what you’re saying, that a Latin culture you know, we it’s part of who we are being family and needing to be together and sharing experiences together. And family is so important, you know, and so. But I think that it is about more, especially today, this sense of individualism where I can take care of myself and I don’t need anybody else. And I think that sense of consumerism that I, I made it’s about me and my family and that’s all I need to worry about. And I think that that’s alienates us from the other. The sense of success, personal success has kept us so to ourselves and separated and allow walls to come up to protect ourselves and to be safe and to be apparently OK. But we’re alone. You know, and I think that that we failed to realize that that sense of belonging is in service of being there for one another. This is an essential part of being in. And so at some point that that tower that, you know, we hear that in the scriptures where they start to build towers and then, you know, when you build this towers, you end up being so distant from one another that you will no longer speak the same language. You know, and so you’re so different in many ways. But those towers need to come down because ultimately we will make it alone. The only way we can survive, for example, the pandemic and the virus is by us coming together as one goes together is how we can face whatever it is that our humanity as a few of them faces. And so when we realize that, you know, any can be anybody, the one that falls into this trap. And so we have a false sense of security is that we must bring down because ultimately we’re going to be alone. And if we allow ourselves to stay there, we need to bring those walls, sound those towers down because we need to shower to survive.

Kelly: Oh, man, sister. Louder for the people in the back. You know, I’m I’m so I’m scared to know what the conditions at the border are like in it as a reflection of how we as citizens dehumanize the people at the border whom we don’t see and we are not in community with. And maybe at one point knew about but so many news cycles have passed since we’ve seen it that it’s been out of sight, out of mind. How does the conditions there reflect that lack of awareness?

Sister Norma: Well, because they’re out of sight, out of mind. They’ve lost sense of the fact that there are people that are still hurting. There’s still fear and sometimes hard of heart of their themselves. They know sometimes we are groups from the U.S. that are very kind and generous and and completely give up and committed to help. We can’t always reach every single one of them, every single need that they have. And in the circumstances that they’re facing and the struggles and pains and suffering and so continuously every day, something that arises and that must be addressed. And let me respond to whether somebody’s been in labor and as just like the other day, we had some doctors locally that said, I want to help. Can we can you take me to the camp. And my team to to offer our services and be present assistance of support. And when we went there, different people were coming up to the doctor and saying, well, I’m hurting from here. And he was not only seeing the moms that were pregnant, but just about anybody else. So I have this pain in my back and he’s been hiding forever and I have this – And so it was amazing how one person after another would just come up to the doctor asking for what he can, guiding them up, what to do. And they’re you in pain. And she was actually pregnant 24 weeks and she was actually in labor. The doctor said, this woman is in labor, you know, and she’s she’s going to deliver very soon this baby that is 24 weeks. And if the baby’s born here in Mexico, there’s almost a guarantee that the baby will not make it. The baby will die. But in the U. S. We have the means to protect us. I actually work at this unit where we take care of babies that are born even one pound. And so the baby has a chance in the US, you know, but here I don’t think he will. And so it was so distressing to know that we couldn’t just take the baby and the mother across and says, please let her go to this hospital. I know this baby will have a chance, things like this that are happening every day. You know that it was not one pregnant mom, it’s somebody else that got hurt and that needs needing help. And it’s always been there. And it’s a life that is occurring every single day with so many issues, so many problems and so many people are so unaware of the fact that this is happening.

Aurora: What do you want them – What do you want us to remain present to, Sister Norma? That you were witnessing, that you were supporting every day? What is important for us to stay present and aware to?

Sister Norma: I would say don’t go to bed without recognizing the fact that there are other people out there hurting that need you, that you need to figure out what is your part? Because it’s all our responsibilities. If we are allowing others to hurt and to not care about, we’re responsible for the fact that they’re hurting. It is our responsibility to figure out, God – what else do you want me to do? You know, what else do you think I can do to help you God? With your people that are hurting and need me. And so I think that we cannot just simply go home and go to bed and forget about the world, because it’s our responsibility to do something about it, if it’s not, if there’s still somebody hurting, injustices are still happening. Racism is still going on. We have a job to do. No, we have to help. We do our part to respect human life.

Aurora: You know, Kelly and I usually talk about that there’s going to be a moment in time when we look back and we truly see what’s happening and we have to own and be responsible for the fact that this is happening on our watch. And so how do we step up to a greater sense of ourselves, our greater sense of humanity? And know that we are here for a reason. We are here to be with others. And to be accountable for what is in our care during our time here.

Sister Norma: Very true. It’s our time in history. We have to decide. What side will side on? The side that was defending life or the side they will just simply bury your head under the ground and say, it’s not my problem? You know, I have nothing to do with it. Where are you in history? I think we have a big responsibility to decide who we are.

Kelly: How has COVID-19, exacerbated what’s going on at the border now, sister? What does that look like?

Sister Norma: Well, you know, everybody being afraid of COVID-19, we were also concerned that if the virus would enter the camp because nobody had the virus in the camp, that it was going to be terrible because everybody was going to be sick and there was not going to be the means to take care of them like you would have anywhere else. We were very concerned and so the way the virus actually has hurt refugees, it has been because for one, the U.S. government has put a stop to any immigrants refugees enter the country. So it put everything on hold. And basically nothing is moving that nothing. They’re just waiting. When will they reopen the bridge? When will they allow open the courts again so that we can continue our hearings and hopefully maybe someday have asylum? And so there’s still that hope. The virus has put a stop to that. And so and then the side of the Mexican government, they have done the same. They’ve taken advantage of the virus as a means to say, OK, nobody can enter the refugee camp anymore. And so very conveniently for both governments, they completely disregard the human factor and say to us, well, sorry, you know, we can’t let you in, you know? And so that’s unfortunate. You know, and that’s how it has hurt the refugees, you know. And so whether it’s refugees that are just sitting there waiting for over a year and a virus because of the virus, the government has shut down their courts, you know. And the Mexican government has done the same by completely saying, well, sorry, you know, you can’t if you are trying to come in, we will not be able to allow you to enter that camp because you’re no longer an MP. And if you’re a new refugee entering coming to the border, we cannot help you either. So they’re left out, you know. And we have to figure out other ways to help this family. And so it makes it harder for those in the US that are trying to respond. And we have to reach out to kind of fill in the gaps. And those people that are falling through the cracks and being there to catch them and to putting them up in a place where they can be safe in the meantime. And so makes it hard for all of the groups that are trying to make a difference and protect them and provide humanitarian care. It’s harder for us. But we’re doing our best and reaching out to as much as we can and trying to get the help that the people need. Just more work.

Kelly: Yeah. Do you have thoughts on on how we can do better for our institutions and for our systems and what we can do as individuals?

Sister Norma: Well, as individuals, I think that we have a responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable for why they were elected, and that is to have laws and policies that respect life that, that do not contribute to human suffering. You know, I think that it’s important that it doesn’t matter who you elect. We’re just holding them accountable to make sure that what they do is what they’re supposed to do, represent them and govern all of us, you know, and not just up a political agenda. You know, and I think it’s become a it’s taking sides and it’s and, you know, I think that once you’re elected, I think you have a responsibility to protect and defend and make sure that everybody is OK, you know? And I think that’s one thing that we can do as responsible citizens with a moral conscious, making sure that our elected officials also help more conscious. And so I think that that’s one thing that we can do. And also well, other than that I think that a country definitely needs to develop a bit more of their immigration process that respects and defends our country and protects our country and at the same time protect ALL life you know that is trying to enter a country that are not criminals. And there’s two different things that are happening at the border. Does the Border Patrol does very well as far as protecting us from criminals? I think they’re very good about that. But we also need to develop a track that responds to the immigrants, refugees, families that are victims of crime. They’re entering our country to asking for safety and protection. And there’s no track for them.

Aurora: And so I have a question for you personally, Sister Norma, you know, you talk about our responsibility to elect officials that take care of the population that they’ve been entrusted to shepherd and speak on behalf of you go and take care of the families at the refugee camp. How do you take care of yourself?

Sister Norma: I have so many people that express their loving concern and care for me and constantly remind me, please take care of yourself. You know, and of course, you never see a picture of me without my mask. They were, why didn’t you have a mask? You know, you have to take care of yourself. And what are the things that I do wear the mask all the time. More than for me for the others, you know and protecting them and making sure that I’m not exposing them to anything. But, you know, one thing that I find that the camp is that the families don’t have the virus. You know, they go around among each other and they interact without the mask. Maybe some might wear a mask as children. But but really among themselves, you don’t see them sick, you know? And so I don’t know that has to do with the fact that they have a very high immune system because they’re exposed to so many other germs and everything, or just God is putting it in a special way. But in any way they I tend to take my mask got a lot of times because it gets in the way. But I remember myself is it you’re there to protect the others, so maybe you might have the virus, so you better put it off. Not for them, you know. So I do. And the way I take care of myself, like I had said earlier, I think one of them is the more time I can be able to be still and spend with God, the more I feel re energized and calm. And and then, of course, I like to spend time doing other stuff like paintings. And I like to cycle, which I haven’t done in a long, long time, and I enjoy things like that. So that really gives me an opportunity to, to feel and fill out my, my batteries similar and feel good about myself and, and ready to continue – but I tell the truth that I don’t spend time to be still and be with God and and really connect with him, I feel that I don’t have the centeredness that I need to continue another day. If I do, I’m going to drain very quickly. That’s how I see myself.

Kelly: Sister, is there a story that you could share with us that maybe tells us about one of the refugee children people that brings you hope?

Sister Norma: Most recently, there’s a particular family, this beautiful family from El Salvador that, you know, the mom just had a baby, too. Yes. I think maybe 15 days when the baby was born at the camp. The mother, actually, and the whole family. So they have a little boy, two years old, and he is called Chuylito. Because his name is Jesus Elmanuel -So Jesus a nickname used is Chuy. So because he’s so tiny, they call him Chuylito, you know. And so everybody knows him. He’s such a social person that he runs around the camp everywhere. He knows everybody. And the daddt is always after him because he he disappears and he just knows where to go get food and wait to play. He’s a beautiful person. And so I love going to this event and to spend some time with them. And the mother and the family were so ready to – wanting to leave the camp and they were trying to cross into the United States because they were they were they thought they didn’t have a chance anymore because this shut down the disiease, so they were going to dare to cross the river. And then as they were walking toward the river and the mother had the labor pains and she started to deliver the baby right there right before she crossed the river. And so this baby just dropped to the floor. You know, on the ground up. I wasn’t there at that moment, but I was in my way to enter the camp and the massive calling me, Consuela is having her baby, you know, and she’s having it right here. And so they were all scared and frightened because the baby fell. So I rushed to the hospital myself with somebody else that wanted to go take them Pampers that are clothing and things like that. And so and so we went together and we spent some time with the mother and we saw the baby was beautiful. That experience for me was so amazing. It was painful to see how they were so hopeful that maybe they could be able to be in the United States at the same time having to deal with the fear that the baby was okay. And then also the the reality that they had a beautiful baby. And so all of those emotions and it was all there. And so we were happy or sad. We’re crying. And that that experience, I think, will stay with me for a while.

Aurora: Mm hmm. Beautiful.

Kelly: Sister. For our listeners today, what would you have them opt in to do?

Sister Norma: I would have them opt in to care beyond themselves. I want them to not be afraid to come out to us to really let that fire come – show them in the extreme, beautiful ways, you know, kindness and gentlemen, send forgiveness and just let all that beautiful presence of God out, you know, let it be part of everything around you.

Aurora: Mm hmm. Beautiful. For those who ask after they have a chance to hear this story, your story get reconnected and reminded of our brothers and sisters at the border – wow can they help you? How can they fortify your efforts, the efforts of those at the border and provide support?

Sister Norma: You can connect with any one of us that is trying to make a difference in the lives of these families as refugees at the camp or in any other camp along the border there. So we appreciate not just make a difference in their lives, connect with any one of us because we’re all trying to do something. Then with your help financially would be helpful, because there’s always so many things that are needed to be paid and to be able to have put parties to have food for them, for to have water. There’s so many services that I’m going and every single day. And it doesn’t stop. It hasn’t stopped for over a year. So your help can definitely help us. You know, so any one of us is doing a fantastic job. We connect with it. It’s whatever it is that you want to help out. If you can’t, you have something to share. Well, that will be wonderful. You should.

Aurora: This has been a beautiful time with you. Sister Norma, thank you so much for everything, everything that you do. Thank you for bringing reminding us of our humanity and reminding us not to forget that we’re all one human family. And what happens to others happens to us, whether we know it or not.

Kelly: We so hope to to hug you in person. We want to be there someday soon and come visit you.

Sister Norma: You’re welcome. Anyone listening is welcome to come down at some point. You come in during the pandemic. We’ll need to quarantine you for two weeks. 

Kelly: Thank you all for listening. Find us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram @the opt in.

Aurora: Music for this episode is by Jordan McCree. And the Opt-In is produced by Rachel Ishikawa.

Kelly: See you next week.

Aurora: Bye