In September 2023, we began our journey. From Venezuela, we crossed into Colombia, paying a considerable amount of money to get through the jungle. We spent three weeks there, enduring high temperatures and food shortages. We then entered the Colombian jungle, walking for a day and a half until we reached the Panamanian border. Initially guided by a human guide, from then on our only guide was God.

The adventure intensified: two and a half days walking through mountains, crossing rivers and facing the crime that lurked in the area. We were stripped of what little we had, but we also found kind souls who gave us food to keep us going. Another two days in the jungle left us without food; it was barely enough to give a spoonful of food to each child.

At a critical moment, we encountered armed indigenous people who wanted to abuse my eldest daughter. But just when it seemed that all was lost, we were told that we were only 10 minutes away from getting out of that dreadful jungle. We boarded a boat and arrived at Lajas Blancas, a small village where we stayed for twelve days. There, we did community work to raise money to continue our journey, although we also faced stomach problems due to the precarious food.

From this small town, we left for Costa Rica. There, a hostel welcomed us for four days, allowing us to rest and regain our strength, Thank God! Then, a bus took us to the border with Nicaragua. At that point, we communicated with my mother-in-law, an extremely poor woman, but with sacrifice she sent us money which came to us as if it had fallen from heaven. There again was the merciful hand of God! With that money we crossed Nicaragua and arrived in Honduras.

In Honduras, the shortage of money led us to sleep in a tent. However, a Norwegian Foundation gave us lodging in a hotel and a check for US$ 160. We stayed there for about ten days and spent Christmas there.

On December 26, we left for Guatemala, filled with fear because of stories about the harshness of the journey through that country. It was said that the police abused the migrants. However, we never encountered an officer. The bus continued on its way. Once again, we felt that God was on our side.

Finally, we arrived in Mexico, after traveling through what seemed like ten countries. We crossed 19 cities and towns, hiding from the immigration authorities. We ran in the sun, slept on the streets and even had to sell candy and beg for money on the streets.

In the last town before arriving in Mexico City, a true miracle happened. After a cab driver tried to rob us by taking us to an unwanted place, a policeman helped us with $100.00 and a man offered us a ride, saying: “I do it for the children”. We passed in front of immigration without being detected, a patent miracle! He also left us money for breakfast.

We arrived in Mexico City after a month and a half on the road, where we stayed one day on the street and others in a shelter. God sent us an angel: a man offered us a job and a place to stay without asking for anything in return. We stayed there until we got the appointment.

But life had more trials in store for us. As we headed to Laredo for the appointment, we were kidnapped. For four days, we lived in a state of fear and desperation. We had no way to pay the $5,000 ransom demand. However, unable to pay, they released us and left us on the road in the middle of nowhere. It was a miracle that we made it to Monterrey.

There, again, the hand of God was present. We met other Venezuelans who were also on their way to Matamoros. We bought the tickets and although I was afraid that they would not let us pass without the appointment, I prayed insistently to God. It was Easter Sunday, with no obstacles at the checkpoints, we arrived at our destination. It was a journey full of prayers and hope.

In Matamoros, we found a shelter where I met Sister Marina Carrascal, a Dominican Sister of the Presentation and Father Flavio. We spent a month and a half there, waiting for a new appointment. A lady gave me a little card with the phrase “Don't give up, the miracle is yet to come” and reminded me that God never abandons us. And so it was: after seven long months, the miracle finally came.

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We thank Silvia for sharing her story. It has been a very strong experience that has marked the life of her whole family. The most important thing is that they have been able to learn valuable lessons for a new beginning and discover the presence of God who walked beside them.

Note: Silvia, her husband and three children are currently in Brownsville, Texas, with permission to work. They will now continue their journey to Chicago to settle down and start a new life.

-Sister Glenda Ortiz