Christmas in Tijuana

A week into December is a common time for Christmas decorating and the holiday spirit to kick into overdrive. For Nuts Front Office member Bianca Hill, the first week of December brings about another tradition. Bianca crosses the border from San Diego to Tijuana with 6 other churches and 3,200 pairs of shoes.

This is Bianca's second year joining "Baja Family Outreach" to deliver shoes, goods, hope and love to people who desperately need it. The churches involved raise money to purchase the thousands of shoes distributed, ranging in size fitting infants to adult men. They then personally deliver them across the border in the heart of what is referred to as "the slums" of Tijuana.

The San Diego-Tijuana border serves as a line separating two geographical areas, however, it seems that it moreso serves as a line separating two entirely different worlds.

"When I saw [Tijuana] for the first time, I was taken back by how these people were living," Bianca said. "Some houses were just a cardboard shack, staggered so close to other houses they were almost on top of each other."

Upon arrival, the churches split up and spread the word about the distribution of goods that would take place the following day. Social media isn't an option for this demographic, so slips with information written in spanish are passed out to the public on where to pick up free shoes and more.

The following day, Baja Family Outreach offered hot dogs, water, juice, games, prizes, and of course shoes outside the Tijuana "colosseum" sports complex. Roughly 4,000 people lined up to receive these items.

"I expected to see poverty, but what shocked me even more was how appreciative they were, for everything and anything," Bianca said. "The families and the kids do not let the way they live affect their happiness, regardless of what they do or don't have.

Baja Family Outreach began 16 years ago.

"My brother-in-law's dad, Pastor Jonathan "Chip" Gee, started this outreach program. Sadly, he passed away last summer," Bianca said. "This mission hits close to home for me."

This year many different church families stepped up to do the planning that one man once did. She said no one could believe how much work there was to do, but together they were able to get it done.

"It was so great to have my brother-in-law, Curtis, share God's word with these people while also blessing them with shoes," Bianca said.

What Bianca enjoys most about the Baja Family Outreach mission is humbling herself and gaining a fresh perspective on the simple things in life.

"It's such a great feeling to make a positive difference in someone's life. Serve God, love people," she said. "To me, that's what it's all about."