Intimacy Across Borders: Race, Religion, and Migration in the U.S. Midwest

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments This book is, in some partial way, my story. Yet writing one’s own story is never a singular endeavor, even though those who have contributed may have had little say in its composition. For helping me immensely, then, without really knowing what was coming, I thank my parents, Ron and Peg Juffer. They have always made a home for me, and for others as well, demonstrating what it means to be part of a community. Diane Vanderbroek Daniels was the first person in Orange City who made me realize that I could find kindred souls in the Reformed Church. Her perspective on faith and activism informed much of my inquiry. Harold Heie offered similar inspiration, right at the moment when I­ really needed to believe in the project. Other people in Orange City and Sioux Center gave generously of their time: Arturo Gomez, Gianni Gracia , Silviana Segades, and Piet Koene, all of Amistad Cristiana; Mitchell Kinsinger at Northwestern College; Kelly Reyes of Community Health Partners; Kim Westerholm and Judy Hauswald of CASA; and Bob Mars, Jody Kock, and Marcie Schuiteman of Kinsey Elementary School. I also want to thank the women who trusted me with their stories, especially Lucy, Bertha, Maria, Martha Draayer, and Martha Duran. xx | acknowledgments I would not have written this book—or it would have been a much different book—without the thoughtful criticism and support of Julia Kasdorf. Many of the ideas in the pages that follow came from conversations we have had for more than a decade about religion, mothering , care of the self, the “ugliness” of theoretical language, going home, surviving in academia, and much more. Other colleagues at Penn State also offered support during my time there; thanks to Robert Caserio for annual review letters that allowed me to see my work more clearly and for supporting our efforts in Latino Studies. My co-director in Latino Studies and collaborator in so many ways, Ralph Rodriguez, taught me much about the field and let me believe a little longer in the possibilities of activism within the academy. Jeff Nealon, in his usual incisive mode, gave me timely advice and encouragement. For pushing me to think through why I needed to retain the concept of the “face to face” and for her other probing questions on the methodology of cultural studies, as well as her unflagging friendship over the miles, I thank Margaret Power. Thanks to my editor, Micah Kleit, for believing in this project, and to all the people at Temple who helped transform it into a book. Earlier versions of some of these chapters appeared in the following journals: Latino Studies (volume 6:3), Journal of Research on Mothering (volume 2:2), and South Atlantic Quarterly (volume 108:1). My two kids keep me going; they make me laugh with their wit and silliness. Thanks to Alex, whose literary inclinations are far more profound than mine, for encouraging my efforts to write creatively, and for advising me kindly when it didn’t work. And to Ezra, for the way he sees the world, all day (and night) long. Of course, none of this would have been possible without Grant. Intimacy across Borders ...