Encarnacion and Margarita are devout Catholics and are friends with the Calles' family, including his son, Aco who acquired a large plantation nearby. A deadly conflict develops between Encarnacion and the Calles family. The Mendoza family flees to the safety of Texas. Eventually in McAllen, Texas, Encarnacion Mendoza and his wife Margarita Garza befriend Anselmo Longoria and both families continue their journey of assimilating into the United States culture. Their story continues as they struggle and succeed to protect their families, to become model citizens, and, in some cases, give up their lives to achieve their dreams.