"You are going to wake up and think to yourself, 'I'm in Mexico'--but you won't be anymore."
-Miguel, director of Hogar de los Angeles, on returning home after volunteering
I've been back in Federal Way since Sunday.. Wow. My last week in Mexico seriously whipped on by. I think somewhere in the back of my mind I have this delusional thought that tomorrow I will magically wake up in San Miguel, walk north two blocks down 28 de abril norte, duck through the entrance of the daycare in the early-morning cold and see the smiling faces of the teachers, moms and children. But there is a time for everything, and the time for me to be in Seattle is now.
I think I'm getting better at saying goodbyes. I mean, it's certainly sad because I wish I could have stayed longer. I wish I could have had more time with my favorite kids, playing and laughing at their antics, chatting and reading them stories. I wish I could have had more afternoons talking with Marisol while the kids slept, sprawled out with their shoes tossed hither tither around the perimeter of the mattresses. I wish I could have gone to worship service this Sunday instead of getting airsick in a jet. But the best thing is that God is going to continue doing marvelous things in San Miguel--the only bummer is that I won't be there to witness them. :) He's got Hogar de los Angeles, Gente con Proposito, all the people that I met down there--in his hands. So it wasn't that bad receiving my last hugs from Beto and Yoselin, and saying bye to Marisol.
My favorite goodbye was our last full day in San Miguel, which was Saturday. I asked my parents if we could go to the orphanage to see Fernando, Angel and Erik. It was so nice to see them! Fernando was still in isolation, but he came out to see me and we sung a few songs.. Got to push Erik around on a tricycle and he adorably pointed out and introduced to me all his older friends. Angel, as usual, went #2 in his pants and had to go get changed, but as soon as he was clean again was smiley as ever, spinning on the merry-go-round with the other boys.
As we were walking away down the dirt road I heard Ángel’s little voice cry out, “¡Abril!” I turned around and through the chain link fence I could see him on the playground, standing on the big toy, waving at me. “¡Adios!” he cried, waving to me. “Adios, Ángel,” I replied, smiling. “¡Abril!” he yelled again. “¡Adios!” It was such a happy goodbye and the image of him waving and smiling will stay in my memory forever.
What a special time, being in Mexico for 10 weeks. What more can I say? It was awesome.
This past Wednesday was the big graduation for the kids going to kindergarten! That meant saying goodbye to Erik & Angel--I started crying when they walked in wearing their suits.
Handsome Erik!
Angel with chocolate cake in hand
The dance for "El Chavo del Ocho," a Mexican sitcom
L to R: Maestra Mari, Kevin, Maestra Marisol, Emilio Miguel, Jair & Diana
The teachers doing their Western/Rodeo Dance
L to R: Ana, Mari, Adriana, Marisol
Graduates doing their dance
In lieu of dancing, Angel was given a basket of flowers, which he gleefully chucked at the other kids
Kay receiving volunteer of the year award for all her fundraising efforts
Juan Pablo with his mom, Vero
Christine & I posing with Yoselin, dressed as Chilindrina
Sweet boys that I will miss--already unwrapping their graduation gifts
This week was full of practice, practice, practice for the big graduation on Wednesday. After a disappointing full rehearsal on Tuesday, we opted out of the usual Friday trip to the park in order to get in a couple more run-throughs of speechs, songs and dances. Donna said, "You know, they tell me that they practice a lot, but when the day finally comes it always seems like they could have practiced more."
A lot of practice means a lot of time out on the patio--a lot of downtime. Earlier this week Yoselin, Diana and Jimena decided to peinarme--do my hair. After awhile, peinarme just meant tugging at my hair--three pairs of hands tugging in three different directions. Ya no, por favor, I had to ask.
Marisol with Jair, Beto & the mother of Lupita
The kids were as rambuncious as ever this week. They couldn't even pay attention to the TV anymore--not even Cars or Mulan could keep them still. Nap time was extremely trying as Fernando and Yoselin ran around the room from one casita to the next while Angel shouted out ¡Cállate!--shut up!--before commencing in sucking on his right pointer finger, as is his custom. My favorite part of this week was sitting next to Erik, trying to get him to sleep, while he's chatting away and wriggling about. Only three more days with that precious little one!
Unexpected Goodbye
Fernando meticulously "writing" Marisol's dictation of the day's weather
Friday morning as the kids were settling into their seats to get ready for breakfast, Marisol began counting heads, noting that we had ten instead of the usual eleven. ¿Quién falta? "Who's missing?" Ah.. Fernando.. Erik's voice piped in, Se fue al doctor "He went to the doctor." Soon we had in hand the doctor's note, typewritten, communicating that Fernando had hepatitis. Doctor's orders: bedrest for eight days. Bedrest for eight days=no Fernando at the graduation. Bedrest for eight days=Fernando is never coming back to Hogar de los Angeles (he's moving onto kindergarten!). I was kind of crushed and sad at this sudden news! I didn't get to say goodbye. :( Prayers for him healing quickly and a good beginning in kínder.
Fun Stuff
Curry Night with Christine and Sammy (from CA)
Had a wonderful time cooking with a couple of the volunteers on Tuedsay. Christine's mom sent her Vermont curry blocks in a care package. Mmm. It was too watery, but we didn't care. By the way, the beer is Christine's, not mine. Afterwards we watched Pride and Prejudice with Keira Knightley because Sammy was dying for anything in English--anything she could understand. We'll both be leaving on the same day; she's been great company. :)
Took a big ol' hike up to the Botanical Gardens El Charco del Ingenio today. Got lost a couple of times yet was blessed by charitable people who pointed me in the right direction. I felt my energy being restored as the sounds of the city faded away. The nature reserve is huge, with many trails and many protected species of cacti. Best of all, it was nearly deserted. The entire time I was there I only crossed paths with two other people. What a gift for an introverted, nature-addicted girl like me.
Today I was just praying and thinking about how absolutely incredible it is that I am here, that I have been able to meet so many different people and have so many new experiences. I mean, yesterday I had youth from the church over to the house--we were talking in pure Spanish. We ate popcorn and crepes with ice cream and watched 17 Again. To me that's just cool--to really feel part of the community here. To know the Mexican people here has been so awesome! I feel blessed to know each one.
The weeks seem to be getting fuller and fuller with different experiences and memories. Today there were nine new volunteers and I found myself surprised telling them, "This is my eighth week here."
Visit to Mexiquito
This past Wednesday Donna drove me out to visit Casa Hogar Don Bosco "Mexiquito," which is the orphanage where Ángel, Erik and Fernando live. It's a peaceful place with lots of room to roam. Although it make be technically labeled an "orphanage," Donna pointed out that it's more like foster care. All of the boys who live there have parents who are living, yet cannot care for them--either because of lack of resources or substance abuse problems. "You know, any of our kids at the daycare could be here," Donna explained to me, "The mother's could easily have given up their kids like the mothers of the children in Mexiquito have, but they are choosing to fight." I love that Hogar de los Ángeles makes it possible for families to stay together.
Cute Pictures of the Kids
After being here awhile the weeks become clumps of memories balled into an indistinct mass. Until now I've been very diligent, making lists at the end of the day of "moments" where I saw God in the kids--trying to be hyper-present all the time. It was a great relief when this Friday a pastor from Texas prophesized over me saying, "And don't worry so much about remembering everything--God will bring them to mind and will remind you of how he loved you, how he loved through you, when you need it." So now I just enjoy and let the moments pass by, absorbing them--not desperately grabbing at them.
Jose Maria and Beto in matching cachucas
Juan Pablo and Yoselín doing rompecabezas
The Late Pick-Up Bunch: Brisa, Beto & Yoselín sitting on the bookshelf
Believe it or not, I have only a week and a half left with these kids! August is the time for graduations and the beginning of a new school year--many kids will move on to kínder (Erik, Fernando, Ángel, Brisa), teachers will change classrooms and perhaps even daycare centers (I have a hunch that Marisol will be transferred to the Santa Julia daycare, where I will dutifully and cheerfully follow her). Time is precious with these precious little ones!
Fine Arts
Cuyos Quartet from Morelia, who played a mix of Mozart and Mexican tunes
Earlier last week I went to a couple of free concerts as a part of the Festival Internacional de Música de Cámara which feature young hotshot musicians from around Mexico playing chamber music. The musicians were all incredibly talented, and it was such a relief to think in neither Spanish nor English--to think musically! Teatro Ángela Peralta is a small, but quite classy performing arts center and the audience was filled with many gringos jubilados--retired Caucasian Americans. It was pretty awesome.
Adventuresome Eating
Sope de Panzita y Quesadilla de Raja
Was so psyched to eat me some more street food yesterday after church! Right nearby is a tarp-covered area by the side of the road with tables, chairs and a handful of women in aprons gathered around a portable grill of sorts. By the time I got there after service was over, all the chicken was gone, which was no matter for me. With gusto I chomped down a sope of stomach lining (I think it was pork?) and a quesadilla filled with delectable spicy green chiles. Accompanying me was Laura, the 12-year old daughter of a couple of leaders in the church, Angelina and Alberto (nicknamed Beto). She's soft-spoken and quite timid, but she has a big heart for little kids. Last Thursday she even came in to volunteer at the daycare! :)
As we were waiting for the food to arrive, I saw in the cemented stone siding, hidden under some ivy a teensy mouse. ¡Un ratón!--"A rat!" I cried out to her, laughing. It scampered along the wall, plummeted into the brush and was never seen again.
At the Movies--Mexican Style
Later on Laura and I walked up to the "mall" named La Luciérnaga to watch for the first time Toy Story 3. Sadly enough, it was already gone from the theater--we've got a bootlegged copy of it at the daycare already, so I guess it's old news. We ended up watching Despicable Me in Spanish, which was retitled Mi Villano Favorito. Watching it, I was struck at how, if I hadn't known otherwise, I would have thought this movie was made originally in Spanish the dubbing was so well done! Afterwards I asked Laura what part she liked best and she said, "Everything!" I thought it was pretty good, but nothing can beat Pixar.
Luckily, I didn't end the night disappointed! After some delicious enchiladas and horchata, Amanda (another volunteer) and I watched her pirated copy of Toy Story 3 together while tossing a spit-covered tennis ball for Noela (the dog she's sitting) to go fetch. I must say, the bootleg quality was pretty splended--the audio track was in Spanish but all the writing, quite puzzlingly, was in Ukranian. Despite how far the copy was from its original form, though, by the end both of us were tearing up at the sight of Woody being given to a new owner.
Thanks!
At Parque Juarez with Emilio and Ángel
Thanks so much for reading my blog, leaving comments, sending packages & letters, supporting me in your prayers. If you can't tell, I'm having a great time here, and can't wait to blog more about my adventures in the coming weeks!
Another week gone by! Got another case of Traveler's Diarrhea but other than that am no worse for wear. I think that I am starting to learn and that God is changing me! On Tuesday Fernando threw all his juice onto my pants because he was angry at me, and I just calmly walked away to tell Marisol instead of reacting to him. On Friday when he started squirming to avoid changing into clean clothes, instead of fighting with him I played with him, making sound effects for his clean pants and socks that were alive and chasing him.
Things are even more chaotic because two kids from the younger class, José Maria (nicknamed "Chema") and Brisa moved into our class so the grand total so far is 10 kids, soon to be 11 when Emilio Miguel returns from vacation. More kids=More chaos. Marisol has been great, though, adjusting without even blinking.
This is the Way We Brush Our Teeth
Top L to Bottom R: Juan Pablo, Jair, Dayron and Yoselin
We (try to) brush teeth every day after breakfast, and it's so adorable to see them looking up at me through the mirror for my approval. ¿Así? "Like this?" asks Dayron before brushing only the front. After a couple of minutes I say, Y ahora yo por cinco segundos. "And now me for five seconds." When I try to brush Jair's teeth he always chomps down on the brush so I can't move it. This Friday was his birthday and the daycare gave him a stuffed animal and a toy truck that he proudly displayed to his brother, Geovani. When it came time to turn on the tele (TV) I asked Jair, ¿Qué quieres ver? (What do you want to watch?) ¿Shrek, Cars, Mulan? "Mulan!" he declared, and when the ending credits rolled and the Spanish version of "True to Your Heart" started playing, he bobbed up and down (his version of "dancing") to the beat with a smirk on his face.
Cooking for Friends
Yesterday I made chicken teriyaki for Pastor Tomás, his wife Cristina and the youth of the church. I made it exactly the same as in the States--they've got mirin at the store Bonanza! But then I had to go to the Mega to get the checken and to Espino's to get ginger. I'm going to appreciate Albertson's so much when I get home (one stop shopping really is a luxury!). Anyway, they all seemed to like it, although Jonathan joked, "Where are the tortillas? Where are the beans?" We talked about Japanese culture and Carlos asked me about how Japanese people can't pronounce l's. Cristina talked to me about how she thought it was so cool how they fight with samurai swords and then Tomás got all embarassed for her and said, "No, no, not anymore Cristina." I just laughed and said, Sí, mi abuelo tiene espada, pero no la usa. "My grandpa has a sword but he doesn't use it!" For me, chicken teriyaki is such a comfort food so it made me really happy and made me think about my family. Btw, my parents are coming to visit me in three weeks!!! Yay!!
Praise from Isaiah 6
I'll leave you with this--I just sat for awhile with the lyrics of this song today and it really ministered to my heart:
Santo, Santo, SantoDios Todopoderoso
Quien fue, quien es y quien vendrá Con la creación yo canto Al Rey de Reyes Tu eres Digno Y yo te adoro
Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord God Almightly
Who was, who is and is to come
Kay Miller (the lady w/ whom I live & coordinator of the fundraiser)
& Donna (founder of the daycare & pretty much awesome)
So this week has been a bit unconventional. Saturday we had our big fundraiser, which was a silent auction. They started out with bare, wooden boxes & asked local artists to decorate them as they desired! If you look closely in the picture, one was converted into a Chanel purse! Anyway, basically most of this week was dedicated to logistical planning, setting up, etc. for the big event! And thankfully, it was pretty successful!
Live music group, Tuna Tradicional, that performed at the fundraiser.
They play traditional Spanish music.
Making Connections
This week has been especially relational and God has been making so many connections for me as I feel more and more "plugged in" to the community here in San Miguel. A summary of sorts:
Christine & I manning the merch table @ the fundraiser
Met Christine this week, who's been a volunteer since August of last year. And yes, she is Taiwanese..and yes, she learned English in the U.K. (How odd it is to hear an English accent with a Chinese accent at the same time!) I've had the chance to talk to her quite a bit & hear her story. She's a very interesting person.. On the weekends she sometimes goes out to seven bars in one night, not returning until seven in the morning; she loves to meet people--just very different from me! Surprisingly, though, she accepted my invitation to go to youth group on Friday and asks me questions about being "religious." (Do they forbid you to drink? What about sex?) She's very warm, friendly and open. Looking forward to getting to know her better!
At conversation practice at the library I met a young man named Alejandro, who's practically fluent in English already! His dream is to go to film school at USC and is currently creating an epic romantic movie in order to get in. The coolest thing, though, is that randomly today I bumped into him walking in his neighborhood in Malanquin. That was a really cool feeling to be able to see someone I knew--made San Miguel feel smaller and more "home-y." :)
This past Wednesday I went to the Church's Adult Bible study. It was so neat to meet more of the leaders in the church: Alberto, Arturo, Fernando & their families, and to be surprised once again at how God is the same God in all parts of the world. I am inspired at their wisdom and desire to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. The Bible study is based out of Hebrews, the beginning of chapter six, which talks about the fundamentals of the Christian faith.
Friday at youth group I saw Jose, whom I met last week and Vanesa, whom I met on Wednesday. It's great getting to know these young people and their backgrounds. Jose was born in the U.S. but lived in Texas for seven years so it's completely fluent in English. He happened to meet the Martinez (the pastor's) family only a few weeks ago but has been coming to youth group ever since. Vanesa is a talkative and lively young girl who is hoping to go to the U.S. for college, but legally, which is a lot of work (she said they test you to see if you can sing "The Star Spangled Banner!")
This past Sunday I was able to spend a lot of time with Cristina & Tomas (the pastor & his wife), who now call me their hija japonesa (Japanese daughter) and consider themselves my padres mexicanos (Mexican parents). Cristina shared about how she became a Christian her first year of college through a pastor from Texas, how she grew up with a father who was violent with her mother, who was herself absent and distant. She shared about a near-death experience she had when recently married to Tomas, and how the Lord spoke to her about her rebellious heart, how she was not really following him--and how from that point onward she was never the same.
Ministry in All Places
Although this week I didn't have much time with the kids, I still felt like in a lot of ways I was ministering to people by listening to them, getting to know them! I still felt like I was doing God's work--that my time here and my service here is in all places, not just when I am at Hogar de los Ángeles. And that's something really incredible and beautiful to me. Every moment is an opportunity to love someone, whomever the person you're with at the moment. :)
Week four down! This week was especially exhausting because all three of the kids who were out with the chicken pox (Emilio, Yoselín and Roberto) came back, guns blazin'. Let me tell you, there is a big difference between having six kids, and having nine kids. Please see Exhibit A:
Sometimes the days start like this and just keep on going. So much craziness.. I think the most chaotic times are eating (they hit with their forks, throw plates, spit up food, you name it), toothbrushing time (I call them one by one to step up onto a wooden crate--sometimes they're cooperative, a lot of the times they're not) and nap time (the day this video was taken three refused to sleep and ended up running around the room for two hours instead). Seriously, I don't know how Maestra Marisol does it every day. Seriously. Here are some pictures from this week!
Dance Practice
L to R: Emilio, Dayron, Juan Pablo, Kevin, Beto (Roberto), Jair, Jose Maria, Jael
Every day this week the kids have been practicing a special performance for the graduation ceremony on August 18th. They'll be honoring the kids who will be entering kínder. All three boys from the orphanage--Ángel, Erik and Fernando--will be graduating!! They will be singing a sentimental song about spreading their wings and flying to new horizons. :) The remaining kids, though, as pictured above, will be doing a special dance to a song from the popular sitcom show "El Chavo de Ocho," dressing up as the different characters. They have to place their hands behind their backs and kick out their legs in rhythm to the music. It's really adorable. However, getting them to dance takes a lot of threatening of punishment from the teachers if they don't (being put up in one of the high chairs for the babies) and reminding them of the reward they get if they do (gummy bears).
A Child's Imagination
Dayron and Erik pretending to be babies
I've been struck by how imaginative the kids are! After dance practice Erik and Dayron asked to be put into the wooden high chairs in order to be babies, saying "Nyeh-nyeh!" to each other as their form of baby talk. When we went to the park this Friday Erik pretended to be a dad with Dayron as his son. "¡Hijo!" ("Son!") he called out in his high-pitched, scratchy voice. "¡Sí, Papá!" ("Yes, Father!") Dayron answered in return. And basically, the kids can make a casita (little house) out of anything--underneath tables, in corners, on the playground. Ask them what's in the house and they'll tell you everything: carros (cars), caballo (horse), on and on and on.
L to R: Erik, Emilio, Beto and Martitia enjoying their fruit snack before nap time
Things that keep me sane..
If you can't already tell by all the videos and all that I've been posting about, work can be pretty overwhelming sometimes. Here's a list of the things that have been keeping me sane:
1. Excursions!
Last Saturday I went with the director, Miguel, and a group of volunteers from Illinois to go horseback riding in the mountains! It was epic--in three hours we crossed rivers, dodged cacti, made it through rocky terrain and even galloped through a small lake! The mountains are beautiful and wonderfully untouched by civilization. Also, if you yell really loud, your voice echoes. All that bumping along and holding on for dear life really bonded us all together, and after all that riding we drank beer and ate cactus with gusto.
2. Conversation Practice
This Thursday I started going to "Conversaciones con Amigos" at the public library which give both English and Spanish speakers an opportunity to help each other out! Being able to practice Spanish was great, but even better was meeting people in the community. I met three girls (one of whom is from Portland!) who are down here taking Spanish classes. I met Magdalena, José and Alberto, who have all lived in San Miguel de Allende all of their lives. The meetings are twice weekly and I'm hoping to go as much as humanly possible!
3. Church
Hotel Misión El Molino, meeting place of Gente con Propósito--
continue down the path and enter the doors to the right
About a couple of weeks ago I started going to a small, bilingual church that meets up at the top of a big, big hill Sundays at 11am. The Martinez family that leads is wonderful. Tomás, the father, is the pastor of the church and his wife Cristina does a fair bit of shepherding as well. Their three kids Cristi, David and Rebeka comprise a majority of the worship team and all speak both English and Spanish. From the beginning they have welcomed me with open arms, going to lunch with me after church and inviting me to their youth group, which meets on Friday. This past Friday we visited one of the retirement homes to talk with the people, sing some songs and hand out a buttload of cookies. :) Then we played soccer and watched The Princess Bride. It seems like youth groups are identical around the world. Haha!! But I'm so thankful for this faith community. The Martinez family is such a strong family of God and are so united in their ministry. On Sundays I am really moved by just how THANKFUL they are to the Lord for everything and how they just PRAISE him with such sincerity. It really is like having a home church--what a blessing!
4. Family
It's been so nice to talk with my parents miles away from Skype! My dad's birthday was this past Monday and even though it was sad not being in Seattle, through technology I was able to talk with him and to see pictures from his birthday party! And it's been a pleasure receiving letters, hearing about what my aunts & uncles & cousins are up to. :) I'm so thankful for my family! My Auntie Sharon set up a prayer schedule so every day someone in my family is praying for me. Isn't that awesome??
Prayer Requests
1. To Remain in Christ (John 15)
With so much going on and exhaustion from work, it's been hard to really take the time to sit and listen to the Lord and enjoy his presence. And yet, this is so necessary. Without the Lord I can't do a thing: I burn out, I end up just trying to "get through" each day instead of living fully, gratefully with him.
2. To Learn to Wash Feet (John 13)
Sometimes I get these thoughts that I am "above" the work that I should be doing--that what I'm doing is inconsequential because heck, these kids aren't going to remember me. Or sometimes I wish I were doing "real" work, talking with the mothers, being a social worker and advocating for them, etc. Anyhow, my prayer is that I would be content with the spoon-feeding and urine-soaked clothes-changing and tooth brushing that is the day to day of what my volunteer position is, and to not underestimate small acts done with great love (--Mother Teresa, you are incredible).
Thanks to all who are reading this and accompanying me on this incredible journey!
