Well, I have had an interesting couple of day...in a good way this time!! Saturday, some of the team went down to La Paz (some of the team is a little sick with colds and head aches, so pray for them), and we ate salteñas! These are amazing little pot pie type things...almost like a hot pocket, but like 600 times better. There are vegetarian, chicken, beef, and all kinds. They were incredible and it was great to just sit with my team and new friends to just hang out and enjoy time together. We were then going to go bowling. Here, bowling consists of a building 2 lanes wide, smaller ball, smaller pins, and after every bowl, kids jump down on the end of the lane and adjust the pins for you. SADLY, it was closed all morning. We decided to go to the Museum of Modern Art instead which was great. We then enjoyed time sitting on a park bench together for an hour or two in the bright sun!
Sunday, I went to church with the kids, and even though I love the singing and the atmosphere and the charisma of the preacher, I still haven´t learned enough Spanish to fully understand what the sermons are about. This Sunday is the anniversary of the church, so a VERY funny and interesting thing occured after church. Directly after offering was taken and the songs stopped, it went directly into a community meeting about who was cooking what and what times everything was happening. There was little volunteer and much debate over time, so the meeting lasted about an hour after church. So, church begins at 10:30 and we all left at around 1:30. It was a pretty tense, but great experience. I look forward to this Sunday´s celebration!
Monday, we went back to Missionaries of Charity. Yes, I went with a little apprehension about the day, but it went great. I helped the women make their beds, sweep and mop the floors for a couple hours, then worked on a craft. We ran into the mom of the baby, and I asked her how she was doing and she said well. We have since learned she has lost one other baby and has 7 children. So, although she is recovering, she still has a tough life. She is very poor and works to support her seven children and alcoholic husband. I also learned the baby was only allowed to be there because she worked there. They normally do not take children under the age of 1.
This morning, the team, our servant team coordinator, Cara, and I did team building. We played so many games that taught us so much about ourselves. In all, it was a GREAT time to play these challenges and just hang out. I am really enjoying my community here with new friends and new family. They are friends I have already learned a lot from and about, and they are people I truly look up to and aspire to be like...when i grow up! (I am the youngest, so I can still say that!) Well, I am still having a small struggle with missing home, but I have really appreciated the support from my community at home, church, and school. Without this community of support, I would not be where I am today, physically in this place, emotionally stable, or spiritually seeking God´s heart for the poor of Latin America. Thank you!
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Oh Kelly!!! Thank you so much for these photos. My mind was teaming with questions about your special 2nd family before I had photos to actually picture some of them but now.... man--they are with me big time. I need more pictures ha!!!
The picture of Cipriana made me cry. She is beautiful. I see that; it shines from her. I see her beauty and her heartbreak. I see her faith and her weariness. She has worked so very hard so long. I looked at the photo of Nancy and I could see Cipriana in Nancy's face. I am sure she looked much like Nancy when she was 5.
I hurt for Cipriana so much. Is Juan's father the same man who has left her and taken with him her younger boys? The little one is 7 just a bit older than Nancy. He is so far away when he needs a mother's hug -- how old is the other boy who is gone with his father? I think and think about this as I go through my day --- if this husband is Juan's father too then he and Cipriana have been together over 18 years. I am praying for a healing in that family.
What would you like to get for Sarah? Maybe I can get it and mail it to you. I've wanted to send you a box and the more I thought the more I knew the box would have to have things for these special people I am growing to care for through your words and pictures. And some nice toy like a Kong for Tarzon. He is soooo cute. Take it easy!! We are pulling for you.
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