Week 2

As I sit here and relfect on the past week I think about the boys who live here, and the lifestyle they are living at home, and I wonder what they are doing. The must be back in time for church at 5:00, but many of them are often late. This past week the children have been bouncing off the walls ready for school to be over.

On Monday I got to visit my first Mexican Health Clinic, and no it was not for me. I wanted to go with Alejandro to get his stiches removed from his eyebrow, (he fell on the corner of a step at school, because he was not lisenting to the teacher, when she told him to stop playing in the line) and just to get out of the house for an hour or two. And so Sandi, Alejandro, and I made the trek to the Clinic. Of course we had to wait two hours, and bedtime was getting close for Alejandro, plus we did not want to sit and wait in their much longer, although Alejandro enjoyed it because he got to watch t.v. which he does not have the luxury of at Casa Hogar. Anyway Sandi told them we were from Casa Hogar and Alejandro had to get home to go to bed. Once they were aware of his situation they instantly took him back to the room where he would get his stitches removed with Sandi. But then Sandi suddenly came back to the waiting room to wait to do all the paperwork. And 10 minutes later Alejandro walked back into the waiting room and sat on my lap with the stitches removed from his eyebrow. I could not imagine being 6 years old in a hospital all alone with getting my stitches out. But he acted as if if was no big deal, and to me it was so sad, that he did not have anyone back there to hold his hand, and he didn´t need anyone. But this is just one of the many stories that I must endure. And that day Alejandro taught me how to be brave.

This past week we also had to deal with another boy in Chicos A who did not return from home till Wednesday and he missed 3 days of school. They are very strict about going to school because it teaches the children disciple, and then his mother failed to pick him up, and he was forced to stay here this weekend. I feel so horrible for these children, and often so helpless at times. Because I am not their parents, and techniqually I am not a volunteer here until August when my year starts. But it is hard not to form a bond with all these kids. My pray time has grown since I moved here, becuase sometimes it is the only way to get through the hour or day.

On Wednesday we combined half of Chicos B into the dorm with Chicos A, because TJ and Maribel have left for their 3 week vacation where they will be visiting another Orphnage in Gomez. But Sandi cannot handle all of Chicos B so they youngest ones of the group came to us, so now there are 23 boys in the dorm and it is crazy. But all in all the older ones are really a huge help because they remember the rules and are a great role model for the younger ones, who somehow forget the rules on a daily basis.

My Español is coming along nicely, I am starting to understand the kids more and more each day, especially the older ones. While Gladys was teaching me some of the words in Español one of the boys came to me and said, "Her Spanish is not that good and neither is mine" but he said it in Spanish and we all just laughed. The little boys are hard to understand because half of the time they are not speaking correctly, but somehow I manage to figure out what they need or want. I cannot believe I have been here for two weeks already, the time really has flown by. I am sure my year here will fly by quickly as well.

We are about to have our weekly Sunday meeting, and then we are having hambugers, and I am so excited, because I have been eating quesadillas and Mexican food for two weeks and I miss American food so badly. God Bless

Learning to Relax

I cannot belive it will soon be two weeks since I have been here. My Spanish is impoving each day, and I am very grateful for that. So far today nothing too exciting has happened, but the kids just got out of school less than an hour ago. So I am sure it will be an eventful evening. The kids are having a small fiesta this afternoon, because not one of them got sent home with a report from school. So after having very rough past week the kids were finally good for their teacher, in the last few days of school.

I having been walking to and from my Spanish classes each day, and the weather is beautiful in the morning, hot in the afternoon, and chilly at night. We are in rainy season so it rains for about 5 to 10 minutes a day. As I walk to and from school, I have been noticing my surroundings. The people in Mexico are very relaxed. They truly are just living in the moment and it is so nice to be a part of that culture. As I walk my 20 minutes the time seems to go very quickly when I am not constantly worried about my next step. I have very little anxieties which is a very big difference from what I was used to with my life in Florida. I tend to worry quite a lot, but here I rally have no worries, I am just living in the moment.

Since I have been to Mexico I have spent less than $20 and it feels good. They have been taking very good care of me while I am here. The food is ok, the children have beans and soup at every meal, and if we choose to eat with the kids we must also eat beans and soup. So instead I have been suriving of quesadillas, chilles rellanos, and tacos just to name a few. But all the food is homemade so it is always a good meal.

On another note, the children will be out of school next week, and so they are bouncing off the walls with excitemt. And then they go home for two weeks, and then come back for summer program. The kids are excited for summer and the camps that we provide. It amazes me how much these boys are in school. I remember complaining about our 9 weeks summer vacation, but these boys only get about a 6 weeks, but during those six weeks two of which are spent here in the summer program which is to keep their mind refreshed with school. So they are basically in school again which is crazy to me. But if they are not in school, they will be out on the streets. Another intersting thing to me is that once the kids are in fourth grade, they will start their trade. It is a weird site to see a 9 year old in the workshop. But in time I will get use to that.

It is just very different here, but I love the mentality of the boys, volunteers, and the brothers. Everyone is very relaxed even when there are 60 boys running around and yelling. I am blessed to be here and I am learning to be more relaxed like the people of my new home.

Week One

It has been a week, but it seems like only yesterday I arrived in Saltillo. The Spanish classes have been very helpful, but I can only understand the language it is hard for me to speak, but I am sure it will all come in due timing. I have picked up on the commands to tell the children, "Baja los todos"(elbows off the table), "Bañate"(go to the showers),"Ven aqui´!" (come here) just to name a few. Starting this Lunes, tomorrow I will only be spoken to in Enpañol by the other volunteers. This will be a challege but I know I can do it.

Being the first week here my excitement of the new city is starting to wear off. As I hear the many stories behind each niño who is here. They all have a purpose to be here even though many would rather be at home where their parents are usually absent and they spend their time on the streets. It was difficult to see them go on home Friday night, because they are out of hands and our routine.

For each boy who is here they must meet three requirements: 1. Their guardian cannot financially support them. 2. The must meet with a psychologist who is on staff here at all times during the day. 3. They must have a place to go on the weekends whether it is with a mother, father, aunt, uncle or grandparent. The boys enjoy their time at home because they have no rules.

Anyway in each of their faces I can truly see the face of Christ. They have taught me some much in this past week. They have so little, yet they cherish a smile, hug, and being with their friends who are like their brothers. I have also learned how spirtual the Mexican volunteers and Brothers are. Each one has their own story as to why they are here to help their fellow people. Many of the volunteers are fresh out of high school, and dedicate their life to a year of service. Which many young Americans would never think to live in these conditions at age 18. It is truly beautiful to see them interact with the children, and how the children love them. As their year of volunteering comes to an end they are sad to be leaving the children, but they have all expressed their love and what an honor it was to be here.

As I continue on in my classes although it can be frustrating, but we have a Chapel on site we have access to 24 hours a day, and we can expose the Blessed Sacrament at any time we feel compelled. I have not taken an opprotunty to do so, but I know there will be many nights in the future where I will need to visit the Chapel and send my alone time with Christ. I find myself having many more conversations with God since I arrived here and it is very comforting to know I always have someone to talk to and will listen to me.

Night before my trip

I am still not packed and ready to go but I will be as soon as I get off the computer. Please keep me in your thoughts and prayers as a start this new adventure in my life. I know how powerful prayer can be, and this is going to be the biggest challenge in my life. I will keep you all posted about my new life in Mexico. God Bless