Week 5

Well week 5 was quite interesting. After a very eventful weekend, Monday and Tuesday was very calm, and I enjoyed it a lot. It has been very quiet around here, but now it is very different. On Thursday afternoon I got to participate in the Saltillo Parade to promote the Saltillo Fair with Yayo, Packo, and Juan Pablo. It was a lot different than any other parade I have seen. We were on a flatbed of a truck with about 30 kids, and no rails. It was very Mexican, and a lot of fun. Except we all got sunburned. Then I went to see Harry Potter, which was o.k., we go to a lot of movies here on our time off. And the movies are very cheap as well about $3.50 a movie.

After a long night with Harry Potter, about 25 volunteers arrived on Friday. After being in a community of about 9 for 3 weeks, and then I have been alone for a 10 days, it is a huge adjustment. The volunteers are from all over Mexico to help with our summer program. They are all very friendly, but I am not use to being around this many people in Casa Hogar. Today along with all the volunteers, we will have 87 boys. Many of the boys are from this past year, but we have about 25 new boys testing out Casa Hogar. If they like it they will stay for the year starting August 24. I am excited to see the kids again I miss them.

On another note, I have taken on the streets of Mexico. Yayo taught me to drive the Eurovan in our neighborhood, the first time was not so great, but the second time I did much better. Driving a standard Eurovan was a challenge. But in the night I got to drive to the fair, which was quite an adventure. I drove all the male volunteers in huge Suburban, I felt like a Soccer Mom. But they were all very helpful, and the fair was very much like the fairs in the states. Rides, cotton candy, and food. The difference is that they last almost all night, when we were leaving around 11 the majority of the crowds started to come in.

Today we are all just anxiously awaiting for the kids, to have a fun week of classes, then field trips in the afternoon. I too have class in the morning, but this is my last week. I will be finished with my class on Thursday, but I will continue with them in September. My teacher is a very delightful woman, and every Friday she takes me out and shows me the city. It will be strange not to see her on a daily basis, but once my year of Volunteering starts, I will only have one morning to myself, which I will be spending in class. My Spanish is still coming along nicely, but slowly I am still praying each day to learn a little bit more.

Each day I thank God for this opportunity. It has truly been a blessing, and I cannot imagine my life any other way. The people of Mexico are very giving, and unlike anything I have ever experienced in the States. I think they would give me the shirt off their back if they knew I needed it. They have taught me what it is really like to be Christlike. And I hope to one day be as giving as they have been to me.

On Friday I am very excited, my wonderful family has decided to meet me in Austin, Texas where I will spend a few days relaxing before heading down to San Antonio for orientation with Mi Casa Foundation for 10 days. On August 8th my year in Saltillo, Mexico will officially begin!