Week 6

Well this has definitely been a challenging week. I went from being completely alone to having 25 volunteers, and 87 boys. But this week I have really connected with the kids here, and they know that I will be the only familiar face to them when they return for school in August. I have helped more in this past week than ever, and it has been very tiring. We are testing out the potential new boys for the year, and it has been hard. They do not know any rules, and so it has been challenging. But the kids who were a challenge are now seen as Saints. It is really interesting to see how the new kids are interacting with the old ones. And I am now able to understand about 50% of what is being said even by the kids which is a huge improvement than when I first arrived. As my Spanish improves my English is getting worse. Because I am trying to simplify everything I say when I speak in Spanish my English is suffering, but I guess that is good because my Spanish is improving.

My last day of class was today, and tomorrow I will head back to the States for two weeks. I am very excited to see my family, and then I will participate in a ten day retreat with Mi Casa before returning to Saltillo. I am happy to have two weeks of relaxation, but a part of me feels guilty leaving the kids. Each day with them I feel like I want to do so much more for them, but there are just not enough hours in the day. And to see them smile is the most rewarding gift I have ever received. I have seen God in action here more in these six weeks than I have ever experienced in my life. I have learned how to listen and truly listen, because of my Spanish all I can do is listen really hard. I am anxious to see what this year will bring.

I cannot wait to go back to the U.S. for a brief vacation, before this next year. Because I know how hard it will be, but it will be worth the hardships because I will gain a lot more . The other day in the Chapel, we were asked what we had to give up to come here, and most of the volunteers are only here for 2 weeks, but I did not feel as though I gave up anything to come here. This is where God has placed me, and it feels do right to be here.