More on our Kids

Last friday I went to the mission on my own.  As I came down from lunch I entered upon the children acting out provocative sexual dance moves.  I almost lost my composure.  I tried to explain that was not a way to respect oneself and that just because you see family members dancing that way does not make it appropriate. They know that I love to dance so I explained that I don't dance that way.  However the environment was not exactly conducive to a teaching moment since the kids were mortified having been caught.  Later that day one of the girls again was acting out this same sexual dance move.  I took her aside and sat face to face with her.  I tried to explain to her that acting in such a way was not respecting herself and that God loves her so much that he wants the best of life for her.  I told her that God loves her body, mind and spirit and wants her to treat herself with great respect and care and act in a way to demand respect from boys (the body being a temple for the Spirit of God being on the forefront of my mind).  She clearly understood and expressed desire that boys respect her.  This was a great relief that she understood this concept.  I told her how much I loved her and that was why I was taking the time to talk to her.  She nodded her head in affirmation gave me a big hug and a kiss on the cheek.  I think that was the best that conversation could have gone, when talking to a 9 year old.  

That same day I finally realized that Santiago, at 10 years old, is illiterate.  He doesn't know the spanish alphabet.  You can imagine how frustrating and embarrassing that could be for him when we are asking him to know the English alphabet and spell words in English.  This is an enormous key to his disciplinary problems.  I am a bit sick that it took five months for me to realize this.  I don't know how this escaped us 'till now.  I suppose looking back on it, I just thought he was being indignant and uncooperative. The second occurrence being that we didn't begin using the whiteboard (written material and exercises) until three weeks ago.   

This Wednesday I had to put Santiago in time-out.  When it was time for him to return to the group I had spoken with Father Jose for permission to give Santiago lessons in the alphabet and spelling.  Father Jose gave me a notebook, a pencil and his blessing.  I sat down in front of Santiago on the floor.  I looked at him and told him that I understood why we were having such issues during class and asked if he would like me to help him learn the spanish alphabet and how to spell.  With his eyes to the ground he nodded his head yes.  I asked if he would work with me so that I could help him, again he nodded his head yes.  I directed his gaze to my eyes by gently tilting his chin up.  I looked him in the eyes and told him that I loved him, gave him a kiss on the forehead and told him that I would help him and that I needed his help.  He seemed to understand so I sent him back into class.  

So class went quite well that day.  However when it was time to go out to play, that was another story.  The previous day the mother of some of our students had come by the mission and expressed how she didn't want the children (her children) to play in the road anymore because there is too much traffic and too dangerous.  Makes sense, but after five months why now?  Well, I had already had the same concern so I brought it up with the Father and asked to take them to the other side of the school.  He was fine with it.  So the process to getting to the other side of the school (about 50 meters or less away) was trying.  I didn't realize what a struggle it would be to break these kids out of there routine.  Heaven forbid I love them enough to not want them plowed down by a motorcycle or car.  The following 10 minuets was a trial and failure of my patients as the kids one after another and in unison began to whine and complain and put on their bratty faces about how horrible this new place was to play.  Good grief, less traffic, more peaceful and we wouldn't have to dodge the hoard that comes down the hill when school lets out.  Well, it wasn't my finest hour as I lost my temper and declared that we would not be playing that day and ordered everyone to return to the mission.  

My temperature was up and so to cool off I  took a break in the back.  It was at this point that Audra and I had an impromptu teacher-director meeting with Father Jose Romero.  In this discussion we identified some of the individuals who would benefit from a tutorial of the alphabet, reading and writing.  Being that the kids are entering into a three week break we decided that upon returning to their regular school schedule we will separate those who need this extra help and hold their classes in a separate room.  It is ironic that we came to teach English and what they actually need is to know how to manage their native language.  

Now don't misunderstand me, Santiago still has some major disciplinary issues to work through, but I can't help but assume that taking care of this literacy issue will go a long way to helping him out as well as the other children.  In this meeting Father Jose told us that Dylan's mom is in prison.  For what, I don't know, but that is most likely why he has taken to calling me "mama" lately.  I discourage him calling me this.  Is that the right direction to take?  It was also explained that many women of this community support themselves through prostitution and their children were not planned and don't know who the father is.  This makes for a very complicated situation.  So here we are as strangers in this country serving as mentors to children from this kind of environment.  What are we to do? I am trying to strike a balance between the love of fun and laughter and discipline, especially in terms of respect.  It is a hard line to walk. I just pray that the Episcopal missionaries, Audra and I and the missionaries to follow, can give these children an opportunity to better their lives. I love these children and want them to succeed in the world.  The cards seem to be stacked against them, however in a world where God lowered himself into flesh as Christ who suffered and died that we may have life abundant, their is hope for every child.  I hold on to this hope of Christ's transformative grace. 

Blessings and Peace to All

The Bus Ride

I don't remember if I have described the process of getting to the Mission.  It is an hour and a half bus ride one way.  My first month or two here I was battling with motion sickness/nausea practically every time I got into any moving vehicle including taxies and worse yet buses.  I think it is some reaction to a blessed life driving myself around almost everywhere back home.  So the prospect of 2.5-3 hours in a bus every time we would go work with the kids was hard to swallow.  Thanks be to God, after five months of making this journey, my body has decided to cooperate.  I wish I could make the time more productive, say by reading or writing something (my body says NO! to that),  or perhaps meditation and or prayer... that has yet to come anywhere near to working out... too many distraction?  I suppose.  I did successfully complete one Seduco puzzle (easy seduco)  but I totally blocked when I started the second puzzle and haven't tried it again.  So basically it is just time to let my mind wander about as it pleases.  Audra and I usually end up sitting in different seats when we have the opportunity to each have a window seat.  She and I try to reason that a window seat helps alleviate the nausea.

 It is amazing what you can witness in an hour/half bus ride.  At any moment along the ride someone might board the bus, hop over the turn-stile and pass around candies or music to sell.  I especially enjoy when someone lugs in a harp, a guitar or a boom-box to accompany a home-mixed rap about their life.  All of these are people's way of making some money.  Unlike in the states, where we have a host of social relief programs, food stamps, half-way houses, churches to give out lunches, etc, it is not that simple here.  I am not at all forgetting those who do fall through the cracks; however, when it comes to South America you can't talk about cracks, you must speak in terms of gorges reminiscent of  the Grand Canyon.   So what does the situation look like?  It is too big and complicated for me to get a clear visualization.  There are factors like the government  just doesn't have the infrastructure or preparedness to deal with so much poverty.  For example when you get 1,000;s or 10,000 displaced because of waring and Gorillas what are these folks supposed to do to survive?  What opportunities exist for them? I have no idea where to start asking for such answers. 

 It would be completely overwhelming and not possible to give money to everyone who comes in need.  So I have struck a balance.  One: I have chosen to donate to folks who serve us with lovely music, with well hewn talet.  My three favorites to date... A harpist (I was going to donate to this one when I saw him lug that huge thing over the turn-stile), a female guitarist and vocalist (she was playing in a packed rush-hour bus and received a strong round of applause and some pretty sweet tips), the third was a rapper and his boom-box (he was actually really good and I understood every word).  However my favorite is when someone steps aboard with nothing at all but themselves.  They have no chocolates, gums, CD's or music.  These individuals stand up in front of complete strangers and after greeting the crowed they start into their recent life stories of how they got to be where they are (in their need).  They are all in need, many have families and everyone of them want to be in better circumstances.  There is no better source to learn about the human trials of fallen fortune.  The folks that I choose to donate to are the men and women who have enriched my life for having heard their stories.  I have heard stories from a number of men who had been in prison. One man who had been in prison for stealing for sake of need, he had determined to not resort to stealing and was so in front of us asking us to help.  One women who was going from bus to bus trying to get enough money together to get her child the surgery she needed (Medicare does not exist here).  And just the other day a man who, with his family, had moved to Bogotá (I missed the reason for this move) and was now living on the street with no family to contact searching for and not finding work (12% unemployment in Colombia/Bogotá) and with a three year old to feed.  He described how they as a family would go from restaurant to restaurant begging for food just to get by that day.  These are the stories that bring my heart to the earth, to their feet.  Along with 1,000 or 2,000 pesos that I donate, I tuck them into my heart with a prayer.  In the states I would have been cynical and say to myself what is a buck going to do for this persons greater needs?  However here, a couple thousand pesos will buy a some bread to get them through the next day.  Yeah there are those folks who are professional peddlers but I feel the majority are really trying to find a solution to their suffering, and having an empty stomach is not very conducive to thinking clearly.  

At a latter date I will have to describe the business model here.  It simply bogles my mind.  It would be better accompanied with pictures.

Blessings and Peace

The Tide has Turned - Thanks be to God

It is amazing how life hands one experiences in waves.  So, not so long ago, I was dealing with the distance-traveler blues.  Now, I am riding on a new wave of energy and joy.  I must say that the latter is far more desirable than the former.  Well, no duh.  These past couple of weeks I had set to devote more of my energy to the Mission with Father José Romero.  This past Saturday the church hosted and Ecumenical Brigada.  For those who don't know what a Brigada is (heaven knows I had no clue before I saw it in action), it is a day where all sorts of social services are provided to any who have need to attend.  This includes dental, general health, vaccinations, physical therapy, medicines, clothing, hair cuts, a bag of basic food items per houshold (rice, flour, oil, hot-choclate mix, pasta, etc.) and other services.  The week leading up to this event I went to the mission earlier in the day to help out with preparations.  This included making up the pray leaflets (if that is what they are called).  It also included two solid days of sorting through and organizing the medicines that had been donated.  Then typing out an alphabetical list of the meds (10 pages).  By Saturday morning of the Brigada most of the meds had ben mixed up again, having been consolidated to 3 tables and the carefully written alphabetical list.... I have no idea if what I did was at all usefull,  but I loved doing it all.  Such a project to participate in, really gave me something to look forward to and it was so very important to Father José, the parish community and the community that benefited from all of the services offered.  I had never known of a Brigada before, but now I have a much clearer idea of how they get put together.  

  Along with this our time working with the Children is growing more rich.  Through God's grace and a firm hand, Dylan is now doing very well in class.  His hick-ups are no more distracting than Santiago's, who also is behaving himself much better these days.  Doling out discipline is hard, and not fun, I felt like the bad guy.  Blahk!  However to see the fruits of a group who work and play together so much more smoothly is a great gift and reward.  Dylan, who before, would only stand attached to me and Audra during play time, is now being pulled into games with the other kids.  They call for him to come join them.   It is such a sweat treat for me when I hear this.  They are more direct to search us out when they need a hug, which we give out with joy and sincere love.   During the Brigada I got the chance to meet some of their parents/families again.  It is really nice to see their smiles and looks of recognition.  During the closing prayers Audra and I sat with Dylan and his cousin.  Next to Dylan was a women who might have been his mother.  She seemed to be simply miserable.  Not in an outlandish way...no.  She is a lovely young women who just seemed insulated in sadness and distress.  This mood transfered to Dylan, who at one moment was playing with me the next was on the verge of tears unwilling to make eye-contact with me (perhaps the women did not like him interacting with us).  After some persuading he came out of this and came to sit between me and Audra and his liveliness returned.  I first saw the young women smile when it was time for their family to pick up their care package of food goods.  We even shared in a joke about not finding a 'gallinero' (hen house) in the bag. 

Poverty affects an individual and the individual affects the community.  Some of the community members would not be found without a smile, giving warm regards and loving on their children.  Others seemed trapped in despair and joylessness, which might be hopelessness (although, I do not know them well enough to judge their conditions).  It is times like these that I feel so set apart from understanding, set apart from their suffering.  I have been blessed to have had all of my needs overwhelmingly provided for... food that is not just to fill the belly but feeds the soul, an abundance of beautiful memories filled with love, a supportive and incredible family...etc.  I don't know what it is to really be without.  Does that mean that I cannot connect with the pain of this women?  I hope not.  Audra suggested that one can not consider the pain of one against the pain of another because when a soul is distressed a soul is distressed and needs healing no matter if you are wealthy or in desperate poverty.  This seems to resonate with Christ's call to serve the poor.  Scripture does not only mention the poor of money, but above all the poor in spirit.  In this there are two ministries.  One, to give clothing, food and shelter to the one who is without.  The other is to offer the life in Christ to the poor in Spirit.  In my experience when the poor in Spirit sets to serve the one without both are served in a glorious way. 

Love in our Lord Christ,

Laura-Catherine

A few pictures from Suesca a few weeks back

Here Is Suesca

I am So Ready

With Dear Friends

Beautiful Sights

Photos say more than words

A Good Time Had by All

Good Company Night and Day

Trying out a few Routes

Basking in the Sun

A long weekend at San Gil Santander, Colombia.

Just take a look at the photos that resulted from this past weekend and I think you will understand what a wonderful and rich experience I had.   My decision to go on this outing was a bit last notice... either monday or tuesday night of this past week.  Audra decided to stay in town so I was off on an adventure on my own.    Oscar and Audra accompanied me to where I was to meet up with the group.  The ETD was 10pm, but in true latin american style we didn't ship off until midnight.  We traveled in what

 is called a buseta (a small bus that seats 15).  Out of a group of 11ish I was only acquainted with two of the guys who I had known from the climbing gym,  but I did not let that stop me from having fun with them on the ride down.  It was a great ice-breaker.  We arrived around 6am.  From there we unloaded and set up camp.  The weekend was full of lazily basking in the sun, hiking, swimming, a bit of bouldering (finding large rocks to skillfully ascend), bolder hoping our way up and down the river and just a lot of fun. 

 The water was incredible, crystal clear, clean, brisk and invigorating.  For most of the Colombians it was a bit too cold, but for me .... superb.  Saturday night we gathered at the store where we shared some beers, conversation and hey I even got to dance!  Yah!  All of the folks were really nice, that open-heartedness runs deep here. The weather was perfect.  During the middle of the day it would get hot enough to break a bit of a sweat as we hiked around and the nights cooled off enough to need long sleeves and pants and enjoy a fire.... simply put, Perfect and it is like that year round; can you imagine?!  The whole weekend was rich and recharged my spirit.  For me, there is no separating my relationship with God from my relationship with others, and in the same way in how I relate to the earth. When I take a deep breath and look around at the creation in such remarkable form I am humbled and sincerely  grateful. I have found my remedy to the city blues.  I am already planning another outing within the next week or so. We had three full days and two nights, although I would have loved to have extended the time.  We arrived back into Bogotá around midnight of monday/tuesday night, in time to have a full night sleep in my own bed.  It was all wonderful and to top it off I think I came away with some new friends. 

Be Blessed