What a beautiful way to start the day :)“Dulce, Arron, Alex, Magali, Brian, Manuel, Rosita, Hector, Mauricio, Rubian, Manuel, Melvin, Gerson, Offelia, Jose, y Juanito (that's all 16 right?): vengan al bano por favor, necessito todos por su dientes!”
My last act of duty for the weekend on Sunday night – supervising bedtime dental hygiene. I guess being the resident nurse, and arbitrator of the only things that seem sanitary and health-wise, teeth time is one of my said “jobs.” However, even after they have all filed in and out of the two sinks and into bed, there is still a good hour or so before quiet transcends on all.
Honestly though, it brings me joy to watch them scrub their canines and molars, spitting bits of pasta (toothpaste) all over themselves and whoever is sharing their sink. Like many of these “menial” tasks of the day, the toddlers always find a way to bring joy or a smile to my face. Now, that does not mean that I exactly enjoy wiping poop of the floor and hosing it off of a kids butt, however there is so much else to this life here. Such as spending an entire Saturday playing, and I mean playing hard. From the soccer field, to a walk through the woods, to the playground, a brief rest for lunch, and then back out to basketball court for some weird clown posee that came through (wasn’t really my thing, but the kids seemed to enjoy them); Saturday was very full. Finally the playtime ended as we all enjoyed some watermelon on the back stoop. And for the first time here: me, the guitar, and all the kids sang praise songs as the sun faded behind us … purely awesome (Anna Louisa even helped/sang with me!). Sunday was uneventful … ohh except for the laundry sink which over-flowed and flooded about half the house, including the half in which sits my room, all of my suitcases, and most of my other possessions - all under my bed on the floor. Also, did I mention the water smelled like poop? Seems to be a re-occurring smell here.
All of this however, is part of life. Whether I was in the states or in some other country there would always be the necessary tasks of daily life. And what I always remember is that while I have chosen to do this for a time, there are several who have been here since the beginning; this year was the 25 anniversary of Casa Bernabe’s founding. Hopefully however, in every life, the times of laughter, joy, and love are what shine through all of this … even penetrating the poop smell they leave behind.
So as my weekend has come to a close and Monday has followed closely behind (as well as my much needed three cups of coffee for the morning!); I am content. I sit here now watching the kiddies as they “nap.” Which is really just a loosely defined term meaning that they are forced to go to bed after lunch. Half of them fall asleep as soon as they hit the pillow, and then the other 8-10 thoroughly molest whoever is watching them with the continuous need to go to the bathroom, crawling in one another’s bunks, and just overall horrible toddler behavior. Anyway, it’s quiet for now (it only took an hour). However, at least this morning in my hiding place, the clinic, I was afforded a bit of quiet reflection … so needed after a weekend full of toddler fun!
In all seriousness however, the week and this weekend were filled with yet more blessings. While it is not perfect, I think that communication between my house family and I may be improving, if not adequate. Anna Louisa requested that I sing/play the guitar with the kids on Sunday night as well, and even smiled at me during the weekend! Haha, so it might not be perfect, but it is a start.
If anything, all of this has been a great lesson in humility. I am a 24 year old, female professional who: did/could have a great job, for at least 6 years has had independence in just about every sense of the word, normally has confidence in most situations, and is not afraid to express what she’s thinking (I would also like to think that I can throw in some year book qualifiers such as cute, talented, can throw a great outfit together, wonderfully nerdy, or most likely to succeed … but I’ll let you all fill those in for me). I have now been forced to take that image of myself and literally flip it: many times I’m taking orders/requests from an18 year old (Anna Louisa), paying to volunteer and live here (pretty sure that’s a double negative for my bank account), the language barrier (while shrinking slowly) does impede the relationship process with people I see everyday, and now I have to ask if I can go for a run (with someone else of course) or even take a roll of toilet paper out of the closet for the ever needy kids. I don’t say any of this for the wow factor, or the ohh look at her (however that is why I pieced together a cute sundress with some leggings and boots and got “Megan Fox” comments for days). No, at the moment (and I pray for the remainder of my time here), none of this is being done out of pride or selfish ambition. Because really, in the grand scheme of world economics and politics, what I am doing means nothing. It is solely in Christ that any of this is possible. How else could the disciples have literally dropped their nets, jobs, and lives, and wandered around with Jesus? It was his power and love which drew them and assured that they would continue to follow Him for the rest of His crazy and dangerous life, but also for the rest of eternity (Luke 5). All of us make decisions in our lives that require us to sacrifice at least a piece of what we cling to – I’ve just chosen to get all of it over in 6 months : ). Yet, again, with out the grace of God, I can do nothing, whether it be big or small … or even toddler size.
So the kids are starting to stir, I hope I’m going for a run later on with Andrea (however I did get one in with Vilma yesterday – she’s the head cook/live in staff member for one of the adolescent girl’s houses, and happens to be short enough to fit perfectly under my arm, resting on my bosom – how is that for an alternate universe?) or at least a walk in this sunny weather. Ohhh, I have a cell phone, random. Apparently everyone has one here. It’s really just for those here to be able to contact me for nursing needs or for my safety when I go out/travel. Speaking of which, I hope I’ll do a bit of that this weekend … hopefully pictures to come. For now however, here a few from Saturday, the epic of a day. Miss you all, thanks for reading!
This is just a bit of the fun to be had on saturday ...
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