Love...

The last month and a half have been some of the most fulfilling of my life. The groups we have had here have brought with them compassion, and eagerness to learn, full enthusiasm, fun energy, and love. Here is a journal entry I wrote after we had 2 wonderful groups in a row:
When they arrived, I told them that I was happy to have them, that I was excited to meet them, but little did I know how much joy they would add to my life. I didn't fully appreciate the moment that they arrived. I hardly ever do. When a new group comes in, I am excited, anxious, overwhelmed with a lot of new names and faces. I often don't realize how incredibly beautiful the gift is that is about to unfold before me. As the days go by, we laugh, we cry, we learn, and we are transformed. We are changed by one another, we are changed by everyone we meet. By the end of the week, I know the faces, I know the names, they have revealed their hearts, and I desperately don't want them to go. I have fallen in love with everyone. When they are gone, I receive emails, photos, heartfelt essays, and I cry. I am so blessed to be here. I am so blessed to have been taught and touched by so many hearts.

It is funny how I have the same experience over and over. Each time I am nervous, and by the end, each time, I fall in love.

Lately I have been picking up the guitar more often. I am learning new songs, but still have too much stage fright to play them effortlessly. I need more practice. I did play one of my favorite songs, "Imagine" for a group´s final liturgy here. Today I said goodbye to 54 teens and their teachers. Who would have thought that a group of 54 teens would be so much fun? Last night we had our final reflections and liturgy. Their words of appreciation for the experience, for all the people they met, and for all our gifts from God were clearly sincere. I thank God for this work, that at times brings me to tears of gratitude and joy. I am so fortunate to play a role in such an important experience in these young adults lives. Here are some photos taken by students over the last month and a half:

This photo is taken from a final liturgy ceremony where several students read poems or reflections on their experiences here with us. We sang "Imagine" together, being reminded that we are "not the only one" that wants peace and brother and sisterhood of all in this world.

Visiting our friends, and a new mural!

When the group from Chicago was here , we visited our friends that live in a very indigenous village. Here I am in this photo, with the woman that made my shirt, as well as a skirt I gave my niece.
In this photo is a group of ladies that we have befriended. One is a social worker that set up a now fully functioning cooperative with the women. They sew clothing, make pottery, and have a bakery. The women each tell us their stories of how they became involved in the cooperative, and how it helps them to make a living for their families.

In this photo, one of our visitors takes a photo of the boys, and they love to see their photo in this tiny camera.
In the last week, we had work done on our pool, as well as a mural was painted for us. Two men from Canada, Collin and Bob, came for a week and a half to paint this beautiful mural. Here are some photos of the process...

And here is the finished product over the newly tiled pool. In the middle are the two men from Canada that created and painted this beautiful mural. Please click this photo so you can see it larger and get a more real sense of what it looks like!

Inauguration Day Celebration!

I am hopeful, I am amazed that it happened; tears came to my eyes when I watched history being made.


Everyone celebrated, everyone toasted, some with Victoria Beer, to the Inauguration of Barack Obama!

Our group from Chicago was especially excited! They wanted to get their photo next to Obama on the TV, but we found it hard to all get to the TV when he was on the screen, so here are a few from the group.

Here are some ladies that were fortunate enough to have Obama shirts!

Meanwhile, the staff worked diligently in the office, making sure our work got done that day.

It was a fun week with the group from Chicago. They were interested, interesting, prayerful, fun, and open to the experience. They visited indigenous villages, met with community leaders, met local artisians, explored our city, and much more. On their last day, they gave a presentation, which summed up the experiences and information they learned while they were here. One group gave a moving performance of what it woud be like to be a farming family that was forced off their land due to the build up of effects from NAFTA.

Each group member brought something beautiful to the experience of being with them, I am so glad they came!

Our first group of 2009: Dominican University!

Finally, our first group arrived!! They are from Dominican University outside of Chicago. When they arrived, they were enthusiastic from the start. They had all sorts of questions, lots of great conversation, and plenty of good laughs. We had a wonderful time together. When we invited them to do service in a very poor area of the city; they jumped into the work with full force.

They enthusiastically worked, and enjoyed getting to know some of the children in the area. They all couldn´t help but fall in love with the children they met during their time here.

The last night was the final liturgy. Each one of us shared our thoughts and most meaningful memories from the week. It was amazing the insights that were shared, and to see the impact of the time we had spent together in Mexico. Most of us were moved to tears. We felt like we had found a new family with one another. It was an amazing experience. I am grateful to the Dominican University students and staff that made my first week with students a incredibly beautiful experience!