Back in Action

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Well, I'm grateful to say that I'm back to pretty much one-hundred percent action! Thank you for all of your prayers. I couldn't be more grateful to have your support and your love. I really depend on it.

My Dad wasn't able to visit...passport issues. It was a disappointment for sure, but reminded me to trust that everything happens for a reason. God is definitely teaching me how to be detached here. So it looks like Dad will be coming in March now, which is exciting!

I often get asked what I do on a regular basis here...to which there is not an answer. I thought though that I'd take you through a more or less "regular" day in mission life here...so I'll tell you about this past Wednesday.

Alarm rang at 5:00. After getting ready made a cup of coffee and sat down in my favorite spot--the balcony overlooking the sunrise behind the mountains. Though it's hard to get up, this is quickly becoming my favorite part of the day. From 5:30 usually till 6:30, we have personal prayer time. The sun rises a little before 6, so by that time I can see what I'm reading :). We prayed morning prayer and walked to Mass together--Wednesday is my favorite day because we get to go to the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal for Mass.

After Mass we ate breakfast. Wednesday mornings is my day to make visits with Sagrario, the social worker here. By 8:30 there were 2 families at our door, so on my way out I encountered them. They were asking to talk to Carol our head servant here. I tried to "triage" their problems. One family is from the neighborhood, a mom, her young daugher, and her young daughter's daughter; asking basically for food and help with money and clothes...the other a 19 year old mom with her two kids. There wasn't much I could do. We don't have the resources or ability to give bags of food to everyone who asks, unfortunately. I wish we could give them what we have in our kitchen, but then we couldn't eat either. It's a constant balance of trying to help when you can help and learning how to say no in a loving way. I'm not so good at it, but I depend on God's mercy and grace to help me out! I took the 19 year old mom with me to see if Sagrario had any wisdom for her, but while we were waiting for Sagrario to arrive, had a really good talk with her...she wants to go to school but her mom just kicked her out because she's not working...her little kids are bouncy and beautiful and so alive...the kids have two different dads and neither one is around...I tried to talk to her about how she can't settle for that--if only she knew how much she was worth!

Made visits with Sagrario: Elvia, an older woman who comes to our Thursday Bible Studies and spends most of the day alone in her home; a couple in their 90s, has been married for 70 years and now the woman has a bad case of dimensia--but she is adorable. He takes good care of her! Then to Jenny, who comes to our Bible Studies and is obviously depressed--has three beautiful kids. I love walking around with Sagrario--I ask her so many questions and she points out little cultural things; plants, names of different things at the pulperias (sort of like a convenience store).

Rosary at noon with the community, then the afternoon back at our ministry center, helping to clean out our office over there. There is always activity there, and I happened to sit down with one of the girls in our scholarship program and had a good talk. She wants to get confirmed this year. She was also a little concerned that she was 16 and had never had a boyfriend...I made sure to tell her this was PERFECTLY OKAY!!!

We had holy hour and dinner, then formation as a community, which included a lively game of Bible trivial pursuit, oh yes, in Spanish. I read a little bit after that, journaled...talked with my roommate and hit the hay.

You never really know what you'll encounter in a day here...it's best to be prepared for everything and not so attached to your schedule or your plans. And to take it one day at a time. I am always grateful to have that hour of time in prayer with Jesus...no matter how crazy the day is, if I can depend on having that hour, I can stay a little sane. :)

I miss you all, and thank you for your love and prayers. Happy St. Valentine's Day!
Blessings,
MJ