So I realize that it’s been over a month since my last post and I apologize for that, things have been sort of chaotic and stressful here and I’ve been feeling discouraged and just haven’t wanted to share how disappointed I am. But I recognize now how important it is to keep those who supporting me updated about what is going on here and so I will try to post more regularly regardless of how I’m feeling about this trip.
The riots stopped shortly after my last post (so forever ago). Since then I’ve been working in el Centro de Motivación full time. However, the center is currently rewriting their mission statement and creating new therapeutic approaches in order to match that statement so all street work has been shut down since January and there is not much for me to help with. With no girls in the center and paperwork to be done that I can’t help with I spend most of my days sitting in the couch in the director’s office reading books, playing solitaire, and just generally trying to stay out of the way. I am told that there will be girls at the center by next Wednesday but I’ve been told that every week up until now so I’ll just have to wait and see.
In addition to being bored and frustrated I’ve also been sick and have gone through two courses of antibiotics. I’m currently doing well in terms of my physical health and would appreciate prayers that my health would continue to be good and that no more illness would interfere with my work here.
Things are not all bad here though; while sickness and boredom seem to have been the norm the last two months there have also been lots of wonderful that have happened and are happening here. My Spanish has improved to the point where a little boy asked me “What is Argentina like? That’s where you’re from, right?” I am building relationships with the people in the church I am attending and I am participating in a small group Bible study every Tuesday night. Also, my mentor and I are starting to become close, which I am incredibly thankful for because things felt very tense between the two of us at the beginning of my trip.
As of last week I am spending three mornings a week in Albergue, one of Mosoj Yan’s other centers, working with the girls there (yes, there are actually girls there!). I am not doing anything there that’s terribly impressive, just hanging out with the girls and helping them with their homework. But even after just three mornings there, as I was getting up to leave on Friday one of the girls rugby-tackled me with a huge hug. This is a girl who wouldn’t even talk to me when I arrived on Monday morning and who has been through horrific abuse; a girl who I wouldn’t expect to trust anyone, so that hug was really beautiful and encouraging. Any doubts that I have had about whether or not I should be there have been dashed from spending time with the girls at Albergue and I just pray that I will be able to bless them as much as they have already blessed me.
And that is where things stand now. Things are still frustrating here and sometimes I miss New York but I am learning to be patient and trust that God will work everything out for the good. I ask for your prayers for my work in both centers, for continued health and personal safety, and for peace in this country.
I promise I’ll post again soon!!!
God bless!
This must indeed be frustrating for you. At least you're are getting to do some work at the other shelter. The story about the girl and the big hug is sweet - must have been very encouraging and very rewarding. Will continue to pray for you. Hope you don't have any more bouts with illnesses! When you get discouraged, think of this: you're missing a really awful winter! It's still cold, and we still (or again, I guess) have some snow on the ground.
ReplyDeleteHelen Reilly