November
This morning Tio Marco knocked on our door to chat for a bit before church. He wanted to make Jugo de Guineo for Naomi and me (and himself: he didn’t have fully altruistic motives) to drink with empanadas later in the afternoon. He was about to head out to the market on his moto (motorcycle) to pick up the ingredients.
“Tio, can I go with you?!” I felt like my five-year-old self asking to ride in my dad’s truck to accompany him to Home Depot.
“I’m leaving right now.”
“I’m ready. Let me just grab my shoes,” as I dashed down the hall.
And just like that, we were flying over the dirt roads, past roaming dogs and chickens, my hair and skirt swishing wildly. At the market, I saw the biggest avocado I have ever seen — the bulk of my whole hand. I remarked on the size. Tio Marco asked if I like avocados. “Oh they’re my favorite!” I said without a second thought. A moment later, he had bought it for me, again the delighted child.
That is how the November days have passed: not always with me being spoiled rotten, but full of the unexpected and unplanned.
November started with one of the little girl’s birthdays. She was turning eleven but had never had a birthday cake or celebration. The other girls and I banded together to make a birthday where she felt love and belonging.
Then some of the teens discovered I like math, so I’ve freshened up on exponent and square root properties and learned a new set of Spanish vocabulary this month. Friday afternoons are often math parties in the English classroom.
My classroom management skills are continually improving thanks to my mom’s wise advice, and we wrapped up English for the summer this past week. (At least two of my classes said they don’t want a break, so I am hoping that’s a sign I’m doing something right.)
Christmas time is here, which means time for the kiddos to exchange presents with their sponsors. I helped teach the kids “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” and “Feliz Navidad”, which we recorded to send to the sponsors. They had fun, but Naomi and I, dancing in the balcony to inspire energy and laughter during the recording, probably enjoyed ourselves more than we should have.
In the past week, the air has cleared up. Last Sunday was one of my favorite days of the past three months. Naomi and I spent all day outside: doing handstands, playing tag, reading on the grass, more handstands. The sun was shining, and the sky was blue, and we took full advantage. Smoke and polluted air had clouded every day, and, topped with 100 degree weather, any time spent outside felt unbearable. But, this past week I saw BLUE, not a gray-brown, when looking up. It’s hard to express how much of a blessing this is.
We also got wifi in our house this month, so Naomi and I were able to start hosting movie nights with the kiddos. I love having an open home, and inviting the kids in for a special night fills all our hearts.
As wonderful as life is, I can’t pretend all of November has been easy. Some days I was so anxious to go home I wanted the day to pass as quickly as possible so I would be one day closer to California. I have failed to love the kids, gotten upset and been stretched in many ways.
But, as Amy Carmichael said, “Don’t say ‘It doesn’t matter’ about anything (except your own feelings), for everything matters. Everything is important, even the tiniest thing.” This month I have had innumerable opportunities to tell my feelings, “You don’t matter” and to remind myself “yes, even THIS do for the Lord”.
“In everything give thanks.”
One of my favorite commands:
Deepening friendship with Tio Marco and Tia Ester (his wife)
Naomi and I growing closer and sharing burdens, laughter and just about everything
Monday and Friday nights with the boys: card games, dinner
Improving Spanish, being able to dramatize while reading aloud to the girls
Ability to play soccer, race and do handstands with kiddos
Cold showers in this HOT weather
Prayer Requests:
The kiddos at Christmas time. Pray they feel LOVE and not abandonment: that Jesus’ love would be real to them
Reset. As the kids have a break, and I soon will too, pray we all start fresh and rest. That it will be a restorative time, not one of laziness or getting into trouble
Garden program. I finally get to start the garden during this summer break. Pray that our seed planting would teach the kids spiritual truths that they apply to their lives
