Satisfy - Tenth Avenue North





Today makes exactly two weeks that I am in Juarez and abit more than a month since I left my home in Montreal, Canada. I have to tell you, i don't think i could be happier with the location of my mission and the community that I live with. We have been 6 volunteers from around the world and 4 Salesian priests that live in this community house.

Thomas (Argentina), Itchan (Philipines), Mama Silvia (Argentina), Catalina (Canada :)), Cho (USA), Concida (Spain)

 Padre Riccardo (padre malo), Padre Memo (padre primo #1), Padre Humberto (padre primo #2), Padre Juan Carlos (padre tio)

Daily schedule goes something like this.

8 am - morning prayer with the community and then breakfast

9  am - off to one of the three oratories to prepare for the afternoon

2 pm - home for lunch with the community

SIESTA

4 pm - back to the oratory we were at in the morning

4:30 - walk around the town screaming and waving flags to invite children to follow us to the oratory

5 pm - La Brigada de la Alegria

7 pm - go to a nearby park in the town and invite more kids to come to La Brigada in the park

9 pm - back to the oratory to hang out with the youth

10:30 pm - home for the Buenos Noches and supper

As volunteers, we are in charge of La Brigada de la Alegria. This is a project where we literally gather as many kids as we can from around the oratory to come and play with us. During la Brigada, we sing camp songs, play games and play sports. We then have a mini catechism lesson where, as Don Bosco did with his kids at the oratory, we either teach the children a value or relate a value to a Salesian saint. We then give these kids chocomilk y galletas. The very first night we had la Brigada, we had 70 kids come! 

La Brigada de la Alegria

So far, one of my most favorite things about Juarez is the sky. Most of the oratories are located in the mountains which means we are closer to the sky! Also, there is not as many lights as if we were living in the city. For those who do not know, I have this insanely intense obsession with the moon. The Canada moon does not even compare to the Mexico moon. I can see the sun set and the moon rise and the exact same time. The colors of the sky are so beautiful and natural. The clouds seem fluffier and so close to us - kind of like you can almost touch them. I strongly suggest you move to Mexico just to see the sun set while the moon is rising, the feeling you get inside your chest is so powerful, oufff.

Here the sun is setting!

Here the moon is rising at the same time!

 

 My second favorite thing so far about Jurez are the houses. In the mountains, I would call it more of a village, before every Brigada we walk around the villages and get the children living in these small houses to come join us at the oratory or the park for. To you, these houses may seem ugly, falling apart and broken, but to me these houses are beautiful. This was my favorite part about my Tijuana trips too; seeing the beauty in the broken.

I am really happy here. I have tried some new things and am ready to just surrender to whatever the day throws my way. My work is fun work, i get to interact with hundreds of children and young adults every single day. Those working at the oratories and participating all have the same good hearted spirit that Don Bosco has taught us all to have. It is about giving all the love you have to those who are around you, not only those you want to give it to. One whole year in this beautiful place does not even seem like enough right now. Pray for me and know that you are in my prayers! 

Standing in a moving pick up truck - we are infinite!

- Damihi animas, caetera tolle -



Live Like That - Sidewalk Prophets

A mission; that is what this year is going to be about. This is not a humanitarian trip, this is not because I need time off from home or from my everyday life. This is because as Vita says, Jesus whispered into my heart and asked me if I was courageous enough to go on a mission and serve Him for a whole year and I jumped right into it and said yes.

Saying goodbye to my Canadian peeps was not the easiest but it's not exactly goodbye you know? It's really just "I'll see you later." And I will! I'll be back in exactly 12 months as of now, so smile! Ever since I left Montreal, I have been in California. Last week, myself and the 3 other volunteers that are also going to be going on a one year mission, went to a retreat with a lot of Salesian priests as well as the volunteers that have just finished their mission. This was a week for preparation, training and getting into the mood of community life. I met some of the most amazing Salesian role models I have ever crossed paths with and am looking forward to seeing them one year from now at our closing retreat.

Past and Present Missionaries

 

On August 4th, Cho, Tony, Jose and myself had our commissioning mass at Dominic Savio Parish in Bellflower, California. We read our vows outloud, signed our vows and received our missionary crosses. This was a beautiful celebration and I am grateful for my Californian friends that were there supporting me. I do wish my family and friends were there but I am grateful to know that you are all supporting me from where you are.

  

Cho, Tony, myself and Jose reciting our vows.

 

For this next week, I am living with Xochil and enjoying this time before I leave for my mission. It is really good to be reunited with my missionary jerkface whom I have missed tremendously. I will be visiting Tijuana on Thursday just for the day - imagine having Tijuana less than 2 hours away from home! For those who don't know, Tijuana is where it all started for me. Through my first missionary experience in 2010 with Gospel Roads - something about this city felt right. There is so much beauty in what we foresee as broken. I am looking forward to feeling at home again once I get to Juarez which is going to become my new home.

 

I will be arriving in Ciudad Juarez on August 12th. I am looking forward to meeting my director, the community, the other volunteers and just being where I am. What have I learnt throughout these 2 weeks? I have to surrender, it's time to give all that I am and all that I have to God. And you do it to! Just be present to whatever you are doing and with whoever you are with. And always be happy and smile.

 

Mother Teresa said it - "Don't ever let anyone come to you without leaving happier."

 

Pray for me and for the other volunteers as we all embark on our new adventures. Know that I will be doing the same. Sending my love, and chin up! Otherwise the crown falls.