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 -