Just Be Held - Casting Crowns

In the month of November, I got to witness the making of the Alters that is a tradition in Mexico in order to honor those who are already in heaven. For All Souls Day, mexicans create an alter and share the biography of a loved one that has passed away. These alters have a format to follow and seems a little weird but once you see it and really live it you can see that it is such a beautiful tradition.

Another really important project that the young people of Juarez took part in was our day of the Missions. The local volunteers spent about a month collecting food and clothes for this one day of missions. We began this weekend with a retreat to get the three oratories to know eahother and plan out together how we would be going about this day. We all decided to serve to the community of Don Bosco. On Sunday morning, we began our day with a mass and then 27 young people went to knock on the doors of families living close to the oratory and took the time to sit and get to know them. Sharing stories of their past and present and inviting them to different groups and projects of the oratory. (look at where your beautiful crosses ended up Alex!) 

We invited these families to come visit the oratory in the afternoon for a good basket and to choose from the clothes that had been collected. And we ended our mission with a movie in Cine Bosco watchin the Ultimate Gift. This experience really was a beautiul one. Seeing the union of the young people of the three oraories, begining with a retreat remembering how we are all missionaries on this world and later realizing the importance of knowing. It wasn't just about going and leaving a big of non perishable items with a family that may need it, it was about sitting and listening to te people of Juarez. We saw and heard some very meaningful and powerful stories that changed the heart of many young people. That in itself was the objective and God certainly provided. 

I present to you all the Salesian Volunteers of Mexico! 

Another beautiful experience that I am very grateful for this month was the way we lived National Volunteer Day. We spent this day in Guadalajara with 40 other Salesian volunteers of Mexico. This volunteer encounter was to celebrate Don Boscos up coming birthday by gather the volunteers from the North and South - all those a par of the Salesians and te FMAs. I met wonderful people from around the world all dedicating their lives to this beautiful country for a year or more. 

Ciudad Juarez wishing Don Bosco a happy birthday :)

I have about one month left in this city, then its back to Montreal life. Its a sad and happy thought - a weird mixture of feelings. But this week of evaluating and looking back on this year and a half of being in Ciudad Juarez - i want to finish with joy. The way i want to remembered is joyful. Entonces, lo que vamos hacer.... make the best of these last days, eat as much Mexican food, spend this Christmas remembering that people is what makes Christmas the best part and I am beyond blessed to be spending another Christmas and birthday with my Mexican family and this beautiful city I call my home.