I feel blessed to have spent my last weeks in ciudad juarez in the Christmas season. I ended Brigadas and the work I was directly doing with the street kids the week before Christmas and spent the following weeks visiting families and the oratories to spend time with the people and enjoy the season with them. This consisted of a lotttttt of food ( tamales, tamales... More tamales), piñatas, champurrado, Christmas songs and fireworks! A lot of togetherness over all and smiles and joy. The way heist mas is supposed to be celebrated you know?
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| thinking about a career in piñata making and decorating! |
I also spent my birthday with most of the young people of the three oratories. I went to mass in two oratories and in the evening we went ice skating! There is one skating ring in the entire city and ofcourse the Canadian would organize a birthday get together skating with a bunch of Mexicans who do not know how to skate. It was hilarious, entertaining and a lot of fun to be honest. Something new for many of them and something that made me feel at home for myself.
My last dew days consisted of a lot of crying and hugging. Realizing I have spent a year and a half, almost 600 days living in this city and getting to know these wonderful people - saying goodbye and not knowing when I'll be back to see them is really hard. But in my goodbyes, Irealized how many people I really got know. Personally knowing about their past, their story, why they are here. And how much I have learnt from every single one of them. I care for these young people and have dedicated all this time to serving them through different projects and trying to bring them and unite them to their oratory.
The way they say I have left a big mark in this community, I know and testify to the fact that their humility and gentleness has touched my heart in a way I never thought possible. I feel so loved by them and it is perfect because it's a strong as the love I have come to find in myself for them. I wish they weren't mexicans, I really so wish they all lived really close to me but I also know that I will be back. These oratorianos who are now my best friends have opened my eyes to what our mission on this earth is.
To love one another and care for eachother. To lead a life of bringing people together and being joyful because there is nothing greater than having a good friend by your side. There is beauty in the broken - I don't think I can express that enough.
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| Padre Riccardo and Chilly Willy at the airport dropping me off |
I'd sacrifice it all for the young people - just to be able to bring their souls closer to God.
Ciudad Juarez - I'll be seeing you.
