Click on the image for a better view.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Written by Jordan on the bus ride home:
Well everyone is sick.
I'm not sure how you spell it, but I can definitely smell it ... diaherra! I'm not huge into journaling or things like that but I would like to express several thoughts from the trip.
First of all, I'd like to say that the entire trip has been amazing. I never thought I'd be upset leaving a bunch of 5 to 12 year olds. I don't remember the last time I was that sad. Seeing Fernando running down the street yelling "amigo", with his arms wide open and jumping into my arms was an upsetting and great feeling at the same time. This is extremely hard for a man (boy) to admit, but there were definitely tears welling up in my eyes. It was hard to leave behind that trouble maker but I am glad to have a made a friend despite a large language barrier.
I have learnt alot about myself and how humble pie has the most rewarding bitter-sweet taste. I also realized how a little bit of compassion can build friendships; not just between us and the children but between MCC youth and SL youth. Intially there were some hostities between the two church groups, but by simply taking down one's immature and defensive guard, friendships were established between our opposing parties.
Somtimes this compassion was illustrated through acts of grace. Grace is much easier to talk about than act out. Now imagine our miniscule grace multiplied by millions or billions - actually it's impossible to put a price or numbers on God's grace. Without his grace I don't know where I'd be.
All in all this trip has been a huge blessing to me and I'm sure everyone from MCC youth, SL youth, and all the children we came across. Even though the stench of diaherra is strong, it is not strong enough to out muscle the Godly encounters we had on this trip.
I'm not sure how you spell it, but I can definitely smell it ... diaherra! I'm not huge into journaling or things like that but I would like to express several thoughts from the trip.
First of all, I'd like to say that the entire trip has been amazing. I never thought I'd be upset leaving a bunch of 5 to 12 year olds. I don't remember the last time I was that sad. Seeing Fernando running down the street yelling "amigo", with his arms wide open and jumping into my arms was an upsetting and great feeling at the same time. This is extremely hard for a man (boy) to admit, but there were definitely tears welling up in my eyes. It was hard to leave behind that trouble maker but I am glad to have a made a friend despite a large language barrier.
I have learnt alot about myself and how humble pie has the most rewarding bitter-sweet taste. I also realized how a little bit of compassion can build friendships; not just between us and the children but between MCC youth and SL youth. Intially there were some hostities between the two church groups, but by simply taking down one's immature and defensive guard, friendships were established between our opposing parties.
Somtimes this compassion was illustrated through acts of grace. Grace is much easier to talk about than act out. Now imagine our miniscule grace multiplied by millions or billions - actually it's impossible to put a price or numbers on God's grace. Without his grace I don't know where I'd be.
All in all this trip has been a huge blessing to me and I'm sure everyone from MCC youth, SL youth, and all the children we came across. Even though the stench of diaherra is strong, it is not strong enough to out muscle the Godly encounters we had on this trip.
Written by Meghan on the bus ride home:
heavy heat
the hot air sticking to us,
attaching itself to our overheated
bodies.
dirty dust
making itself at home everywhere;
ears, nose, skin, clothes,
it knows no bounds
creepy crawlies
cranky co-workers. surprising sickness.
why?
because somewhere in this
desperate disaster is hidden joy.
not the typcial type
purchased in a soft drink
or a mysterious movie.
the irrepresible flow unstopped
when a family accepts Christ,
when a child who introduces
himself as Satana (Satan)
evolves into a dear Miguel who
runs up to kindly carry the heavy box
you were struggling with.
When Mimi returns your gaze
with her enormous michievious eyes,
solidifying friendship.
When shouts for 'kapoochies"
resound in your exhausted ears.
Because it is better to give than to receive.
the hot air sticking to us,
attaching itself to our overheated
bodies.
dirty dust
making itself at home everywhere;
ears, nose, skin, clothes,
it knows no bounds
creepy crawlies
cranky co-workers. surprising sickness.
why?
because somewhere in this
desperate disaster is hidden joy.
not the typcial type
purchased in a soft drink
or a mysterious movie.
the irrepresible flow unstopped
when a family accepts Christ,
when a child who introduces
himself as Satana (Satan)
evolves into a dear Miguel who
runs up to kindly carry the heavy box
you were struggling with.
When Mimi returns your gaze
with her enormous michievious eyes,
solidifying friendship.
When shouts for 'kapoochies"
resound in your exhausted ears.
Because it is better to give than to receive.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Friday, August 31
After breakfast we all went to a wonderfully colourful and perfectly quaint outdoor market. No pictures were taken because I was blogging at the internet store across the street. You'll just have to imagine how wonderful it was.
When we got back, it was time to break camp.
All the tents needed to be cleaned out, rolled up and packed away.
Every group did their own tent.
'Cept me and my group.
Cuz we be princesses.
And one of us was in the hospital, one had a headache so bad it made her cry. The other one was off visiting ... and Soph and I were just plum outa energy.
SO I did what I do best, and took pictures of the amazing folks who did it for us:
Thanks, you guys are awesome. Especially since I now know that most of you weren't feeling great when you did this.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
