Monthly update

Currently I’m trying to learn all the names of the children. As we mentioned, there are 135 kids here and I have most of their names down but some are still unknown to me. Also, I’m trying to get a better understanding of the kids here. At the moment I am looking after the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders and they are very well behaved. Some are doing their work, some are playing games, and still others are wondering aimlessly about. We keep hearing some of the kids’ backgrounds and it helps us understand when things happen, like when we see some random acts of violence. But it’s great to see the kids acting just like kids. It’s good to see that here the kids feel and act like normal, rough around the edges, kids, most times.

The challenges don’t seem to be changing. I always get a different response from the kids than when a staff member says the same thing. I am sometimes disconcerted when they ask me to get the kids to do something. Often times they have to do it themselves anyway and I all I get is frustrated. Also I joked with a friend a while ago about keeping money in the bank. And while I believe it necessary to have some savings for when we return, I find that the security forms a barrier. It’s kind of like a bond to the States that doesn’t let me immerse myself completely here in Mexico. I thought it would be easier for me with Mexican roots to feel at home here in Mexico but I constantly find myself feeling too American.

As far as what has gone well, although I get a different response from the children than do the staff, I have been getting better with them. Little things have let me know this. Before when I would walk into a room it was as if nothing had changed. I mean, if the children were misbehaving they would continue to misbehave. But now they at least try to hide whatever they are doing when I walk in. Next week I’m going to be all by myself with the kids so we’ll see how that goes. I hope to become a more solid figure that they can count on and rely in.

We have friends and family that constantly ask what support they can provide and there are the Collette vacationers that bring supplies (school and personal) to the kids. Last week some wealthy ladies from Chihuahua came and had different activities for the kids (see pics on blog). I see God in their understanding that they are blessed and the need to share that blessing. And I see Him in all the others from the community and the world that share with these children.

Luis