I'm still alive!

To those of you who still check this and want to stay in tune with my life,

Thanks, first of all. Secondly, I am still alive, life has just been crazy busy with little time to think about sitting at a computer for more than a minute. I miss you all dearly and am patiently awaiting the day I see your faces. However, I am still extremely happy here and am not ready to leave just yet.

The last few months were crazy but life has returned to more of a normal rhythm now with prayer in the morning, lunch, permanencia/visits, evening prayer, and whatever the night brings (which does seem to change every day but whatever!). Right now, Flo and Edgardo are in the middle of their despedida, something which is sometimes very hard for me to accept. In less than a month, I will be the one who has been here the longest so I am trying to step up to the plate a little more and be more aware of the little things and to think of everyone in my community a little bit more, especially Patrick and Sophie since they have been here less than 2 months. I often forget that they are still learning about our friends and the life here and what it was like to have been here for less than 2 months since I was no longer the newbie when my 2 month anniversary. I have learned a lot about managing the money for 6 people and taking responsibility and exercising prudence with this. I swear, I feel like life here is preparing me for marriage someday. I have learned to apologize immediately, not hold grudges, forgive without questions, take care of children, and slowly but surely I am figuring out this whole cooking thing.

In the last few days, it has really hit me how important our presence is to our friends. I often forget that sometimes we are the only people that truly appreciate these people for who they are, a gift from God. Sometimes their own families reject them or they are simply rejected by the rest of the neighborhood. I am sure I will write about him again, but I have a story about Santiago (Santi) that really struck me the other day and I feel like I might as well share something with you all.

Santi has a developmental issue of sorts, some say autism, but I don’t think so. Anyways, he comes to el Punto almost every day asking for water or if he can come in. Whenever we let him in, he just stands there, or paces, or sits and joins us at the table. He doesn’t talk much but definitely understands what you are saying and can tell when he’s struck a nerve and will keep doing whatever it was that bothered you just to bother you a little bit more. His appearance is a little rough around the edges but I have truly come to see a light in him, a light that truly shines CHRIST. Some people think he is dangerous and don’t see him for who he truly is. The other night I was at mass in a town 10 minutes away in bus and while I was there, I spotted Santi. He saw us (I was with Javier) came and sat down next to us (normally, he paces for the entire mass so this was a little out of the ordinary). He was with us for most of the mass and afterwards followed us to the bakery and then to the bus stop. While we were at the bus stop, a lady came up to me and told me to watch out because the man was going to rob me. When I realized she was talking about Santi, I replied (maybe with a little too stern of a tone…) that he is our friend and I trust him. This just really struck me and made me see that not everyone loves Santi the way we do. Since that night, I have been trying to be even more willing to show him love and friendship, the reason why he comes every day. I have a few more stories about Santi but I will keep it to just this one (although there is a pretty awesome one about the time he kissed the monstrance).

I hope you are all staying warm and preparing for Christmas, keeping in mind that “Jesus is the reason for the season” and not stressing too much about what gifts remain to be bought.  I am slowly taking out the skirts and tank tops as summer is approaching but I actually am missing the snow this time of year. I would love to hear from you guys. A quick email or letter (which is preferred…) always makes me smile and makes me feel a little more connected to life back home. Know that I pray for you all daily and have not forgotten your faces.

Until next time,

Kari