Mommy

So I have officially completed my first official week at Familia Feliz, which seems crazy to say as it feels as though I’ve been here for a few years or so. Okay, not really, but a while.

A whole lot has happened. This week proved to be rather insane as it was my first week teaching, I was cooking all week, and we spent three days marching with the army base for Bolivia’s Independence Day Parade.

On top of that I live with eight crazy little boys who all have strong little personalities of their own. Also they speak Spanish and I do not.

But despite the craziness and the little sleep and the frustration of not speaking the language, this week was full of so many moments that made me so thankful I am here and amazed by these beautiful kids.

So I guess I could write about my schedule and blah blah blah but I don’t really feel like writing that all out and also I’m pretty sure the kids are way more interesting. So here are just a few highlights from the week:

·      Familia Feliz has an awesome connection with the army base here in town. We do Bible studies with them once a week, and this year was the third year they asked us to march with them in the parade. And it’s a big deal. We got all decked out in Pathfinder uniforms and we were on TV (so basically I’m famous) and we were the last ones in the entire parade. But this year they asked us to do another thing as well…. They wanted us to perform in their gymnastics show. So Miguel asked Candace, Dani, and I to put together a little routine for the kids to do. Keep in mind that most of these kids have never done gymnastics in their life… We got a group of kids and took them out onto the open grass of the orphanage and showed them some tricks. Throughout the week, we put together a little routine that consisted of four pyramids and a whole lot of adorableness. However, we didn’t have a whole lot of practice time so I was a bit nervous as to how it would go. On Friday we got a ride in the army truck to the stadium where we were supposed to perform. I’m talking hundreds of people. It was HUGE. I was in shock and I could see the timid, nervous looks on all the kids’ little faces. We got in line and when it was our turn we headed out, cheering the kids on and setting up right in front of the camera that streamed on live TV. And let me tell you, I could still burst with how proud I am of those kids. They. Did. Amazing. They got up on all the moves and went to their right spots and smiled and waved and my goodness it is one of my greatest memories from this adventure so far. When we walked away the kids all hugged each other with such enthusiasm and smiled so big and a few of the older guys told Miguel they are really really interested in having a gymnastics team, so it looks like this might only be the beginning. And goodness, every single time we practiced all I could think about is my dad and what an incredible coach he is and how badly I wished he could have been there.

·      While we were running through our routine at the army base on Friday, I was holding my camera and it was getting in my way. So I went up to one of the older boys and handed him my camera to hold for me. When I looked back a few seconds later I noticed he was turning it on to take pictures. I thought maybe he misunderstood and thought I wanted him to take pictures for me, so I figured I’d go over and ask if he wanted to take pictures or not. I walked over and asked, “Te quiero?” He looked at me strangely and I said it again, “Te quiero?” He just smiled kinda awkwardly at me and so I just smiled back and walked away. Then I realized I was not saying, “Do you want to?” I was actually saying, “Do you love me?” Yeah. I’ve made less awkward mistakes.

·      One of the boys I live with is named Fermin. He is pretty much the definition of lanky and adorable. He has the most unique stances in the world and he is so incredibly intelligent and I just love him oh so much. The other day he came up to me with a tiny little cut in his foot and asked me for a bandaid. I knew he was fine but I brought a million and a half of them so I figured why not? So I took him to my room and put some Neosporin and a bandaid over his little wound. Then I went outside and sat down on the sidewalk outside our little house. He came over and sat beside me. I looked down to see him bite his hand and look up at me and say, “Me duele, Teacher. Me duele,” saying how much it hurt and asking me for another bandaid. What even.

·      Speaking of Fermin, the other night when we were in town he was climbing on a boat and I asked him not to. He immediately got off, but when I looked over a few seconds later he was back on it again. So I told him to come over to where I was. He did his little “I’m in trouble walk.” I picked him up and looked him in the eyes and said, “Porque tu no escucho me?” It was my attempt of asking him why he wasn’t listening to what I asked him to do. He ever so gently put his little hand on my shoulder, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Escuchas.” I was getting him in trouble and he corrected me on my grammer. I’d love to say I was oh so strong and tough and didn’t crack a smile and got him in even bigger trouble for his sarcastic comment. I’d also love to say I can fly and teleport.

·      Dani and I taught our boys how to say, “Goodnight. I love you.” Most of them love it and call, “Teacher, Teacher!” from their beds so that we will go over and kiss them goodnight. However, Wilfredo isn’t the most affectionate little boy, so he won’t even really give me a hug. The other night I was telling Rodrigo goodnight when I heard Wilfredo calling me from his bed. I figured he was going to ask me a question as he always seems to have one. I walked over and he just laid still in his bed for a few seconds. But then, out of nowhere, he threw his arms around my neck and said, “Goodnight. I love you.” My heart melted about fifteen times.

One of the things that amazes me about these kids is how much they look out for each other. There’s a little 5 year-old girl named Maribel and the kids are always holding her and playing with her and giving her all the love and attention her little hands reach out for. And even when it’s 100 degrees outside, all these kids either have their arms around each other or are holding hands. It is incredibly sweet.

To be honest there are times when I stop and think about how far away I am from home and how long it will be until I see my friends and family again. The thought can be incredibly hard and sad and overwhelming. But then I look around and I see fifty kids who always hold each other up and never leave a hand unheld. I see sixteen year old boys swinging around a little five year old girl who handwashes her clothes and has been through things I can’t imagine. And I see other volunteers who have given up their time to serve and learn and grow. And so even though it can be hard, I feel so thankful to be a part of something that is so, so much bigger than myself.

Last night I was sitting at the table in the dining room. Little Fermin looked over and saw me sitting by myself. He ran over, jumped into my lap, threw his arms around my neck, and said, “Mommy.”

I wrapped my arms around him in a giant hug, reminded of why I am here.