It seems there is always a little anecdote to share after futbol Mondays. This week comes two:
1. Sitting, passing around the mate with Manu and Carlos. Carlos yells at Nelson to give Joy (girlfriend) a kiss. He then turns to Manu and talks about how crazy it is that they haven't had sex yet. After a moment's pause I say, "Do you guys not see the importance of waiting to have sex?"
They laughed. Manu even jokes that he had enjoyed last night for instance.
(Enter the difference between pre-teens from Las Violetas and from say, my hometown...)
Which leads to them asking about my experience. "Nope," I tell them. "Still waiting!"
"For what?"
"A guy that's worthy! And more importantly, I plan on getting married first!"
This time they're interested in what I have to say. "What makes a guy worthy?"
"Well," I tell them. "It's pretty important that he loves God first and foremost, and that he has the desire to serve God in other countries, as God directs him."
Manu looks at me. "So let's say I have the desire to serve God, would I make your list?"
I laugh. "Bro... you are way too young for me!"
And after trying to convince me he is 18 (which don't worry, is way too young as well), he finally says. "All right... do you have a sister?"
2. At the end of our time together, we call everyone to the middle to pray. Eventually they all come, and for the first time they sit. I again thank them for playing together, and plead with them to try not to fight next time. One of the kids, David, asks me to pray in English, and have Adam translate. I try to keep the prayer simple, but Adam struggles. So we pass the baton to Nelson who does a pretty great job. But when he lacked the words, finally David says, "Yo produzco, yo produzco!!!"
He used the wrong verb. He meant to say "Yo traduzco." And instead of translating, he just repeats what I say in English, which also was quite funny. Everyone enjoyed it and we hugged each other goodbye.
Chau!
Monday, April 9, 2012
Sunday, April 8, 2012
Testing, testing, 1, 2
This (Friday) morning I had written in my head what I wanted to say for this post. It is only 6pm and enough has changed, and I wouldn't be surprised if more does, that I have a more complete story to tell.
You see, it began with the saxophone. I am playing more, and so I was invited/put the idea out there to play this Easter Sunday as we will be in a larger setting and the instrument will not be so loud. The band practiced together in the house for the first time this morning, while I was outside figuring out the notes to every song (the only problem with playing this instrument--being tuned to E♭). So there I was, waiting for the rest of the band, already nervous for how this would go. It's Friday. We are playing on Sunday...
Then Mariela is there and I comment on how I missed her on Wednesday. I remember the conversation with Sol on the walk back from the girls' institute about how Mariela can't just not come, she needs to let me know ahead of time. "Tendrias que retarla," she tells me. "You ought to rebuke her... challenge.. reprimand her.."
This word is hard for me, but I know it is true. I stop to think about the types of challenges that work best for me. The ones that do not arouse my spirit of rebellion, if you know what I mean.
Mariela tells me she doesn't plan on coming anymore for Wednesdays. Just Fridays. Which leaves me alone for two out of three days of visiting. I already feel defeated. "Por?" I ask her.
She doesn't have a reason; one can see her own recognition of lame excuses. But I don't say anything to her because it's early and I'm more agitated about the practice that's about to happen. Even though I know God is good. Even though I know the sax will work out in time.
We have a team meeting where hardly anybody comes because it's Good Friday; I assume that everyone assumes we won't meet because it's a holiday. I sneak out a little bit early to prepare the bag for things to do while we are with the girls this afternoon. In the midst of this, the woman in charge of giving the lesson for Escuelita Saturday morning comes in. She tells me she was sick this week and didn't have a chance to prepare the lesson. "Can you do it?"
I almost want to say yes just because I'm exhausted, but I say no. "What about earlier this week? There was not a single chance to prepare something??" I remind her that it's only 10 to 15 minutes of lesson time. I remind her that figuring out what to talk about couldn't be easier right now--it's HOLY WEEK!!!
She leaves.
Mariela comes, but without her sister, so I call Flor to join us. Mariela puts her headphones in for the entire walk over. In the institute, all the girls make comments wondering where they have been. "Why are they so inconsistent?" I hope it sinks it, but it also hurts me to hear it.
On the way back, it feels like Mariela is a different person. I didn't get a chance to see what she was doing, as I stayed in the kitchen helping to make pancakes, US style (which were a hit, by the way), so I have no idea if she was doing okay or not. I thought that maybe that could be a part of the issue, that I give too much freedom in how things are run in the institute. Yes, I could be better at this...
But as I said, she is a different person. She is smiling, and she has put her phone away. She is talking with Flor about how she enjoyed today with the kids. (Sigh). Flor parts for her house, leaving Mariela and me a chance to say what I had been praying about all along. And it couldn't have come at a better moment--at the peak of her excitement for doing what she knows she wants to do long term.
"So if working with kids with these needs is something you enjoy so much, why give up coming on Wednesdays?"
She smirks, a look to say "I knew this was coming."
"It's just when I'm in the house," she tells me. "I don't want to leave. I'm lazy."
"And I understand that. If only we could remember how we always leave with a sense of accomplishment, like we're doing what we were made for, to help us get out of our chairs," I say.
She agrees, and being the dramatic one that I am, I added one more question. "Just answer me this, Mariela. This decision: is it for your sake, or was it God's idea?"
She laughs. "All right, all right. I'll come. I don't know what I was thinking before."
Phew.
A few minutes later, I get a call from the woman helping with Escuelita. "I've got something prepared," she tells me.
What could have happened had I not said anything? Had I told both of them, "Ok, I'll figure something out"? Sometimes it's a test of leadership; sometimes it's a test of realizing as the body of Christ how much we need each other. How much we really should be depending on each other.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1
Important implications involved in these verses: that we must be walking in the Spirit. That we must be careful ourselves. But over all, that we must say something, even when it is difficult. Take heart, God is with you!
Chau!
You see, it began with the saxophone. I am playing more, and so I was invited/put the idea out there to play this Easter Sunday as we will be in a larger setting and the instrument will not be so loud. The band practiced together in the house for the first time this morning, while I was outside figuring out the notes to every song (the only problem with playing this instrument--being tuned to E♭). So there I was, waiting for the rest of the band, already nervous for how this would go. It's Friday. We are playing on Sunday...
Then Mariela is there and I comment on how I missed her on Wednesday. I remember the conversation with Sol on the walk back from the girls' institute about how Mariela can't just not come, she needs to let me know ahead of time. "Tendrias que retarla," she tells me. "You ought to rebuke her... challenge.. reprimand her.."
This word is hard for me, but I know it is true. I stop to think about the types of challenges that work best for me. The ones that do not arouse my spirit of rebellion, if you know what I mean.
Mariela tells me she doesn't plan on coming anymore for Wednesdays. Just Fridays. Which leaves me alone for two out of three days of visiting. I already feel defeated. "Por?" I ask her.
She doesn't have a reason; one can see her own recognition of lame excuses. But I don't say anything to her because it's early and I'm more agitated about the practice that's about to happen. Even though I know God is good. Even though I know the sax will work out in time.
We have a team meeting where hardly anybody comes because it's Good Friday; I assume that everyone assumes we won't meet because it's a holiday. I sneak out a little bit early to prepare the bag for things to do while we are with the girls this afternoon. In the midst of this, the woman in charge of giving the lesson for Escuelita Saturday morning comes in. She tells me she was sick this week and didn't have a chance to prepare the lesson. "Can you do it?"
I almost want to say yes just because I'm exhausted, but I say no. "What about earlier this week? There was not a single chance to prepare something??" I remind her that it's only 10 to 15 minutes of lesson time. I remind her that figuring out what to talk about couldn't be easier right now--it's HOLY WEEK!!!
She leaves.
Mariela comes, but without her sister, so I call Flor to join us. Mariela puts her headphones in for the entire walk over. In the institute, all the girls make comments wondering where they have been. "Why are they so inconsistent?" I hope it sinks it, but it also hurts me to hear it.
On the way back, it feels like Mariela is a different person. I didn't get a chance to see what she was doing, as I stayed in the kitchen helping to make pancakes, US style (which were a hit, by the way), so I have no idea if she was doing okay or not. I thought that maybe that could be a part of the issue, that I give too much freedom in how things are run in the institute. Yes, I could be better at this...
But as I said, she is a different person. She is smiling, and she has put her phone away. She is talking with Flor about how she enjoyed today with the kids. (Sigh). Flor parts for her house, leaving Mariela and me a chance to say what I had been praying about all along. And it couldn't have come at a better moment--at the peak of her excitement for doing what she knows she wants to do long term.
"So if working with kids with these needs is something you enjoy so much, why give up coming on Wednesdays?"
She smirks, a look to say "I knew this was coming."
"It's just when I'm in the house," she tells me. "I don't want to leave. I'm lazy."
"And I understand that. If only we could remember how we always leave with a sense of accomplishment, like we're doing what we were made for, to help us get out of our chairs," I say.
She agrees, and being the dramatic one that I am, I added one more question. "Just answer me this, Mariela. This decision: is it for your sake, or was it God's idea?"
She laughs. "All right, all right. I'll come. I don't know what I was thinking before."
Phew.
A few minutes later, I get a call from the woman helping with Escuelita. "I've got something prepared," she tells me.
What could have happened had I not said anything? Had I told both of them, "Ok, I'll figure something out"? Sometimes it's a test of leadership; sometimes it's a test of realizing as the body of Christ how much we need each other. How much we really should be depending on each other.
Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Galatians 6:1
Important implications involved in these verses: that we must be walking in the Spirit. That we must be careful ourselves. But over all, that we must say something, even when it is difficult. Take heart, God is with you!
Chau!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Jumping eyes
When you want to say that something pops.. something shines.. in Spanish, you are going to use the verb Saltar. Which makes sense when you think about it; it "jumps" out at you.
For instance, as I make bracelets with Ale and Giselle (and now another woman, but I don't remember her name just now), we are talking about the designs we use. We want certain colors to jump out at you, so it is important to use the "dull" colors to help make that happen. It's art. There's also the highlighter, called here a resaltador.
So I go to visit Maria Elena at the fair in the center of town. I sit by her table and help when I can, which often means serving the Catamarcan version of mate. That is, amargo, or bitter. I also pass it to our vending neighbor, who exchanges one of his sweets for the favor.
Then a man comes over with a microphone discreetly hanging by his side. He looks at the goods that Ma Elena is serving and then looks at me, enjoying my turn for the mate.
"And where are you from?" he asks.
"The United States--"
"THE UNITED STATES... You came all the way from there to sell these sweets???!!!"
I correct him immediately. "No, no. I am here supporting my friend."
"Oh.. okay." But then he pauses. "Can you do me a favor? Can you stay here for a moment? We'll come back with the video camera to ask you a few questions."
The neighboring vender pressed his finger to his eye. It's a body expression here that says "I'm watching you. Behave yourself."
Ha. Anything can happen when you're a foreigner...
Later that same day, a door-to-door vender came to our house. I open the door--
"Hellooo.. WHOA... you're eyes are really jumping out..."
I thanked him for his time after a persistent, yet defeated, effort to sell some lotions and perfumes. When I closed the door I looked at what I was wearing and it finally clicked. I have this bluish green tank top that sort of brings out the color of my eyes. But twice in one day for that kind of attention just made me laugh. I changed, and got ready for the girls' institute for the afternoon.
Chau!
For instance, as I make bracelets with Ale and Giselle (and now another woman, but I don't remember her name just now), we are talking about the designs we use. We want certain colors to jump out at you, so it is important to use the "dull" colors to help make that happen. It's art. There's also the highlighter, called here a resaltador.
So I go to visit Maria Elena at the fair in the center of town. I sit by her table and help when I can, which often means serving the Catamarcan version of mate. That is, amargo, or bitter. I also pass it to our vending neighbor, who exchanges one of his sweets for the favor.
Then a man comes over with a microphone discreetly hanging by his side. He looks at the goods that Ma Elena is serving and then looks at me, enjoying my turn for the mate.
"And where are you from?" he asks.
"The United States--"
"THE UNITED STATES... You came all the way from there to sell these sweets???!!!"
I correct him immediately. "No, no. I am here supporting my friend."
"Oh.. okay." But then he pauses. "Can you do me a favor? Can you stay here for a moment? We'll come back with the video camera to ask you a few questions."
The neighboring vender pressed his finger to his eye. It's a body expression here that says "I'm watching you. Behave yourself."
Ha. Anything can happen when you're a foreigner...
Later that same day, a door-to-door vender came to our house. I open the door--
"Hellooo.. WHOA... you're eyes are really jumping out..."
I thanked him for his time after a persistent, yet defeated, effort to sell some lotions and perfumes. When I closed the door I looked at what I was wearing and it finally clicked. I have this bluish green tank top that sort of brings out the color of my eyes. But twice in one day for that kind of attention just made me laugh. I changed, and got ready for the girls' institute for the afternoon.
Chau!
Friday, March 30, 2012
What I see
 |
| just a little glimpse of what we are making together. |
God has also been blessing the conversation, as there have been some intimate moments of sharing of our lives. More than that, two of the girls came with me to my church. My tiny, neighborhood church that also happens to be my house.
And get this... they want to come back this week!!
??
But what I continue to see are these teenagers, and some who are older women, who have no idea how to take care of their children. Obviously, I am no expert as I have never had kids. But I have this gut feeling that hitting your kid.. screaming at them.. neglecting them.. these actions make the list of what NOT to do.
And while I am excited for my friends to join me at church, it's painful to hear how they don't want certain other girls to come because they don't like them. Or even one who refused mate after seeing one of the other women drink from it.
How do I respond? What I see are hurting women who continue the hurting by discriminating against others. I see hurting children who lack a positive father figure.. a father figure at all.. who lack a mom who shows them the cariñoso kind of love that they also need.
Father, help me to stay positive. Help me to see my role in the lives of these young women. Thank you for all the doors you have opened. I continue to seek your wisdom and guidance as I traverse this unknown territory. You are good; your love endures forever. Amen y chau!
Monday, March 26, 2012
It's time for another...
..you know you're in Argentina when...
Everyone is amazed that you (a girl) are playing soccer. Yeah, yeah, I've mentioned this before, but this is significant. You see, last Friday, the older boys of Las Violetas came during the middle of soccer time. While Cleto and Adam were playing with the young'ns. After a few minutes, apparently the boys just entered into the middle of the soccer court (because it's made of cement) and started bullying the young ones until they left. Discouraged.
About three fourths into our playing time today, the same pre-teen and teens entered the club.
I was on the sidelines at this point, serving some mate. Adam had mentioned how last week the boys wanted mate, and I am getting more and more used to serving it not only at home, but with my gals in the institute. So I brought my mate, bombilla, some sugar and the house thermos with water prepared.
It actually makes me laugh, thinking about the walk over. Two of the younger boys, Johnny and Colorado (as is his nickname, given for his red hair), walked with me. Johnny, ever so curious,
"Seño, me gustan tus ojos. Son tuyos? Son reales?"
"Teacher," he was saying. "I like your eyes. Are they yours? Are they real?"
"Of course," I tell him.
They both looked at my thermos, and started asking if I had brought mate.
"But isn't the water cold?" they asked.
"No, I boiled the water just before coming here!"
"Grosa!"
Johnny then said I was beautiful, but I couldn't tell if it was from the eyes or because of the fact that I brought mate.
But there we were, about an hour later. Older boys making their way. They saw me and paused, looking at each other, looking at me.
"Dame uno?" says one.
"Serve me the mate."
They sat next to me on the sidelines. They refrained from bullying the kids, and instead waited their turn to play. I know it has everything to do with God being gracious to us, and partly to do with their incapacity to comprehend a girl, from the States, playing soccer and serving mate. They began to ask me lots of questions in between game play and after.
Then there was David, who abandoned his team at one point just because we were out of water. While I feared I might have to pay for a new house thermos, he came running back a few minutes later. "Can I serve the mate now?" he shouted.
Like I said, you know you're in Argentina when...
Chau!
post dato: it was an additional blessing to get to pray for them in the end. One of the older boys was behind me while I prayed, smoking a cigarette. I then explained to them how I am selling bracelets to help a friend pay for a crib for her baby coming soon. Precious Johnny said he would buy one as soon as he came up with the money. "Come and explain to my mom why you are selling them, and maybe she will help me!" he said. I was just happy to see where he lives and meet his mom. Who knows what that sort of encounter might lead to...
Everyone is amazed that you (a girl) are playing soccer. Yeah, yeah, I've mentioned this before, but this is significant. You see, last Friday, the older boys of Las Violetas came during the middle of soccer time. While Cleto and Adam were playing with the young'ns. After a few minutes, apparently the boys just entered into the middle of the soccer court (because it's made of cement) and started bullying the young ones until they left. Discouraged.
About three fourths into our playing time today, the same pre-teen and teens entered the club.
I was on the sidelines at this point, serving some mate. Adam had mentioned how last week the boys wanted mate, and I am getting more and more used to serving it not only at home, but with my gals in the institute. So I brought my mate, bombilla, some sugar and the house thermos with water prepared.
It actually makes me laugh, thinking about the walk over. Two of the younger boys, Johnny and Colorado (as is his nickname, given for his red hair), walked with me. Johnny, ever so curious,
"Seño, me gustan tus ojos. Son tuyos? Son reales?"
"Teacher," he was saying. "I like your eyes. Are they yours? Are they real?"
"Of course," I tell him.
They both looked at my thermos, and started asking if I had brought mate.
"But isn't the water cold?" they asked.
"No, I boiled the water just before coming here!"
"Grosa!"
Johnny then said I was beautiful, but I couldn't tell if it was from the eyes or because of the fact that I brought mate.
But there we were, about an hour later. Older boys making their way. They saw me and paused, looking at each other, looking at me.
"Dame uno?" says one.
"Serve me the mate."
They sat next to me on the sidelines. They refrained from bullying the kids, and instead waited their turn to play. I know it has everything to do with God being gracious to us, and partly to do with their incapacity to comprehend a girl, from the States, playing soccer and serving mate. They began to ask me lots of questions in between game play and after.
Then there was David, who abandoned his team at one point just because we were out of water. While I feared I might have to pay for a new house thermos, he came running back a few minutes later. "Can I serve the mate now?" he shouted.
Like I said, you know you're in Argentina when...
Chau!
post dato: it was an additional blessing to get to pray for them in the end. One of the older boys was behind me while I prayed, smoking a cigarette. I then explained to them how I am selling bracelets to help a friend pay for a crib for her baby coming soon. Precious Johnny said he would buy one as soon as he came up with the money. "Come and explain to my mom why you are selling them, and maybe she will help me!" he said. I was just happy to see where he lives and meet his mom. Who knows what that sort of encounter might lead to...
Sunday, March 25, 2012
They came!
Do you ever get excited about something, but refuse to say anything about it until it actually comes to pass?
You don't want to get your hopes up for it only to be let down.
Because when you get let down, and everyone you had told was expecting something too, you feel like the whole world is looking at you.
So it was with Ale. I know I had mentioned her pulling me aside to ask if she could go to church with us, but I didn't know if it was something she actually wanted. I was equally surprised when I talked to her on the phone the following day, and she had asked if the new girl, Giselle, could come too.
Nevertheless, I refused to get my hopes up. Some might call this lack of faith, but at least I was praying throughout this time of doubt.
On this ever so rainy evening, they had called three times to make sure we were still coming to pick them up. "Of course!" I told them. The kids came too, which made for much disruption, but at the same time, I couldn't help but smile. Step one, come to church. Check.
Now to keep this energy going. I will need more faith, and more courage to see how to keep the conversation going. I am praying for their attendance for our special Easter service. I am praying for transformation in their lives. I am praying for wisdom and action. Chau.
You don't want to get your hopes up for it only to be let down.
Because when you get let down, and everyone you had told was expecting something too, you feel like the whole world is looking at you.
So it was with Ale. I know I had mentioned her pulling me aside to ask if she could go to church with us, but I didn't know if it was something she actually wanted. I was equally surprised when I talked to her on the phone the following day, and she had asked if the new girl, Giselle, could come too.
Nevertheless, I refused to get my hopes up. Some might call this lack of faith, but at least I was praying throughout this time of doubt.
On this ever so rainy evening, they had called three times to make sure we were still coming to pick them up. "Of course!" I told them. The kids came too, which made for much disruption, but at the same time, I couldn't help but smile. Step one, come to church. Check.
Now to keep this energy going. I will need more faith, and more courage to see how to keep the conversation going. I am praying for their attendance for our special Easter service. I am praying for transformation in their lives. I am praying for wisdom and action. Chau.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
It has been a year
Obviously, it has been longer than that. There are a lot of dates to remember.
I've been in Argentina for a year and six months.. just shy of seven really, but I don't know if I should count my time in the States or not.
There are two months until I turn 26.
Johnny, my younger brother here, is turning 18 in a matter of weeks.
But today, today marks a day very special. Last year, I remember celebrating the young Fer Yñiguez' birthday at his home out in the middle of nowhere with all of the other teens from Santa Rosa. There was singing, and I watched with mouth watering as everyone ate these amazing garlic burgers.
Lent will get you every time. haha. (Menos mal este año tuvieron pizza.)
I remember that birthday being amazing because of the testimonies everyone shared for Fer's life. Everyone in a circle spoke of how influential the young man is for their walk with Christ.
And this year, he continued in stride by inviting his friends from school. The intention was for Raul to share about Jesus, and then Fer would share his testimony. As Fer talked about how he himself had never dabbled in drugs or going to boliches, he knows his life has still been full. Better than if he had gone the other route. I admired his courage, and was so glad that the girls from my neighborhood could come to hear his story.
Last year's fiesta was the beginning of some solid relationships with those teens from Santa Rosa. I can't believe that 365 days since then have passed. I am so very thankful.
Chau.
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