Getting Adjusted

 This week I started my visa process. It’s not the easiest to do and especially because we live on the outskirts of the city, it gets really tedious having to go in and out of the city. I got to experience my first Trufi rides. Trufi is a car/van that fits about 8 ppl and has a set route, we take one from Okinawa to Montero, and another from Montero to Santa Cruz. So you are sitting in a car for about 45 minutes to an hour both ways with people you don’t know. The visa process is long so we are going to be riding a lot of Trufis these first couple of weeks, maybe even month, who knows. Oh, and a lot of taxis too. Santa Cruz is a busy city. We went through all the necessary places for the visa, but some of them we are going to have to come back because they were closed =( bummer. We had lunch in the city afterward, at an “Irish Pub”, of all places lol. But the food was really good. I try to stay away from eating the salads because we don’t know if they wash the lettuce with faucet water, it’s something you have to be careful around here, you can get really sick, but the rest of the food was good. After lunch we took the long ride back home. That was most part of our day, but once we arrived home I helped Stephanie tutor English to an 18-year-old young man named Toshiki who is Japanese and came to Bolivia when he was 6 years old. He needs to learn English because he’s heading to China to find products to import and export. We first started with simple conversations to get to know me because I’m new, so he asked me a couple of questions in English. He did pretty well I must say. After that we played Pictureka, which I am so happy I brought because it really helps to teach English, who knew LOL! After tutoring Toshiki we headed to our Confirmation meeting for a bit and then Steph and I headed back home because we were hungry. And that pretty much sums up Tuesday.

On Wednesday I got to go to my first community. These are places around Okinawa that are extremely poor but we go out to their schools, which most of the time can consist of only 3 rooms in one school and in very, very poor conditions. When we drove to the school today, I didn’t know what to expect, but once we arrived in the classroom, the kids were just so SO happy. It still baffles me how excited this kids are whenever they see us, and this is not just in this specific place, but everywhere in Okinawa, you encounter them once, and they just absolutely love you. Katie, Steph and Judy say that sometimes you have to be careful because they just jump on you out of nowhere just to give you a hug! That hasn’t happened to me yet haha, but I appreciate the hugs, the kids do make all the difference, and that’s when you remember why you signed up to do this! <3

I introduced myself as teacher Lorena, “teacher” is what they call us here…you no longer have a first name lol…it’s always “teacher” or “teacher Lorena” =) cute. I also got to share the story of the Rainbow Fish with them, and had some of them act it out. They enjoyed it a lot. After teaching them a story that has a certain message we played with them outside. I played jump rope with them and I taught them how to jump to the “Teddy Bear” song. =) That was awesome to see. I really enjoyed going to the community, it’s really just like Don Bosco’s Oratory. I loved it! After community, we had lunch back at the sisters house and after lunch, Katie and I got ready to teach her English classes at “San Francisco Xavier” school. She teaches two 4^th grade classes and one 5^th grade class. These kids have so much energy, they are always jumping off the walls, and they cannot stay seated as much as you tell them to, but they are awesome! And they are very smart, affectionate too, and really funny. I had to introduce myself as the new teacher, as they asked me, in English, what my name was, where I was from, how old I am, and when is my birthday =). I think they got a little confused that I was both American and Mexican lol and that my Spanish is a little different than theirs so I’m beginning to realize that I have to not just translate English but my “Mexican” Spanish, and they have to translate their Spanish to me as well LOL! I also have to be careful with some of my Spanish words, because some mean something inappropriate here…lol for example, here, loca (which means crazy) can also mean prostitute…lol who knew?! So I now have to be careful with that one =)

That's all my clothes on the line =). I'm so proud of myself.

On Thursday we headed out to another community around Okinawa. We did the same story on the rainbow fish. The kids were wonderful as well. Most of the time the older ones bring in their little brothers or sisters or even nephews or nieces, so in most of the groups you have different age groups ranging from 1 to 14 years old. They are all really cute, but are very poor. One of the little boys, had a badly infected hand. These kids get insect bites and most of the time they are not well taken care of and they live in bad conditions so they get really infected. It’s really sad to see. So we are trying to figure out a way to help them. After that we had lunch and headed back home. I had some extra time to kill so I decided to wash some clothes. It was my first hand wash!!! I think I did pretty good for it being my first time. It’s kind of relaxing washing by hand, it’s a whole experience. Once I finished I felt so accomplished!!! It was such a great feeling!!! =) It’s the little things you get through daily that make this such a wonderful experience. Afterward we went to Dona Deli’s house. She teaches Katie how to crochet and we pretty much just sit there and relax with her and just talk. It feels good to do that after a long day. We ended our day with mass, which really just is the cherry on top of the day. =)

This little one was one of the girl's sister, she is 1. Most kids take care of their younger siblings during school

Friday we went to our last community of the week. In this particular community, we pick up kids from one school and put them in our truck. I got to sit with them in the back =) it was so fun. They are so loud and hilarious, always talking, and screaming at Katie if she took the wrong way. =) We have so much fun with them. They are all very sweet. And they were extremely entertained with my iphone, they loved watching videos of my Rambo =) (that's my chocolate lab) and my cat =).

 After community we taught our last class of the week, 6^th grade. Katie had me write on the board, little did I know that they’d start correcting my Spanish, letting me know where to put my accent marks…lol. Once we were done teaching them the weather in English, we played with them, but my group was much more entertained asking me questions on being Mexican American and if I had brothers or sisters, on about my Spanish. I would tell them how I said certain Spanish words and they’d teach me theirs.

Playing tug of war

This week has been really good, though I’m still getting adjusted to this whole experience, but so far so good. The kids are what make everything so much better here. I am really enjoying myself so far. =)

Here are some pictures for you to enjoy =)

With some of the kids

We were trying to make a star, that obviously didn't work lol

Little Blue Fish, meet Rainbow fish

Just keep swimming, just keep swimming

 

Hard to Say Goodbye

(side note: SLM's means Salesian Lay Missioners)

I have finally arrived to Bolivia!

I didn't know that saying goodbye was going to be hard, it was very.....heartbreaking. And certain things happen that you can not explain, but they might just be for the best. But like I always say, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel and if you love something (someone) so much, you let it (them) go and if it (they) come(s) back it's meant to be. Everything has been happening so fast it's been difficult to process but I know with the help of my Lord, I will be alright. I felt lonely getting on that plane so, yes, there were many tears shed but I prayed along the way and that helped me so much. 

While waiting in Miami for my flight to Bolivia, I met a very nice woman who is from Cochabamba. She was very sweet and very motherly towards me, I didn't feel so lonely after meeting her. She made me feel really calm. She went as far as to giving me her number so that I can visit her in Cochabamba. She was so kind. It's nice to know that God really puts angels in our midst. 

Going through immigration in Bolivia was really easy for me. I had no problem what so ever and I was also really lucky with my bags, they all arrived sound and safe =). Stephanie, Katie, Judy and Sor Nora were all there to welcome me, so I felt sooooo much better once I got to see them. They are all very nice. 

From the airport we headed to a school that is run by the Salesian Sisters, they were all so kind and gave us some cookies and Coke to drink. I opted for water. One of the sisters needed a ride to the plaza in Montero, but the truck only fits five including the driver so Steph and I decided to ride on the back of the truck, I love riding on the backs of trucks, maybe of course NOT when it rains, but it wasn't, so it was quite enjoyable. Once we arrived to the plaza, we walked around because they were having a Catholic Fair put on by the parish that is there, I don't remember the name. We bought lunch, which took a while to get, like about an hour or so. We took it to go, and ate it along the way to Okinawa. 

Before actually arriving to Oki, we stopped by a home. Sor Nora wanted to visit the family that lives there. The rest of the SLM's and I waited in the truck. This family is very poor, and they have 10 children. One of the boys, who seemed like about 12ish, older than the others, was outside cleaning a chair, you could tell he wasn't healthy, he had trouble walking. Some of his brothers and sister were outside playing as well. They ended up bringing us some cold Coca Cola in a cup, one for each of us, which I thought was very sweet since it's probably the only bottle they have. I don't drink soda, but I just couldn't reject it. It was so kind of them. Apparently in Bolivia, they love to drink Coca Cola a lot, it's a social thing, especially on a hot day, and believe me, it's hot and humid here, so that Coke tasted really good. 

Once Sor Nora was done, we were starting up the truck to head to Okinawa, but the truck wouldn't start. Apparently the battery is old, but luckily it's stick shift, so we all got off to push the truck, while Sor Nora put it on neutral to start it. Talk about an initiation =). But I didn't mind at all. =) Finally we arrived to Okinawa, and I got to see where I live. It's a really nice, small and humble home with the normal necessities. I share a room with Judy and I sleep on the top bunk =). The bunk bed is surrounded by a mosquito net, which is reeeeealllly helpful. (side note: I did get initiated by two mosquitos already =) yaaaaaaay)

It was Sunday, so after getting a bit settled in we headed to the church, and part of the SLMs work is to help out with Confirmation. Katie said I didn't have to go but I decided I would, just so that I can see how it goes. Right away I was put in a classroom with one of the sisters. The young ppl here, are very interesting, you can tell they are the typical teen not interested in Confirmation, idk if any of them are even ready. But ppl try their best and I saw right away how different their culture is from mine but I'm not here to judge, I'm here to help, and if I can bring that Salesian Spirit and love of Christ that I have to these young ppl somehow, then I've done my job. They may look at me weird, and probably are already, but that's ok, because I am who I am. They made a comment about my spanish, they said I sounded like if I was an Espanola, lol someone from Spain, interesting. I told them I wasn't, but I spoke differently because my family is Mexican. 

Confirmation here, starts at 4 and ends at 8, which in my opinion and in other SLM's opinion is too long for the teens, but who are we to judge, we are just here to help and make it as much more enjoyable as possible.

After Mass, we headed back to our home and had a small dinner. I took a shower, which felt soooooo refreshing after the long trip though I had some trouble getting warm water, so I took a cold shower, not the best feeling, but luckily because it was so hot and humid, it felt like heaven. I need to make sure I get it right for when we have cold weather. Cold showers then, wouldn't be fun at all. 

So this is all I have for now. I'm not going to lie that it's a bit overwhelming, but I hope to get the hang of everything soon! All the sisters are sweet, and I can't wait to meet the little ones. Keep praying for me, and I will pray for you all back home.

If want to email me it's: lorena.zamora21@gmail.com (we can also do google hangout with this email if you have google plus, but schedule a date with me first)

Contact me through google voice: 323-609-DIOS <----not kidding (I'll get a cell soon enough)

Skype me: lorena.zamora21 (we will schedule)

Send me letters or packages ( I WILL ABSOLUTELY APPRECIATE THESE) to: 

Hogar Sagrado Corazon

Casilla 4

Montero, Santa Cruz, Bolivia

or Facebook me...

Just to let you know, I won't be having a lot of time to contact all of you, because I won't be on the internet all the time. We are always busy. So just keep a look out for when I'm online and don't feel bad if I don't respond quickly to your messages, but please don't hesitate to send me an email or two, it really does help me continue my mission because I do miss home, and contact me to schedule dates.

I miss you all!

Lorena <3