Día del Niño

August 16 is el Día del niño (Day of the child) in Paraguay, but because it rained, we celebrated this past Tuesday in jardín. It was nuts! Hermana Graciela decided that instead of gathering all of the kids together like we did for the cumpleaños party, the teachers would decorate each of the rooms separately (table cloths, decorations, balloons, etc.). As I’m sure any teacher can tell you, trying to decorate a room with the kids inside is a disaster, as is setting out centerpieces filled with snacks that you don’t want them to eat until later. Regardless of the craziness it was a blast and filled with hilarious moments. Hermana Graciela and one of the girls from JOMICA put on a puppet show, we face painted, had balloons, ate hotdogs and cake and had soda (in itself another disaster…not sure who thought 3-year-olds could each handle their own mini bottle without spilling).  The kids loved it and the teachers too (I think…). 

 

Congreso Canossiano 2012—Posadas, Argentina

Since 1985, the sisters Canossian sisters have held an annual Congreso Canossiano or a meeting of young people that they work with throughout Argentina and here in Paraguay. This year more than 400 young adults gathered to celebrate in Posadas, Argentina. I was a little apprehensive about Congreso since it was a weekend long retreat packed with having to talk in complete Spanish for more than 48 hours. Retreats in the past have been somewhat difficult for me (remember Pentecost?), but I tried to go in with a positive attitude.I asked a lot of people to pray for me, and gracias a Dios it worked. With the exception of a few uncomfortable moments (sleeping on a concrete floor in a room full of girls giggling and unfortunately snoring, having a stomach ache for 2 days, and taking a cold shower with barely any water pressure) it was a blast! I will admit thought that when Aldo (one of the guys in our group) asked me on Friday night if I wanted to go home I lied when I said no. After Friday however, time really did fly by and at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday I couldn't believe it was already over.

We didn’t have to travel very far (only across the international bridge) to get to Posadas, but our trip was anything but short. Occasionally the bridge between Posadas and Encarnación closes, and Friday happened to be one of those times due to a protest in Posadas. Cars weren’t allowed to cross, but luckily the international buses between the two cities were allowed to drop people off at the customs building and then turn around. We were about 35 in total and split up into groups to fit on the buses and make our way across. As we drove past all the cars lined up on the Paraguayan side waiting to cross I couldn’t believe it. The line went on for at least a mile and the bridge didn’t open until 8:30 that night (we crossed around 2 p.m.). I later asked Gladys if this happens a lot and she yes; people will even wait in their cars overnight if they have to. 

Our group was first to cross and our last group arrived 2 hours later. If anything, my time here has taught me how to patiently wait. Luckily one of the buses from another group came and picked us up on the Argentinean side and finally made our way to Congreso. 

Waiting on the Argentinean side of customs.

Walking to catch our bus to Congreso.

Each day different groups from all of the cities where the Canossian sisters work planned activities (prayers, games, dances, songs and videos) and shared a little bit about what they do in their community. It was a great bonding experience with my group JOMICA and was fun to meet new people and catch up with the sisters. I practiced speaking English with a group from Posadas, got to meet Hermana Hilda who just came to Argentina from Monterrey, Mexico (part of the Cristo Rey/North American province so she knew a lot of the sisters that I met in Albuquerque), and spoke with lay Canossians about my volunteer experience. With 400 young people willingly and enthusiastically giving up a weekend to participate in Congreso you can tell that the sisters are making a huge difference here, and you can tell how much they’re loved based on the constant stream of young people running up and giving them hugs. 

The sign I made of photos of JOMICA to display at Congreso

With Gabby, the girl that visits our house on weekends in her discernment about becoming a nun.

 

The sisters' rock band that performed Saturday night.

Mass Sunday

With Hermana Hilda who just arrived from Monterrey, Mexico (Cristo Rey Province represent!)

 

Gladys came! So glad to have someone else that wasn't really into dancing! Plus, she was willing to escape with me Saturday night so we could actually have a hot shower.

After JOMICA did their dance everyone else joined in.

 

In short,  I survived my first Congreso, and yes, even enjoyed it.

I’m published…in Spanish!!

With much help from Marilú (my Spanish teacher/conversation partner), I’m now a published writer in Spanish! The sisters asked me if I could write up a short article about my experience as a volunteer in Paraguay so far for their August newsletter. Writing down my thoughts in Spanish was a fun challenge, although it was sometimes frustrating because some of the “clever” things I wanted to say didn’t quite translate and my grammar skills aren't exactly up to par. Regardless, I think I was still able to keep some of the “me-ness” and still get my point across. 

Here’s the original version and translated into English:

Testimonio de Hiliary Voluntaria en Paraguay

Con toda honestidad no sabía mucho de Paraguay cuando las Hermanas Canossianas primero me dijeron que iba a servir aquí. Solamente sabía que este país es vecino de Brasil, Argentina y Bolivia y también que yo necesitaba a aprender nuevos idiomas. Hace cinco meses que estoy aquí y estaré cinco meses más. He aprendido mucho, pero todavía tengo mucho por aprender. Estoy agradecida por todas las cosas que he experimentado hasta ahora, y estoy muy entusiasmada por lo que me queda por experimentar. A veces es una lucha para mí estar lejos de mi familia y amigos, pero me encanta la gente que he conocido y estoy disfrutando de mi tiempo mucho.

Mi ministerio favorito es mi trabajo en el jardín de infantes. Soy maestra ayudante en la Sala Roja con los niños de tres años y me encanta todo de ellos—incluso los que se portan mal. Empezamos nuestro día con canciones, primero para saludar a Jesusito, a María y a San José, después una canción para la bandera y muchas otras más canciones. Las canciones son muy divertidas y también me han ayudado a aprender castellano y un poquito de guaraní (por ahora mi vocabulario es más o menos 10 palabras). Después, tomamos la merienda y a veces estoy asombrada por la cantidad de leche que los niños pueden beber. Por último, jugamos y luego trabajamos. Estoy aprendiendo muchas cosas de los niños—como enseñar, como cuidar, y como hacer muchos animales y maquinas de plastilina. ­También, aprendí a tener más paciencia.

Algunas tardes soy maestra en las clases de apoyo con niños de segundo y primer grado. Tenía miedo primero porque no sabía cómo ensenar a niños porque no sé bien su idioma. Pero Dios sabe lo que está haciendo. Hay niños a quienes tenemos que enseñarles las letras porque no saben, y otros necesitan ayuda para la lectura en castellano—cosas muy  básico. Yo entiendo el esfuerzo de ellos porque yo también lo experimenté. A veces el trabajo es muy difícil porque los niños no quieren a aprender, pero también es un trabajo muy gratificante para educación a una vida mejor.

Cuando no trabajo como maestra, soy ayudante en el centro de salud con las hermanas. Primero fui su secretaria anotando pesos, presiones, y temperaturas. Me gustó mucho especialmente cuando no podía hablar con la gente porque no le entendía. Pero ahora, estoy aprendiendo a hacer todo—como a pesar, tomar la tempera­tura, medir la estatura y notar los datos para las doctoras y nutricionista. Tenemos que cuidar de los cuerpos que Dios nos da, y estoy feliz porque puedo ayudar. 

Otros días me voy con la Hermana Magdalena para visitar a los enfermos y dar avisos a la gente del barrio que está debajo del puente internacional. La gente vive una forma de vida muy distinta a la que yo vivo y a mí me encanta escuchar sus historias. Este barrio también está donde muchos de nuestros estudiantes de jardín y de clases de apoyo viven y es interesante ver a ellos en sus hogares. Una parte de nuestro trabajo fue anotar todos sobre los niños que necesitan ser bautizados y hay un montón. Celebramos nuestro primer bautismo este mes con 21 niños.  La experiencia fue muy hermosa y muy especial por poder participar en el sacramento de algunos de mis estudiantes.

Estando en América del Sur es una experiencia muy maravillosa para mí fe. La devoción de la gente es muy distinta, especialmente a María. Es interesante ver como personas católicas en un otro país alaban y espero que pueda llevar algunas tradiciones conmigo cuando vuelva a mi país. A veces me siento que esta experiencia es demasiado para me fe porque las hermanas (y algunas otras personas que conocí aquí) tienen un nivel de fe mucho más alto que el mío, pero yo se que ellas están aquí para ayudarme, guiarme y también a ser mis amigos. Y por eso, estoy agradecida. No sé si mi fe va a inspirar a cualquier persona, pero está bien porque la fe de otras sin duda me ha inspirado. Y posiblemente ese es el plan de Dios. Vamos a ver y voy a estar abierto a lo que Él me pide.

Testament of Hiliary, volunteer in Paraguay

In all honesty I didn’t know much about Paraguay when the Canossian sisters told me that I would be serving here. I only knew that it was next to Brazil, Argentina and Bolivia, and that I also needed to learn new languages. I’ve been here for five months (now 6), and I have five more (now less than 4) months left to serve. I have learned a lot, but I still have much more to learn. I am grateful for all of the things that I have experienced so far, and I am very excited for what I still have to experience. Sometimes it is a struggle for me to be so far away from my family and friends, but I love the people that I’ve come to know here and I’m enjoying my time here so much.

My favorite service is my work in the preschool. I’m a teacher’s assistant in the Sala Roja (Red Room) with three-year-olds, and I love all of them--even the ones that behave badly. We begin our day with songs; first to say hello to Jesus, Mary and Saint Joseph, and then a song for the flag and many others. The songs are really fun and they have also helped me learn Spanish and a little bit of Guarani (currently my vocabulary in Guarani is about 10 words). After the songs, we eat a snack (milk and bread with marmalade) and sometimes I’m amazed at how much milk some of the kids can drink. After snack, we play and work. I’m learning a lot of things from the kids inlcuding how to teach, how to take care of and watch them, and how to make a lot of animals and machines out of clay. Also, I’ve learned to have a lot more patience. 

Some afternoons I’m a teacher in tutoring classes with kids in second and first grade. I was scared at first because I didn’t know how I could teach the kids since I didn’t know Spanish that well. But, God knew what he was doing. There are kids that we are teaching the letters to because they still don’t know them, and others that need help with reading in Spanish and other basic things. I understand their struggle with these things, since I’ve also experienced it. Sometimes the work is very hard because the kids don’t want to learn, but it is also work that is very fulfilling and gratifying because we can help them have a better life.

When I‘m not working as a teacher, I’m a helper in the Health Center with the sisters. First I was more or less a secretary writing down weights, temperatures and blood pressures. I liked it a lot, especially when I couldn’t talk with the people since I didn’t understand Spanish. But now, I’m learning to do everything, how to weight, take temperatures, measure height and write down the data for the doctors and nutritionist. It’s important to take care of the kids that God gave us, and I’m happy to help even if it’s in a small way.

Other days I go with Sister Magdalena to visit the sick and give news to the people that live in the neighborhood underneath the international bridge. The people here live a life very different from my own, and I love to hear their stories. Many of our students from preschool and tutoring classes live her too, so it’s interesting to see them in their homes. A part of our work was to take a census all of the kids in the neighborhood that needed to be baptized—and there were a TON. We celebrated our first baptism in July with 21 kids. It was a beautiful experience and was really special to be able to participate in the sacrament of some of my students.

Being in South America is a wonderful experience for my faith. The devotion of the people is very distinct, especially to Mary. It’s interesting to see how Catholics in other countries worship, and I hope that I can bring some of these traditions back with me when I return to the United States. Although I sometimes feel overwhelmed and that the experience is too much because the sisters (and some other people that I’ve met here) have a level of faith that is a lot higher than mine,  I know that they are here to help me, guide me and to also be my friends. And for this, I’m grateful. I don’t know if my faith is going to inspire anyone, but that’s OK because without a doubt their faith has inspired me. And, maybe that’s God’s plan. We’ll just have to see, and I’ll be open to whatever He asks of me.

Preciosas

Natalia and her sister, Lili.

At the beginning of the school year I mentioned that I had a special student, Nati. Due to her family circumstances she's now living in a home for young girls where her older sister, Lili, had already been living and it's really for the best. She's only been there a few days, but things are already looking better. Saturday I stopped by for a visit with her and the other girls that live there. I'll be sad not getting to see her everyday in jardín, but knowing that she's well taken care and living with her sister is what really matters. Plus, I've got the go ahead to come by and visit whenever, so that helps, too.

Social Life!

Last weekend I got to have my first social evening out with the young adults of JOMICA, and it was a blast. Being able to do things with friends has been one of the things that I've really missed in this experience, so I was ecstatic when they asked me if I wanted to go out. We went out for pizza (got to enjoy my fave pepperoni, green peppers and onions), then ice cream and after hit up the costenera (boardwark along the Rio Parana) to take in the scenery, chat and enjoy a cold beer (even if it was Miller). I had a great time and can't wait for our next outing!

Visitors!! (Parte 3: Encarnación y mi vida normal)

Saturday morning we had a party at the health center to celebrate the 5^th year anniversary of it being open with games and snacks for the kids. It was great to be able to show Mom some of the things that I do and for her to get to meet some of my students. In the afternoon, I gave Mom and Grandma a little tour of Encarnación and what I do on my Saturdays (lots of walking and usually hitting up the grocery store).

Sunday we headed to the ruins of the Santísima Trinidad. I broke out the guidebook and acted as our tour guide. It was a little hot, but after being bundled up and relying on my space heater for the past month or so I’ll take the heat any day.

Monday was back to work in jardín. It was SO great to see the kids again after nearly two weeks,  and it was neat to be able to show Mom and Grandma my favorite part of what I actually do here. And, just as I did, they fell in love with the kids instantly.

Monday afternoon, we headed to the neighborhood under the bridge to do our visits and to give away some clothes. I know it was an eye opening experience for Mom, like I’ve said before nothing can prepare you for how you feel when you see it firsthand. It was fun to introduce her to some of the people that we often visit, too since I’d been telling them that my mom was going to come. In addition to being able to get a glimpse of what life is like there for the people, she was also able to experience a glimpse of some of the difficulties I faced in the beginning (and still face sometimes even now) of wanting to talk and communicate with the people, but not being able to because of the language barrier.

 It was a pretty laid back week in the afternoons, especially because we had some rain, so unfortunately Mom and Grandma didn’t really get to see much of the health center. We were supposed to have a Mass outside in the barrio under the bridge on Wednesday night, but right when we got there the people decided it was too cold and that no one was really going to come so it was cancelled. Guess that’s just another Paraguayan cultural thing for Mom to experience.

Mom and Grandma cooked an American meal for the sisters (rosemary chicken with raspberry jalapeño jam, my favorite tomato, garlic and basil pasta, a fresh salad with ranch and Italian dressings mom brought from the States, apple crisp and homemade ice cream. It was delicious!! I’ve learned to really like some of the foods here, but I had to agree with Grandma when she said, “It sure is nice to have some American food.”

By Thursday it was time to say goodbye. The sisters arranged for Mom and Grandma to see the shrine and sanctuary of the Virgen de Itacua. The loved it, and it was a perfect ending to our trip. I’m so grateful for their visit, and the memories of this trip will stay with me forever. Mom and Grandma, I can’t say thank you enough for coming to see me, and I hope that you guys enjoyed being here as much as I enjoyed having you. It wasn’t the most restful, relaxing, luxurious or even comfortable vacation, but it was definitely one of my favorites.

Click here or visit my Photos page to see my photos of our trip on Facebook