Una Semana en Cuernavaca (One Week in Cuernavaca)

The much anticipated move has come and gone. I arrived in Mexico on 1/16/16 and have loved being immersed into the new culture. My week has been very busy filled with language school (M-F from 9:00-1:30), orientation after school, a lot of exploring, and even a day trip to the city Taxco. 

One of the other things I have loved about Cuernavaca so far is how many markets they have. The first day here a few volunteers that have been here for half a year took myself and another new volunteer to two markets- one by NPH and one by the Zocalo (the city center). This is where I discovered the very delicious and very cheap Michelada. It is beer (usually Corona), tabasco sauce, worcestershire sauce, lime and a sweet chili sauce around the rim. It is only about $2.00. At a book market in the city I found where I can get the rest of the Harry Potter books in Spanish. I will be revisiting this market after I finish the first one my sister, Bri, got me for Christmas (Thanks Bri :)). There is also another market by the property that has a liter of fresh juice for only about $1.50, an abundance of fruits and veggies and very delicious quesadillas.  

Last Sunday at dinner we were introduced to the kids. There are about 150 of them ranging from ages 15-22. I haven't interacted with them too much since we have been busy with school and other various activities, but I can't wait to get to know them as the year continues! For prayer before dinner they say my favorite prayer of all time- St. Francis of Assisi's Prayer along with the Lord's Prayer. I have been practicing them in Spanish so that I can pray the prayers with them soon. 

Learning the language (I came down with very, very little Spanish) has been a bit more challenging than I imagined, but I can already tell a difference. I can't speak much of it yet, but I can understand a lot of conversations, which has been wonderful! "Poco a poco" has been a phrase muttered everyday between my roommates and I- "little by little." 

The new NPH volunteers and
 I outside of the NPH church

During orientation one day we were able to explore the zocalo. It was there that we saw the church where NPH was first thought of a little over 60 years ago. A homeless boy stole from the collection basket during mass and the police called Fr. Wasson (the founder) to testify. Instead he decided to take the boy into his home and was provided food, clothes, school, and home for the boy. After that the police called Fr. Wasson whenever they caught a child stealing from the collection basked or who needed help. The first year they had 30 children and have grown exponentially since then (20,500+ children have grown up in an NPH home)! The church was beautiful and quaint. 

Finally, on Saturday we went to Taxco. A fellow volunteer's former host family was wonderful and brought us there. It was about an hour and a half drive up the mountains (we got to about 6500 ft above sea level). Taxco is known as the silver city and it was beautiful. I saw the most breathtaking church I have ever seen and was in heaven when in the jewelry stores. One of the jewelry store owners who was showing us different parts of the city from the balcony stated that Taxco is known for panoramic views and boy was he right. Since Taxco was built by the Spaniards all the architecture looks like Spain and there are cobblestone streets everywhere. I can't wait to go back and explore the city. 

Overall I have been in bliss in Cuernavaca (the City of Eternal Spring). The tacos, the warmth, the chirping birds and being immersed into the language have been just as wonderful as I could have imagined. All the volunteers, staff and children have also been so welcoming to all the new volunteers. I already feel at home :) 

This next week we will be continuing and finishing language school, then one more free weekend and after that I will begin my work with the kids and as the Project Assistant for the two homes. Please continue to pray for the children, the staff of NPH, and the new volunteers as we acclimate to our new lives. Stay tuned! 

God Bless,
Katie 

The view from my apartment's rooftop. I don't think I will ever get sick of this view.

The first of many sunsets.

Michelada

There is artwork like this all over.

Taxco Cathedral

Taxco Cathedral

Taxco

Inside the NPH church 

Man plans, God laughs

“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

One of my favorite proverbs is a Yiddish Proverb: “Der mentsh trakht un got laht”- Man plans, God laughs. If the past few days haven’t been proof of that I don’t know what is. Long story short, I have a lot of people to see in my final weeks in America and two cars broke down in 24 hours in attempt to see some of them. After the first car broke down I was reflecting a lot on what my plan was over the years. If you would have asked me five years ago where I would be today I am positive I would not have told you I would spend a year in Mexico. About a year ago I remember telling a coworker who was going on a vacation in Mexico that I had no interest in ever going there. Man, that must have made God laugh. However, He knows best and I could not be more excited for the adventure that I am about to embark on!

As mentioned in the “about me” section I have wanted to find a long term volunteer opportunity for about five years now. A couple months ago I found Nuestros Pequeños  Hermanos (Our Little Brothers and Sisters), or NPH for short, and fell in love with their mission.

“NPH transforms the lives of abandoned and disadvantaged children with homes, healthcare and educational programs, making a positive impact in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

It’s pretty hard to not fall in love with it if you ask me. Within a few short months everything fell into place and in 10 days I will be venturing to Cuernavaca, Mexico (50 miles south of Mexico City) for a year. NPH has two Mexico homes (one for younger children and one for teenagers) and Cuernavaca is the teenager’s home.

Aside from getting my butt kicked in Fútbol, I will be the Project Assistant for half the day and the other half I will be hanging out with the kids and serving them either lunch or dinner. I plan on explaining my position after I have settled and have a better grasp on my roles. Overall, when people ask how I am feeling the only emotion I have used is excited. I can’t wait to see how the pequeños change me, to fall in love with a new culture and language, for the trials I will face and grow from, the new family and friends I will make, and to serve God, His children and bring His word with me. It’s going to be a great year!

Stay tuned as this gringa moves south of the border to the City of Eternal Spring.

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11

God bless,

Katie

Praises:

• For Fr. Wasson (founder of NPH) and all the hard working staff, volunteers and benefactors that have helped mold NPH into what it is today.
• For God’s plan for all of us, for it is way better than we could ever have in mind.

Prayers:

• For God to keep help keep the future volunteers safe as we travel to Mexico.
• For the Lord to help us surrender our wants and desires to best serve and love Him and the children.