A month in Mexico, my first two weeks of work, and Pope Francis

Well, I have officially been in Mexico for one month and two days. I wish I would have been better at writing down different tidbits of my days here because after working for two weeks straight all the days sort of merge together. Two weeks ago myself and another new volunteer moved into our new apartment with a volunteer that has been here for 6 months already. After unpacking the first night and settling in I already felt at home. 

The new fish pond that was from my first day on the job.

One of the beautiful kids from Miacatlan

A quick reminder that I am the Project Assistant for both homes. So myself and the Project Coordinator create, plan, and see through various projects that either homes need. We have about 20 current projects that are mainly construction projects, repairing things around the homes, and purchasing supplies for the children, schools, and various items for the home. 
I have enjoyed learning about the Mexican business culture and how it differs from the United States. My first day on the job was baptism by fire. Myself and the Project Coordinator went to the Miacatlan home to oversee the installation of a multipurpose pond whose membrane was donated by a donor from the states. It will be used to irrigate crops, store water during the rainy season to help put out fires during the dry season, and breed fish for the children to eat. The donor and her family came down to oversee it as well. It was wonderful to hear about her story about falling in love with NPH and the fundraising/donating process. We also met with a couple different contractors, architects and had other various meetings- all in Spanish.. Luckily my boss speaks English and translated what I didn't understand (which let's be honest- it was most of it). We have been down to Miacatlan a few other times for various projects and the rest of the time in the office has been spent working on projects, laughing, and attempting to teach me Spanish. 

Some of the kids from the kinder section in Miacatlan

The second half of the days I have spent with the kids who have stolen my heart. On "long week" after working in the office from 8:30-1:30 we work from 4:00-9:00 with the kids. From 4:00-5:00 we hang out with them, 5:00-6:00 is homework hour where we either just chat with them or help with any homework- so far I am only able to help with their English homework, 6:00-7:30 are activities- each day they vary, but most days there is dance, futbol, basketball, music, volleyball, and running, and T/Th the girls have a program called Chica's that my roommate runs. My favorite to participate in so far has been running. Then we serve them dinner from 8:00-8:30 or so then bed at about 9:00. One of the highlights of each day is going around the girls dorm and saying goodnight to them. During "short week" after the office we work from 2:30-6:00. We serve lunch, hang out with them, and then help during homework hour. I love just hanging out with the kids, kicking around a soccer ball and attempting to speak Spanish to them. My Spanish has gotten better in the past few weeks, thanks to many of the kids who have been helping me, but I definitely have a long long way to go. During the working weekend in between long and short week it was a lot of relaxation. After the long school week the kids just want to relax. I watched my first telenovela, ran around, and just continued to get to know them. On Superbowl Sunday my roommate and I thought we were going to have to beg them to put on the game for us, but when we went downstairs they had it on the big screen. It was pretty entertaining to hear "si, si, si," or "va, va, va," ("go, go, go") being yelled during a football game, but nonetheless it was wonderful to share the experience with them. Overall, my first two weeks of work were filled with many emotions, but the two most prevalent feelings were joy and love. One of my best things is how many hugs I give and receive throughout the day, even from kids I haven't gotten a chance to talk to yet. It's truly wonderful! I can already tell that these kids are going to completely capture my heart.  

One of the beautiful girls that has become one
of my many Spanish teachers and running
buddies.

After two long weeks of work it was finally the weekend off. Emily (my roommate), Kevin (a Miacatlan volunteer), and I made a journey to see Pope Francis in Mexico City and boy was it ever an adventure. Never again will I be able to say that I slept in the city center of one of the biggest cities in the world. We decided that in order to see Pope Francis up close we would join many others in sleeping in the zocalo. Around midnight we got in line and at 2:00 we were in the zocalo with a sheet for warmth, a backpack as a pillow, and a lot of excitement for the morning to come. To say the least we were very unprepared to sleep in 40 degree weather. At one point when we were trying to sleep Emily decided it would be a good idea to use a chip bag that was unopened for a pillow. Later in the evening we decided to switch pillows and when she realized I wasn't getting comfortable with the chip bag (because who would?!) she said "I can use the chip bag as a pillow, I have gotten used to it." Probably the best quote that came from the weekend. The time finally came for Pope Francis to start his journey to the Cathedral (in the zocalo). He first stopped at the Mexico City Palace (also in the zocalo) to meet with the Mexico president and many Mexico leaders and diplomats, as well as give a speech. If you have time you should read through it, it was very well writen (Pope Francis welcoming speech). After all night of waiting and hours of standing we finally saw the Holy man himself. It was very quick (30 seconds to a minute) but just so powerful to be in the presence of one of my favorite people in the world. We estimated we were about 150-200 feet from him and six rows from the security fence. So sleeping overnight in the zocalo was worth it not only for the experience, but also for being so close to Papa Francisco. We didn't do much the rest of the weekend since we were so exhausted from our Saturday adventure. But we did go to the Cathedral for mass on Sunday, wandered around the zocalo, and explored Chapultapec Park (the Central Park of Mexico City). 

Papa in front of the Cathedral.

Mexico City Cathedral 

View of Mexico City from Chapultapec Park

So, my first two weeks of work were wonderful and I can already tell that I am going to learn an immense amount about Mexico business, Spanish, and love within the next 11 months. I can't wait to see what is to come. Please continue to pray for the children- especially for God to mold their hearts during this Lenten season, the NPH staff and volunteers, and for Pope Francis' words and impact on his visit to Mexico to implement changes throughout the country. Thanks for bearing through the longer post. Until next time!

God bless,
Katie 

Week two in Mexico

The second week in Mexico flew by. In fact, I am worried that this entire year will be like that. Most of the week wasn't too exciting. We attended language school, had orientation, embraced the sunshine, and studied our Spanish at night, we didn't have much time or energy left to explore. The end of the week came and I couldn't help but have a huge grin on my face and think "Gracias a Dios es Viernes"- Thank God it's Friday! Not only were we done with language school, but it meant that next week we would start working with the kids and in the office, in addition it was a long weekend- Friday Feb 5 is "National Constitution Day" so we get today off from work. 

The weekend was the by far the best part of the week. On Saturday three of us went to the Zocalo and wandered throughout the various markets that they have on the weekend. While wandering we found a Chocolatier. It was beautiful and delicious. As we sipped our chocolate drinks I couldn't help but feel like I was in the movie "Chocolat"- If you haven't seen it carve out some time in your week, turn on Netflix and fall in love with Johnny Depp and chocolate all over again. Saturday night was one of my favorite nights here. Two of my fellow volunteers (on their weekend off I have to add) organized a "pijamada fiesta" (pajama party) for the ninos, there were about 20 of them. The weekend before one of the volunteers had a pajama party for the girls and the boys asked if they could have one too. It consisted of a lot of popcorn with chili salsa, chips with chili salsa, coffee and 8 hours of movies. Some of the ninos brought their mattresses from their dorms and piled them in the middle so they could all comfortably lie down as they watched the movies. I wish I would have taken a picture because it's hard to imagine a bunch teenage boys sharing about eight mattresses, but it was adorable. 

On Sunday morning myself, Jessi (a fellow volunteer), Celso (a member of Jessi's former host family), and drove to Puebla, Pueba, which is about a two hour drive from Cuernavaca. It is a city filled with cobble stone streets, multicolored buildings, and an insane amount of churches. The city, even for Mexico, is incredibly Catholic- the full name of the city is Puebla de los Angeles, "People of the Angels." After walking around the city and eating Mole (which the city is known for) we adventured to Cholula, Puebla. Cholula is a city west of Puebla and it is known for the amount of churches- for roughly 200,000 residents there are 37 churches plus a bunch of small chapels within the city. One of the famous churches in Cholula is Santuario de la Vigen de lost Remedios. It is a beautiful church whose architecture is stunning. The church is known for the Virgin Mary blessing and being dedicated to the poor. Finally, it has a phenomenal view of Popacateptl (Popo)- one of the biggest active volcanos in Mexico. We could see smoke coming out of Popo, it was very cool. Pause reading this blog and Google "Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedies," it's breathtaking. As we watched the sunset behind Popo I couldn't help but reflect on my first two weeks in Mexico. I was overcome with all the blessings I have experienced so far. God is good. After the sunset we went back to Puebla and explored the city at night for a little while. We went on one of the biggest ferris wheels in the world and we were able to see the city and much more at night, 'twas lovely.  

And here I am, about to embark on week three. Today two of us moved into our permanent apartment for the year on the NPH property and the other two volunteers move to the other orphanage in Miacatlan tomorrow morning to start their work with the younger children. On Wednesday we start working with the kids and in the offices. I am very excited to begin this next part of my Mexican adventure. Stay tuned and please continue to pray for the ninos, NPH staff and the volunteers. 

Dios Bendiga (God Bless),
Katie 

Santuario de la Virgen de los Remedios

Sunset with Popo 

Santuario de la Vigen de los Remedios 

A nonactive volcano next to Popo,
Izaccihuat is Nahuatl for "White Woman,"
reflecting the four individual snow-capped peak which
depict the head, chest, knees and feet of a sleeping female. 

The Chocolatier

Just a gringa having some coffee
from the Gringo Cafe