DAY EIGHT August 13, 2015
Encounter. Be Disturbed. Response. We asked ourselves what is our response to
the experience of being with and becoming a Pequeño. As they say it "aguantar"
or To Endure. Sacrifice for the needs of others we learned are at the heart of
what it means to be a Pequeño which is also the foundation of our Catholic
faith.
DAY SEVEN August 12, 2015
A small group visited the NPH clinic to observe the care for children in
the community surrounding campus. A small girl with cerebral palsy visits
several times a week for therapy from NPH Occupational Care volunteers. St
James was treated to a preview of the NPH Jinotepe dance troupe who will visit
Seattle in October. Colorful costumes and flowing dresses combined with
traditional music by the Pequeños. Following the performance the marching band
practiced in the noon day sun to a powerful arrangement with an emphasis on
drums and horns. Days of sun gave way to a tropical
downpour following a group simulation where each of our students represented a
country assigned by Joe. The purpose was to use statistics provided to act as
the country in a mock exercise. Some countries had greater access to resources
and "special rules" which enabled them to thrive while other countries felt that
they didn't have a chance and resorted to whatever it took to survive. Dinner
with Marlon Velazquez, National Director of NPH and his staff at his home on
campus. On our first day of the mission Tio Marlon gave us a homework assignment
to answer the question "What is a Pequeño?". Each student was given an
opportunity to share their perspective from their own interactions throughout
the week.
DAY SIX August 11, 2015
The youth group spent the morning in individual reflection and group
discussion reflecting on St Clare of Assisi who was born into wealth but chose
to devote her life to being with the poor as Pope Francis calls all of us to
lead a life of service of others. An always fluid
daily schedule swapped Spanish language class for a full afternoon of English
class with the Pequeños. The regular class period combined with the after school
extracurricular class for a three hour marathon session of tutoring before
mid-year exams and playful games. Throughout
the week we rotated dinner locations between weekends at the Ranchon and more
intimate dinners as breakout groups in individual Casas assigned by age and
gender. The Pequeños hosted us in their homes and shared stories with our
students.
DAY FIVE--GRANADA! August 10, 2015
The Pequeños wished us well on our journey to the Cathedral of Granada.
Teams split out to canvas the 500 year old city, her colorful buildings
and active street markets. In the afternoon the kids sang songs as we
drove up to the active Volcano Nindiri. We returned to NPH during a
blackout. Generators enabled us to gather with volunteers and our
Godchildren before electricity was cut off for lights out at 9pm.
DAY FOUR--Later! August 9, 2015
Sunday Soccer Game: our first excursion outside of campus was to the
boys soccer game in neighboring Diriamba. Our NPH Pequeños came from a
2-0 deficit at halftime to score two goals in the second half. A classic
soccer 2-2 tie! To celebrate Joe and Christine treated the team and
their adoring fans to ice cream.
The team
The adoring fans
DAY FOUR August 9, 2015
More weekend playtime with the Pequenos.
DAY THREE--EVENING August 8, 2015
Arriving early to evening mass we welcomed the Pequeños with a spirit
tunnel. We celebrated mass and dinner with the entire community followed
by an outdoor movie in Spanish.
On Day 1 ants and flying beetles where met with shrieks and hiding. By Day 2
most of us were conditioned to the abundance of nature around us. By Day 3 a
second tarantula visit become a group photo op.
DAY THREE--AFTERNOON! August 8, 2015
Afternoon update: working off a delicious lunch of pork and rice the
St. James Youth Missioners and NPH Pequeños competed for soda. Despite
Joe scoring a goal the Pequeños dominated to win four bottles of soda.
DAY THREE! August 8, 2015
