A lot, yet so little has happened in the last few weeks. I am really learning to love it here, and I am trying to make the most of my time here. Looking back to when I first arrived, my mindset is already so different, and I’ve made so many more meaningful connections with the kids and SM’s. There have been several sick kids, but they have recovered quickly. We also got some major news regarding Familia Feliz directorship for next year. There were some new fun experiences we had on our day off. And one of the SM’s parents came to visit, bringing some much-needed supplies and treats from home.

 

With less sick kids, it means I can spend less time doing patient care and charting, and instead hang out with the kids. I’ve been able to cook a few meals at various houses, help with bedtime, and just talk to the kids. My favorite moments were while making cinnamon rolls for the Guerreros. They are always begging me to come cook, and when I have a free morning or afternoon I try to come by and help. Sometimes, a couple of the boys will help cook, and usually end up eating some of the raw dough or sneaking sugar while I’m not looking. One time, while I was leaving after making food, one of the boys told me he was so thankful for the food I make for them and that because I cook good food for their house, I was their house “mom”. Even though it was partly a joke, it was so rewarding and heartwarming to see how much they appreciated what I did for them. Ever since then, their house has called me “mamá”. I’ll be walking across campus and hear them shouting “mamá” across the yard, and it brings me joy every time. In the girls’ houses, I have been given much more humorous nicknames, including “Tomato” and “Dora”. Now let me explain to you why. When I get sweaty, my cheeks tend to get very flushed, and one day, one of the younger girls thought it was hilarious and pointed out that I looked like a tomato. Since then, I have been Teacher Tomato, this one has also been called across campus and adopted by the other girls’ house. Now “Dora” is more recent, and started when I chopped my hair just under shoulder length. None of the girls were thrilled by the new hairstyle and said I looked like Dora.

 

We had a short wave of sick kids, with fevers that would spike throughout the night, requiring more attentive monitoring. I spent two nights in the Flores’ house checking the temperature of one of the 6-year-old girls. At the same time, one of the older boys had a similar fever and required monitoring through the night. Once both of the kids’ fevers broke, I slept for a good 12 hours after two nearly sleepless nights. Another night, I got to pull a moth out of a girl's ear, and another night (or early morning) when I had to help a sick kid with food poisoning. However, after this, the past few weeks have gone smoothly (**knock on wood**). 

 

Now on to some big news. Due to significant reasons, the current director is having to resign, which is not easy for them. This also leaves Familia Feliz in search for someone to take over starting in the coming new year. There will be a lot of change for us SM’s who are staying. I ask that you all pray for the current director and his family as they go through this major life change, pray that God sends someone to serve as director for next year, and our group of SM’s that will have to go through this adjustment. In addition, there are some kids who will not be able to stay due to some of the changes. I cannot give a whole ton of details, but it is heartbreaking to know that they will be leaving, and not necessarily going to a better place.

 

On to a lighter subject, days off have recently been pretty great. This past Tuesday we decided to go play basketball. I hadn’t been able to play since July, and it was so fun and refreshing. We also got to try some new food in town, as my favorite café in town, Roots, got a new menu. In addition, just spending time with and talking with the other SM’s is always so fun and full of laughter, sometimes for no reason.

 

Lastly, one of the SM’s moms came to visit. She brought more Pedialyte and a few thermometers, as the ones I have here have slowly been breaking, one by one. She also brought a few things my parents sent, including Brookside Chocolates (IYKYK) and protein bars (since it’s a struggle to get enough protein in the food here). The chocolate was so good, let me tell you, chocolate here in Rurrenabaque is probably the worst chocolate one could ever have.

 

In closing, I am doing a lot better about keeping my mind on being present and staying positive. I have been able to get closer with my fellow SMs and with the kids. It hurts to think about leaving and the possibility of never seeing the kids again, but this thought I try not to have, as it knocks me out of the now. I have been reminded that prayer is one of the most important things we can do for the kids, as there are so many circumstances out of our control. There is no use stressing about a situation when we can just hand it over to God. Recently, we have been meeting at the middle of campus as 10:00 am every day to pray for the kids and specific difficult cases, the director, the difficult situation about leadership change in the new year, and for unity within our group. If you have made it this far in my blog, I ask that you consider joining us in prayer at 10:00 am every day. I believe that there is strength in numbers and no matter what, God will hear each and every one of our prayers.