In C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia, the land of Narnia is described as a place where it's always winter, but never Christmas. Here in Buenos Aires, I seem to have encountered the opposite problem: though my calendar says we are rapidly approaching Christmas Day, the current season is certainly not winter. Alas, such is life in the Southern Hemisphere, where December is a summer month. Though I'll admit that a summertime Christmas is great in theory -- stories of celebrations at the beach, fireworks, and the like explain why Argentines still deem this is their favorite time of year -- this winterless Christmas is a bit disappointing in reality. There's just something about passing store windows in which Christmas trees are the backdrop to mannequins flaunting bikinis that just doesn't sit well with me. Likewise, humming "Sleigh Ride" or "Winter Wonderland" in 90-degree weather makes caroling seem more of a joke than a joy. However, in light of the cultural & seasonal differences the beginning of the so-called "holiday season" has brought, the past several weeks in BA have been a wonderful start to what I know will be an even better holiday season at home.
Initially, the thought of celebrating Thanksgiving away from home for the first time really weighed on my heart. I hated the thought of missing the precious milestone of Cade's first family holiday, even moreso than the the thought of missing my first A&M vs. t.u. game in 19 years (which, you can imagine, I found practically unbearable). But, as an international round-trip flight for a mere 72 hours back in the States was utterly out of the question, I decided celebrating El Día de la Acción de Gracias away from home, and in a country that doesn't actually celebrate it, no less, didn't have to put a damper on my holiday cheer.
As soon as our program director announced that the Tuesday before Thanksgiving (as most of the group left town over the break) would be our official group Thanksgiving celebration, holiday preparations began. An assortment of recipes was collected, cooking roles were delegated, and just as we'd wished, the holiday cheer began to spread. After hours upon hours in the kitchen, when all was said and done, Casa Holden smelled like, well -- home. There were favorite recipes from nearly everyone in the group, creating enough food to feed the 70+ guests at our Thanksgiving feast (including two special American visitors, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy and U.S. Ambassador to Argentina Vilma Martinez). Though we all admit the turkey and dressing weren't quite like Mom's, we treasured the fact that all 54 students, plus our program directors, professors, and visitors were able to come together and celebrate. Our Thanksgiving celebration was the perfect opportunity for us to give thanks for and remember each of the incredible experiences we've shared this semester, and that was truly home enough for all of us.
After class on Wednesday, several friends and I left BA to spend the weekend in Córdoba, a province to the northwest of Buenos Aires. We stayed at the 200-year-old Estancia Ongamira and had an incredible weekend filled with hikes, horseback rides, exceptional food (they even surprised us with a little "piece" of home -- homemade pumpkin pie, which doesn't even exist down here -- for Thursday's dessert!). Overall, our time in Córdoba was the perfect way to escape the hustle & bustle of busy BA and enjoy rest up before the crunch time of semester's end. Now, as yesterday marked our last day of classes, we're all faced with finding the balance between writing and studying and enjoying our last weekend here before we leave for a month and a half. Again, I'm amazed at how quickly the time has flown! I am equally as grateful, though, that I can look back and see the incredible ways in which our group has changed, bonded, and grown over the past 3 months. We started as 54 students with nearly nothing in common besides our interest in studying abroad in Argentina. Now, an entire semester later, we find ourselves to truly have grown into a family. We have experienced life abroad together in the rawest of forms, and we have seen that each of us has much more to teach and to learn than we ever could have foreseen. Better yet, we are only halfway through our time in this incredible place; there is certainly much, much more in store for us, and I am so excited to see how that plays out next semester.
Just as I have been thrilled to cherish my time here, I likewise look forward to cherishing every moment of my time at home. Thoughts of going grocery shopping and understanding where and what everything is; of getting a haircut without fear that a minor mis-translation will end up as a mullet; of ordering in a restaurant and knowing exactly what the waiter will bring -- well, I'd be lying if I said these thoughts weren't grounds for quite a bit of excitement for my return to the States. But more than those conveniences of daily life, I am ecstatic for the refreshment that I know reuniting with you, my precious friends and family, will bring. Skype and e-mail have made communication this semester so much easier, but I haven't forgotten that nothing replaces real, face-to-face, tangible interaction. My Thanksgiving abroad was a wonderful one, but I have no doubt that my ever-nearing Christmas at home will be even better. After all, there really is no place like home for the holidays!
As we gather together this Christmas season, may we remember the glorious birth of our Lord and Savior, the greatest joy the world has ever seen. May we be humbled as the traveling parents, awestruck as the fearful shepherds, and devoted as the searching magi. May we seek wisdom from our Wonderful Counselor, trust in the power of our Mighty God, have faith in the unchanging nature of our Everlasting Father, and find rest in our knowledge of the Prince of Peace. Above all, may we kneel at the manger and worship the Name above all names as we call His name Jesus.
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever."
- Isaiah 9:6-7a
Christmas blessings from far and near to you and all of yours,
Margaret
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Time Flies!
I honestly cannot fathom how quickly the past 2 months have gone.
It seems like just days ago that Jack and I were boarding our flight from IAH, so excited for this year abroad but having absolutely no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Looking back over the past 9 weeks, I see that so much of my life has changed since September 10. Though my time abroad has at times seemed overwhelming, I honestly could not be more thankful for each of the incredible experiences that has brought me here.
I have learned so much since coming to Buenos Aires, it is truly impossible to think of who I would be had I spent the past 2 months anywhere else. Experiencing life as as an "outsider" on the grandest scale -- a foreigner facing cultural differences on seemingly every front -- has taught me to treat those unfamiliar with American customs with respect and kindness, despite the frustration that inevitably arises from a language barrier. Being one of 54 students, all of us with different backgrounds and aspirations, has taught me to appreciate the individuality and diversity that each member can contribute to a group. Relying on public transportation has shown me the value of a solid mental map; likewise, riding Argentine buses and taxis on a daily basis has made me extremely grateful for American traffic laws! Staying with Inés and Gerardo has taught me the true nature of hospitality -- opening a home to someone with open arms, and authentically interacting as a family would. Consuming dulce de leche and empanadas on an almost-daily basis has made me appreciate the "healthy" trends of food in the States. Speaking Spanish on a daily basis has not only given me an incredible respect for the truly bilingual, but has also proven to me the truth behind the saying that "practice makes perfect."
Above all, though, living abroad has helped me understand the true, unfailing love of my God. Seeing His consistency in an ever-changing life has reminded me that it is solely He upon whom I can wholly depend, and solely He in whom I can wholly trust. I have never been more grateful for the constant nature of my Heavenly Father than in the times when seemingly everything is unfamiliar! By His grace, I have come to truly love this city, these people, this language. I feel so at home in Buenos Aires, and I treasure the time I have spent here already. Likewise, I am indescribably excited for the rest of my time abroad. As a new creation in Christ, I am allowed to reinvent myself, despite the flaws of my past, as often as I must. Learning to utilize this "newness," both externally and internally, and with great intentionality, is something I must enact on a daily basis. I look to the future, holding tight to the lessons I have already learned and seeking to fulfill the purpose of my time here with each situation I encounter.
"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 3:10-14
I hope this finds each of you doing well, and I look forward to seeing y'all during my time home at Christmas. T-minus 30 days till I'm back in the States!
Abrazos from Abroad,
Margaret
P.S. Here are links to the pictures I've been promising since... well, Post #1? So sorry it's taken me eternity to post them. Y'all enjoy!
Pictures from Peru/Machu Picchu
Pictures from Buenos Aires and our EFT to Salta/Jujuy
It seems like just days ago that Jack and I were boarding our flight from IAH, so excited for this year abroad but having absolutely no idea what we were getting ourselves into. Looking back over the past 9 weeks, I see that so much of my life has changed since September 10. Though my time abroad has at times seemed overwhelming, I honestly could not be more thankful for each of the incredible experiences that has brought me here.
I have learned so much since coming to Buenos Aires, it is truly impossible to think of who I would be had I spent the past 2 months anywhere else. Experiencing life as as an "outsider" on the grandest scale -- a foreigner facing cultural differences on seemingly every front -- has taught me to treat those unfamiliar with American customs with respect and kindness, despite the frustration that inevitably arises from a language barrier. Being one of 54 students, all of us with different backgrounds and aspirations, has taught me to appreciate the individuality and diversity that each member can contribute to a group. Relying on public transportation has shown me the value of a solid mental map; likewise, riding Argentine buses and taxis on a daily basis has made me extremely grateful for American traffic laws! Staying with Inés and Gerardo has taught me the true nature of hospitality -- opening a home to someone with open arms, and authentically interacting as a family would. Consuming dulce de leche and empanadas on an almost-daily basis has made me appreciate the "healthy" trends of food in the States. Speaking Spanish on a daily basis has not only given me an incredible respect for the truly bilingual, but has also proven to me the truth behind the saying that "practice makes perfect."
Above all, though, living abroad has helped me understand the true, unfailing love of my God. Seeing His consistency in an ever-changing life has reminded me that it is solely He upon whom I can wholly depend, and solely He in whom I can wholly trust. I have never been more grateful for the constant nature of my Heavenly Father than in the times when seemingly everything is unfamiliar! By His grace, I have come to truly love this city, these people, this language. I feel so at home in Buenos Aires, and I treasure the time I have spent here already. Likewise, I am indescribably excited for the rest of my time abroad. As a new creation in Christ, I am allowed to reinvent myself, despite the flaws of my past, as often as I must. Learning to utilize this "newness," both externally and internally, and with great intentionality, is something I must enact on a daily basis. I look to the future, holding tight to the lessons I have already learned and seeking to fulfill the purpose of my time here with each situation I encounter.
"I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 3:10-14
I hope this finds each of you doing well, and I look forward to seeing y'all during my time home at Christmas. T-minus 30 days till I'm back in the States!
Abrazos from Abroad,
Margaret
P.S. Here are links to the pictures I've been promising since... well, Post #1? So sorry it's taken me eternity to post them. Y'all enjoy!
Pictures from Peru/Machu Picchu
Pictures from Buenos Aires and our EFT to Salta/Jujuy
Thursday, October 8, 2009
EPIC. (Playing Catch-Up, part 2)
The final installment of the past 3 weeks' catch-up blogging.
________________________________________
Tuesday, September 29 - Monday, October 5
Since choosing Argentina for my study abroad locale, my dreams of traversing a brand new continent have been endless. This summer, Brittany and I decided that Machu Picchu would be a good place to initiate a memorable (epic) semester of South American travel. On Tuesday afternoon, we flew from EZE (Buenos Aires' Int'l Airport) to Lima, Peru, where we met up with Brittany's boyfriend (a senior at Pepperdine), Michael Brinley. Since our flights didn't get into Lima until around 9 on Tuesday night and we flew out again early Wednesday morning, we'd planned to spend Tuesday night in the Lima airport. Once Milo caught wind of this idea, however, his super-parenting skills kicked in and he immediately booked us a room at the Sheraton Hotel, 15 minutes from the Lima airport. I was grateful for his intervention from the get-go, but after arriving in Lima, I realized that sleeping in the airport would have been borderline disastrous. Lima is a sketchy city by night (it made us very grateful to be living in Buenos Aires), and there's a prominent ring of passport thieves that dominates much of the airport happenings. Needless to say, the Sheraton was a great move on Dad's part, and we were all quite excited to find a bit of American hospitality right in the middle of Peru.
We arrived in Cusco about 11:30 Wednesday morning and were met at the airport by Juan Carlos, a member of the church Michael's aunt and uncle started during their mission to Peru several years ago. Juan Carlos took us to his apartment (into which, we soon learned, he'd moved only the day before!), where we met his precious wife Denise and their 4-month-old daughter Milka. Since Cusco sits at an 11,000ft altitude, we spent most of our first day acclimating (i.e. resting, devouring traditional 3-course Peruvian "menu" for lunch, drinking oodles of coca tea, etc.). In the early evening, Juan Carlos insisted we go see the city's main plaza. Though the locals definitely cater to tourists there, much of the area's original charm has been preserved. Giant cathedrals decked out in gold and silver pay tribute to the conquistadors' crusades, and local vendors sell authentic Peruvian alpaca in more forms than we could've imagined. In the end, we enjoyed the main square so much that we spent all of Thursday there as well, touring more of the cathedrals and soaking up as much of its cusqueño charm as we could!
On Friday the 2nd we woke up at 5am, caught the 6:30 train from Poroy (20 minutes outside Cusco) to Aguas Calientes, and headed out to Machu Picchu. The scenery of the 3-hour train ride was some of the most beautiful (epic) I've ever seen; the entire trip took us through the breathtaking Andes and followed the Urubamba River past Incan ruins, glacial passes, and into the Andean jungle. Once we arrived in Aguas Calientes and checked into our hostel, we set out on a 3-hour hike up a nearby mountain called Putucusi. We were told the hike was beginner/intermediate level and had "a few ladders" to climb; we quickly learned, however, that said evaluation of the hike was highly inaccurate. The hike consisted of treacherous stone steps, and the aforementioned ladders stretched upwards of 100 feet, totally vertical. We doubted our abilities at first, but thanks to Michael's pep-talk skills, Britt and I toughed it out and hiked the entire mountain. Upon reaching Putucusi's summit, we were all in agreement that whatever fears we faced during the trek were well worth the hike's final result: a complete bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu. We spent a while atop the mountain, speechless at the incredible beauty that surrounded us. Witnessing the Andes' majesty and magnitude first-hand was truly overwhelming. Our God is so big, even such breathtaking creation is only a glimpse of His majesty!
"And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"
- Job 26:14
We went to bed early that night, partly due to exhaustion from our intense (epic) hike, and partly due to anticipation for the early morning ahead of us.
Our 4am wake-up call on Saturday morning was a brutal one, but it did little to deter our excitement for the incredible (epic) adventure that awaited us. We caught the 2nd bus up the neighboring mountain and arrived at Machu Picchu by 6am. Watching the sun rise above the Andes was the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed (debatably, even more impressive than seeing Machu Picchu itself). While the sheer magnitude of the mountains was incredible, knowledge of the history they possessed furthered their grandeur. Though we perpetually attempted to immortalize the site and its setting via camera lens, we knew no picture could capture the essence of our surroundings. We discussed the following passage from Romans 1 and wondered how the Incans could live in such an amazing place yet find it possible to deny the existence of such an evident God. All in all, it was an incredible paradox, seeing such an incredible manifestation of the glory of God, yet experiencing it from a historical site of pagan worship.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men [...] since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
- Romans 1:18-20
We spent the whole morning touring the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu and enjoying the glorious nature around us. By 9am, Britt and I were feeling sick (probably due to something sketchy we'd eaten in the past 48 hours), so we napped on one of Machu Picchu's terraced (epic) lawns while he hiked the neighboring mountain of Wayna Picchu. He returned a few hours later and, in true, encouraging Michael fashion, told us that though his hike had been neat (epic), our hike up Putucusi the day before had been more difficult/impressive, which temporarily lessened our food-poisoned frustration.
We returned to Aguas Calientes by lunch time and headed back to Cusco that evening, spent one more night with Juan Carlos and Denise, and flew out to Lima the Sunday morning. Though our 8-hour layover on Sunday and 4:30am arrival in BA on Monday (just in time for 9am class!) were less than ideal, they hardly put a damper on our time in Peru.
I've heard Machu Picchu described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience, but I sincerely hope I can someday return to the Andes, to be so powerfully reminded of the magnitude of the God we serve and the beauty of His divine (epic) plan for all of creation.
Saturday, October 10
To celebrate my one-month anniversary of life in Buenos Aires, I attended my first Latin American soccer game today. And, in continuation with last week's events, it was (you guessed it) epic. I don't even like soccer, but the atmosphere/my excitement regarding this 2009 World Cup qualifier was up there with that of Kyle Field on Thanksgiving day. I, along with Brittany, her mom and aunt (who are visiting for the week), and 15 other Pepperdine students, had no idea what I was in for when I bought a ticket to the game this weekend. The whole Argentine crowd obviously knew we weren't "from around here," but they were nonetheless so excited for us to be cheering their team on to victory. Upon Argentina's first goal, the crowd exploded with cheers, hugging and high-fiving everyone in sight. By the time the second period was in play, though, the mood had changed and ominous clouds had rolled in above River Plate stadium, and with about 20 minutes left in the game, a torrential downpour began. We stuck it out for a long while, but I'll choose the policy of honesty here and confess that I pulled a 2%er and left early (however, I blame it fully on the fact that there's neither a scoreboard nor game clock in the whole stadium). So though there were less than 4 minutes left in the game when the rain became too much to take, our ignorance got the best of us and we decided to head out. Unexpectedly, Peru (the worst team in the bracket) scored shortly after we exited the stadium. The game, however, was far from over.
What followed can be best summed up through the following video:
Palermo scores OT goal, leads Argentine to win 2-1 over Peru
I still can't believe I missed it, and no, I don't want to talk about it.
All I can say is look for us in the World Cup finals, and don't say I didn't warn you.
¡Vamos, vamos, Argentina!
________________________________________
Alas, the catching up is over. Thanks for bearing with me!
(epic) Abrazos from abroad,
Margaret
________________________________________
Tuesday, September 29 - Monday, October 5
Since choosing Argentina for my study abroad locale, my dreams of traversing a brand new continent have been endless. This summer, Brittany and I decided that Machu Picchu would be a good place to initiate a memorable (epic) semester of South American travel. On Tuesday afternoon, we flew from EZE (Buenos Aires' Int'l Airport) to Lima, Peru, where we met up with Brittany's boyfriend (a senior at Pepperdine), Michael Brinley. Since our flights didn't get into Lima until around 9 on Tuesday night and we flew out again early Wednesday morning, we'd planned to spend Tuesday night in the Lima airport. Once Milo caught wind of this idea, however, his super-parenting skills kicked in and he immediately booked us a room at the Sheraton Hotel, 15 minutes from the Lima airport. I was grateful for his intervention from the get-go, but after arriving in Lima, I realized that sleeping in the airport would have been borderline disastrous. Lima is a sketchy city by night (it made us very grateful to be living in Buenos Aires), and there's a prominent ring of passport thieves that dominates much of the airport happenings. Needless to say, the Sheraton was a great move on Dad's part, and we were all quite excited to find a bit of American hospitality right in the middle of Peru.
We arrived in Cusco about 11:30 Wednesday morning and were met at the airport by Juan Carlos, a member of the church Michael's aunt and uncle started during their mission to Peru several years ago. Juan Carlos took us to his apartment (into which, we soon learned, he'd moved only the day before!), where we met his precious wife Denise and their 4-month-old daughter Milka. Since Cusco sits at an 11,000ft altitude, we spent most of our first day acclimating (i.e. resting, devouring traditional 3-course Peruvian "menu" for lunch, drinking oodles of coca tea, etc.). In the early evening, Juan Carlos insisted we go see the city's main plaza. Though the locals definitely cater to tourists there, much of the area's original charm has been preserved. Giant cathedrals decked out in gold and silver pay tribute to the conquistadors' crusades, and local vendors sell authentic Peruvian alpaca in more forms than we could've imagined. In the end, we enjoyed the main square so much that we spent all of Thursday there as well, touring more of the cathedrals and soaking up as much of its cusqueño charm as we could!
On Friday the 2nd we woke up at 5am, caught the 6:30 train from Poroy (20 minutes outside Cusco) to Aguas Calientes, and headed out to Machu Picchu. The scenery of the 3-hour train ride was some of the most beautiful (epic) I've ever seen; the entire trip took us through the breathtaking Andes and followed the Urubamba River past Incan ruins, glacial passes, and into the Andean jungle. Once we arrived in Aguas Calientes and checked into our hostel, we set out on a 3-hour hike up a nearby mountain called Putucusi. We were told the hike was beginner/intermediate level and had "a few ladders" to climb; we quickly learned, however, that said evaluation of the hike was highly inaccurate. The hike consisted of treacherous stone steps, and the aforementioned ladders stretched upwards of 100 feet, totally vertical. We doubted our abilities at first, but thanks to Michael's pep-talk skills, Britt and I toughed it out and hiked the entire mountain. Upon reaching Putucusi's summit, we were all in agreement that whatever fears we faced during the trek were well worth the hike's final result: a complete bird's-eye view of Machu Picchu. We spent a while atop the mountain, speechless at the incredible beauty that surrounded us. Witnessing the Andes' majesty and magnitude first-hand was truly overwhelming. Our God is so big, even such breathtaking creation is only a glimpse of His majesty!
"And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?"
- Job 26:14
We went to bed early that night, partly due to exhaustion from our intense (epic) hike, and partly due to anticipation for the early morning ahead of us.
Our 4am wake-up call on Saturday morning was a brutal one, but it did little to deter our excitement for the incredible (epic) adventure that awaited us. We caught the 2nd bus up the neighboring mountain and arrived at Machu Picchu by 6am. Watching the sun rise above the Andes was the most beautiful thing I've ever witnessed (debatably, even more impressive than seeing Machu Picchu itself). While the sheer magnitude of the mountains was incredible, knowledge of the history they possessed furthered their grandeur. Though we perpetually attempted to immortalize the site and its setting via camera lens, we knew no picture could capture the essence of our surroundings. We discussed the following passage from Romans 1 and wondered how the Incans could live in such an amazing place yet find it possible to deny the existence of such an evident God. All in all, it was an incredible paradox, seeing such an incredible manifestation of the glory of God, yet experiencing it from a historical site of pagan worship.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men [...] since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."
- Romans 1:18-20
We spent the whole morning touring the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu and enjoying the glorious nature around us. By 9am, Britt and I were feeling sick (probably due to something sketchy we'd eaten in the past 48 hours), so we napped on one of Machu Picchu's terraced (epic) lawns while he hiked the neighboring mountain of Wayna Picchu. He returned a few hours later and, in true, encouraging Michael fashion, told us that though his hike had been neat (epic), our hike up Putucusi the day before had been more difficult/impressive, which temporarily lessened our food-poisoned frustration.
We returned to Aguas Calientes by lunch time and headed back to Cusco that evening, spent one more night with Juan Carlos and Denise, and flew out to Lima the Sunday morning. Though our 8-hour layover on Sunday and 4:30am arrival in BA on Monday (just in time for 9am class!) were less than ideal, they hardly put a damper on our time in Peru.
I've heard Machu Picchu described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience, but I sincerely hope I can someday return to the Andes, to be so powerfully reminded of the magnitude of the God we serve and the beauty of His divine (epic) plan for all of creation.
Saturday, October 10
To celebrate my one-month anniversary of life in Buenos Aires, I attended my first Latin American soccer game today. And, in continuation with last week's events, it was (you guessed it) epic. I don't even like soccer, but the atmosphere/my excitement regarding this 2009 World Cup qualifier was up there with that of Kyle Field on Thanksgiving day. I, along with Brittany, her mom and aunt (who are visiting for the week), and 15 other Pepperdine students, had no idea what I was in for when I bought a ticket to the game this weekend. The whole Argentine crowd obviously knew we weren't "from around here," but they were nonetheless so excited for us to be cheering their team on to victory. Upon Argentina's first goal, the crowd exploded with cheers, hugging and high-fiving everyone in sight. By the time the second period was in play, though, the mood had changed and ominous clouds had rolled in above River Plate stadium, and with about 20 minutes left in the game, a torrential downpour began. We stuck it out for a long while, but I'll choose the policy of honesty here and confess that I pulled a 2%er and left early (however, I blame it fully on the fact that there's neither a scoreboard nor game clock in the whole stadium). So though there were less than 4 minutes left in the game when the rain became too much to take, our ignorance got the best of us and we decided to head out. Unexpectedly, Peru (the worst team in the bracket) scored shortly after we exited the stadium. The game, however, was far from over.
What followed can be best summed up through the following video:
Palermo scores OT goal, leads Argentine to win 2-1 over Peru
I still can't believe I missed it, and no, I don't want to talk about it.
All I can say is look for us in the World Cup finals, and don't say I didn't warn you.
¡Vamos, vamos, Argentina!
________________________________________
Alas, the catching up is over. Thanks for bearing with me!
(epic) Abrazos from abroad,
Margaret
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Playing Catch-Up
I can't believe it's been almost 3 weeks since my last post. I despise having to mass-quantity catch-up blog, but I think at this point it's my best bet for covering so much ground.
Bear with me...
________________________________________
Monday, September 21
For the majority of you, today marked the first day of fall. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, however, it was a national holiday celebrating the first day of la primavera. And quite a celebration it was! I went to the cleaners to pick up my laundry and was warmly greeted with a highly enthusiastic "¡Feliz primavera!" (which was an especially notable experience at 8:30 a.m., as the locals generally can't muster up the energy for a smile until sometime after noon), two loads of clothes smelling especially springtime fresh, and, to top it all off, a complimentary fuchsia petunia plant. I brought the flower home and gave it to Inés, only to find she'd brought me a flower as well. We exchanged flores and besos, and I headed off to school with an extra bit of "spring" in my step... despite the fact that Pepperdine is legitimately the only school in all of Buenos Aires that had class today. (Our academic calendar follows American holidays; we have breaks for Thanksgiving, etc., but because of those, have to miss out on some of the Argentine holidays like today.) Walking to my bus stop, it seemed as though every store window was dressed to the nines with flower shaped di-cuts and brightly colored letters announcing the arrival of this city's favorite season. Though Inés had warned me not to get my hopes up for good weather (apparently their first-day-of-spring luck is a lot like our spring break luck... when everyone's finally out of school and ready to play, the rain rolls in and stays just until class starts back up again), today was GORGEOUS. Sunshine, cool air, and not a cloud in the sky -- it really was the perfect start to a new season!
The Argentine excitement regarding the start of spring reminded me just how wonderful new beginnings are. Though we are capable of telling ourselves we are "too far gone" in any of a million different scenarios, the truth is that a fresh start is never far away. Praise be to God, for he makes all things new!
"...Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, [...] be made new in the attitude of your minds, [and] put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
- Ephesians 4:22b-23
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Wednesday, September 23
Every student at Pepperdine is required to complete 14 hours of convocation credit each semester. At the Malibu campus, attendance of weekly chapels, seminars, lectures, and Bible studies can all count toward these "Convo" credits. Due to our limited staff abroad, however, our Convo credits are harder to come by. Thus, every Wednesday night is a designated Convo night. The whole group looks forward to this weekly opportunity for us to gather at Casa Holden, hear a guest speaker's presentation (generally something along the lines of expanding horizons/crossing boundaries/changing lives/inspiration 101), and dine on Pepperdine's (our tuition's?) tab afterward. Tonight, however, in lieu of a guest speaker, we headed out to Tango Porteño dinner theater for an authentic Argentine cuisine and tango show experience. The passion of the dancers and their connection to their partners, the music, and the history their dance represented was truly incredible. Though the tango is the iconic dance of Argentina, these days it is kept alive mostly through the older generations and for the sake of tourism; thus, our evening at Tango Porteño allowed us to see a part of Argentine history that we don't get to see in our everyday interactions.
I still have so much to learn about this country, but with each new experience I find a better understanding of who these people are and how I can connect to them. The more I open I am to the Argentine culture, the richer my time here will be!
Saturday, September 26
Rafael ("Rafa") DeSanso has been the director of Pepperdine's international program in BA for over 10 years. Best known for his 40+ year-old bachelor status, hilarious knack for nick-naming students in the program, and extensive connections throughout Argentina, Rafa is truly a legend in the Pepperdine community. There are countless stories of his networking capabilities acting as a student's saving grace -- lost passports, stolen laptops, and the like have miraculously made their ways back into Rafa's hands and have been safely returned to their respective owners. Hence, we refer to Rafa, Pato, Maria, and Susi (the other administrators at Pepperdine BA) as "The Rafia," because seriously... they are capable of some uncanny things, for all of which we are extremely grateful!
Anywho, due to his youth-at-heart, current students and program alumni alike were shocked when Rafa announced last year that he had fallen in love with and and proposed to the principal of his niece & nephew's school. We all knew Agustina must have been something special to cause such a change of heart in Rafa and were so excited to find out that the wedding would be taking place during our time here. We just assumed, until a week or two ago, that pictures and stories would have to suffice... having no idea that all 54 of us would be invited to share in the biggest day of Rafa's life so soon after meeting him.
The wedding was today and was, in all honesty, one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever attended. Held in the cathedral on the grounds of the school where Rafa and Agus met, the service highlighted everything the couple holds dear: their families, their faith, and the children in their lives. Instead of a bridal party, Agus was preceded by 15 precious little children, symbolizing not only what brought her and Rafa together, but their desire to maintain the innocence and honesty of children through their love as well. All of the couple's siblings read scripture during the service and prayed over their marriage. Though guided by Roman Catholic tradition, the wedding ceremony was so personal, and seeing Rafa nervous (TOTALLY uncharacteristic) and so in love was so incredible; I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the house when it was all said and done! The acoustics in the chapel were breathtaking; not a single soloist used a microphone, yet "Ave Maria" and "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" have never sounded clearer or more beautiful. To make the experience even more personal, many of Rafa's friends from Pepperdine, including Charles Hall (the Dean of Int'l Programs), were at the wedding; it was such a neat time for us to spend time with other members of Pepperdine administration and to experience such a unique element of Argentine culture with them.
Though we'll miss Rafa terribly during his 2-week honeymoon, we could not be more excited for this wonderful time in his life. And while we still don't understand how we were lucky enough to be the students here during his wedding, I am certain it's an experience none of us will soon forget!
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
- 1 John 4:16b-18
________________________________________
Thanks for hanging on through the catch-up! :)
Abrazos from abroad,
Margaret
Bear with me...
________________________________________
Monday, September 21
For the majority of you, today marked the first day of fall. Here in the Southern Hemisphere, however, it was a national holiday celebrating the first day of la primavera. And quite a celebration it was! I went to the cleaners to pick up my laundry and was warmly greeted with a highly enthusiastic "¡Feliz primavera!" (which was an especially notable experience at 8:30 a.m., as the locals generally can't muster up the energy for a smile until sometime after noon), two loads of clothes smelling especially springtime fresh, and, to top it all off, a complimentary fuchsia petunia plant. I brought the flower home and gave it to Inés, only to find she'd brought me a flower as well. We exchanged flores and besos, and I headed off to school with an extra bit of "spring" in my step... despite the fact that Pepperdine is legitimately the only school in all of Buenos Aires that had class today. (Our academic calendar follows American holidays; we have breaks for Thanksgiving, etc., but because of those, have to miss out on some of the Argentine holidays like today.) Walking to my bus stop, it seemed as though every store window was dressed to the nines with flower shaped di-cuts and brightly colored letters announcing the arrival of this city's favorite season. Though Inés had warned me not to get my hopes up for good weather (apparently their first-day-of-spring luck is a lot like our spring break luck... when everyone's finally out of school and ready to play, the rain rolls in and stays just until class starts back up again), today was GORGEOUS. Sunshine, cool air, and not a cloud in the sky -- it really was the perfect start to a new season!
The Argentine excitement regarding the start of spring reminded me just how wonderful new beginnings are. Though we are capable of telling ourselves we are "too far gone" in any of a million different scenarios, the truth is that a fresh start is never far away. Praise be to God, for he makes all things new!
"...Put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, [...] be made new in the attitude of your minds, [and] put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness."
- Ephesians 4:22b-23
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
Wednesday, September 23
Every student at Pepperdine is required to complete 14 hours of convocation credit each semester. At the Malibu campus, attendance of weekly chapels, seminars, lectures, and Bible studies can all count toward these "Convo" credits. Due to our limited staff abroad, however, our Convo credits are harder to come by. Thus, every Wednesday night is a designated Convo night. The whole group looks forward to this weekly opportunity for us to gather at Casa Holden, hear a guest speaker's presentation (generally something along the lines of expanding horizons/crossing boundaries/changing lives/inspiration 101), and dine on Pepperdine's (our tuition's?) tab afterward. Tonight, however, in lieu of a guest speaker, we headed out to Tango Porteño dinner theater for an authentic Argentine cuisine and tango show experience. The passion of the dancers and their connection to their partners, the music, and the history their dance represented was truly incredible. Though the tango is the iconic dance of Argentina, these days it is kept alive mostly through the older generations and for the sake of tourism; thus, our evening at Tango Porteño allowed us to see a part of Argentine history that we don't get to see in our everyday interactions.
I still have so much to learn about this country, but with each new experience I find a better understanding of who these people are and how I can connect to them. The more I open I am to the Argentine culture, the richer my time here will be!
Saturday, September 26
Rafael ("Rafa") DeSanso has been the director of Pepperdine's international program in BA for over 10 years. Best known for his 40+ year-old bachelor status, hilarious knack for nick-naming students in the program, and extensive connections throughout Argentina, Rafa is truly a legend in the Pepperdine community. There are countless stories of his networking capabilities acting as a student's saving grace -- lost passports, stolen laptops, and the like have miraculously made their ways back into Rafa's hands and have been safely returned to their respective owners. Hence, we refer to Rafa, Pato, Maria, and Susi (the other administrators at Pepperdine BA) as "The Rafia," because seriously... they are capable of some uncanny things, for all of which we are extremely grateful!
Anywho, due to his youth-at-heart, current students and program alumni alike were shocked when Rafa announced last year that he had fallen in love with and and proposed to the principal of his niece & nephew's school. We all knew Agustina must have been something special to cause such a change of heart in Rafa and were so excited to find out that the wedding would be taking place during our time here. We just assumed, until a week or two ago, that pictures and stories would have to suffice... having no idea that all 54 of us would be invited to share in the biggest day of Rafa's life so soon after meeting him.
The wedding was today and was, in all honesty, one of the most beautiful ceremonies I've ever attended. Held in the cathedral on the grounds of the school where Rafa and Agus met, the service highlighted everything the couple holds dear: their families, their faith, and the children in their lives. Instead of a bridal party, Agus was preceded by 15 precious little children, symbolizing not only what brought her and Rafa together, but their desire to maintain the innocence and honesty of children through their love as well. All of the couple's siblings read scripture during the service and prayed over their marriage. Though guided by Roman Catholic tradition, the wedding ceremony was so personal, and seeing Rafa nervous (TOTALLY uncharacteristic) and so in love was so incredible; I'm not sure there was a dry eye in the house when it was all said and done! The acoustics in the chapel were breathtaking; not a single soloist used a microphone, yet "Ave Maria" and "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee" have never sounded clearer or more beautiful. To make the experience even more personal, many of Rafa's friends from Pepperdine, including Charles Hall (the Dean of Int'l Programs), were at the wedding; it was such a neat time for us to spend time with other members of Pepperdine administration and to experience such a unique element of Argentine culture with them.
Though we'll miss Rafa terribly during his 2-week honeymoon, we could not be more excited for this wonderful time in his life. And while we still don't understand how we were lucky enough to be the students here during his wedding, I am certain it's an experience none of us will soon forget!
"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
- 1 John 4:16b-18
________________________________________
Thanks for hanging on through the catch-up! :)
Abrazos from abroad,
Margaret
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Waiting Room
Let's just be honest here: language barriers are annoying. And seeing as I chose BA for the very purpose of becoming fluent in Spanish, it's been quite humbling realizing just how far I have to go before that goal is achieved.
Every conversation, except those with other Pepperdine students, takes my being on my absolute A-game and literally thinking before I say anything. (A good lesson, I concede, but a bit frustrating when one's vocabulary is sufficiently limited.) And though speaking English is refreshing, a whole day spent with other students just makes coming home to converse with Inés and Gerardo more difficult. I want so badly to connect with the people of this city and to understand their culture, but it is immensely frustrating to be so hindered by a language barrier. I became quite exhausted by the whole thing yesterday, fearing that my homestay parents think I'm timid/introverted/(rude, even?) because, though I can understand the large majority of what they tell me, I often find myself without much to say at the dinner table. I was journaling about my discouragement last night, and, appropriately, experienced a much needed come-to-Jesus.
I was reading Ecclesiastes 3 (an incredibly encouraging passage, in light of the past week's events), and there it was:
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot...
a time to be silent and a time to speak..."
Solomon, wisest one, you seem to have written this exactly for my current time and place. I was firmly planted at home this summer, but now I have been uprooted; I am accustomed to speaking my mind and being readily understood, yet I now find myself silent and struggling to voice my thoughts. And as if finding that my situation in general has already been addressed by a king who lived millenia ago wasn't enough, there were two specific elements of this passage that struck me with great encouragement: firstly, this is only a "time" -- this period of frustration with said language barrier is only temporary, and certainly will not last forever. I will learn this language, I will connect with these people, and I will develop a deeper relationship with my host family. All will come in time. The second point of encouragement came with the realization that, though contrary to my natural tendencies, it really is okay to just be silent sometimes. I treasure communication and understand its vitality to every relationship, but it is true that some times of silence are, well, golden.
This whole concept of being okay with my current state of limited communication was further explained during a "coincidental" encounter Brittany and I had in the local jardín botánico this afternoon. We were approached by a man who needed to borrow a pen to write down an address; two hours later, we were deep in conversation with Roberto, a local business professor who teaches Spanish classes to international students in his free time. He was very patient with us, speaking English in part to help us understand but mostly encouraging us to practice our Spanish with him. He gently corrected our grammatical errors and gave us tips on conquering the 4 most difficult Spanish concepts for estadounidenses (people from the U.S.): por vs. para, ser vs. estar, "r" vs. "rr," and the pronunciation of las vocales (vowels). The best tip he gave us, though, was to listen intently to the people around us: "If you listen to other accents, other vocabulary, you will learn this language much more quickly. And if you pay attention to the way the people around you speak, you will mimick their pronunciation and learn to speak Spanish correctly."
As Brittany and I left the garden, it became clear that Roberto's advice connected directly to Ecclesiastes 3:7. Not only are there times to be silent, but to make the most of those times, we must listen for the things we are to learn from them. This time of frustration -- the "waiting room" for God's answer, as Christian musicians Shane&Shane have called it -- is from the Lord, and He truly has a time for everything.
There is a time for me to be confused, and a time for me to understand. There is time for me to feel comfortable, and a time for me to be pushed far beyond my comfort zone. And there is a time for me to ask questions and speak my mind, and a time for me to be still and silent and listen. Though I so often desire for these seasons to come by my own time frame, God's timing is intentional and will certainly be proven perfect. I just must be willing to be still and wait.
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
- Psalm 46:10
Abrazos from abroad,
Margaret
Every conversation, except those with other Pepperdine students, takes my being on my absolute A-game and literally thinking before I say anything. (A good lesson, I concede, but a bit frustrating when one's vocabulary is sufficiently limited.) And though speaking English is refreshing, a whole day spent with other students just makes coming home to converse with Inés and Gerardo more difficult. I want so badly to connect with the people of this city and to understand their culture, but it is immensely frustrating to be so hindered by a language barrier. I became quite exhausted by the whole thing yesterday, fearing that my homestay parents think I'm timid/introverted/(rude, even?) because, though I can understand the large majority of what they tell me, I often find myself without much to say at the dinner table. I was journaling about my discouragement last night, and, appropriately, experienced a much needed come-to-Jesus.
I was reading Ecclesiastes 3 (an incredibly encouraging passage, in light of the past week's events), and there it was:
"There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:
a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot...
a time to be silent and a time to speak..."
Solomon, wisest one, you seem to have written this exactly for my current time and place. I was firmly planted at home this summer, but now I have been uprooted; I am accustomed to speaking my mind and being readily understood, yet I now find myself silent and struggling to voice my thoughts. And as if finding that my situation in general has already been addressed by a king who lived millenia ago wasn't enough, there were two specific elements of this passage that struck me with great encouragement: firstly, this is only a "time" -- this period of frustration with said language barrier is only temporary, and certainly will not last forever. I will learn this language, I will connect with these people, and I will develop a deeper relationship with my host family. All will come in time. The second point of encouragement came with the realization that, though contrary to my natural tendencies, it really is okay to just be silent sometimes. I treasure communication and understand its vitality to every relationship, but it is true that some times of silence are, well, golden.
This whole concept of being okay with my current state of limited communication was further explained during a "coincidental" encounter Brittany and I had in the local jardín botánico this afternoon. We were approached by a man who needed to borrow a pen to write down an address; two hours later, we were deep in conversation with Roberto, a local business professor who teaches Spanish classes to international students in his free time. He was very patient with us, speaking English in part to help us understand but mostly encouraging us to practice our Spanish with him. He gently corrected our grammatical errors and gave us tips on conquering the 4 most difficult Spanish concepts for estadounidenses (people from the U.S.): por vs. para, ser vs. estar, "r" vs. "rr," and the pronunciation of las vocales (vowels). The best tip he gave us, though, was to listen intently to the people around us: "If you listen to other accents, other vocabulary, you will learn this language much more quickly. And if you pay attention to the way the people around you speak, you will mimick their pronunciation and learn to speak Spanish correctly."
As Brittany and I left the garden, it became clear that Roberto's advice connected directly to Ecclesiastes 3:7. Not only are there times to be silent, but to make the most of those times, we must listen for the things we are to learn from them. This time of frustration -- the "waiting room" for God's answer, as Christian musicians Shane&Shane have called it -- is from the Lord, and He truly has a time for everything.
There is a time for me to be confused, and a time for me to understand. There is time for me to feel comfortable, and a time for me to be pushed far beyond my comfort zone. And there is a time for me to ask questions and speak my mind, and a time for me to be still and silent and listen. Though I so often desire for these seasons to come by my own time frame, God's timing is intentional and will certainly be proven perfect. I just must be willing to be still and wait.
"Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."
- Psalm 46:10
Abrazos from abroad,
Margaret
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Growing Pains
It always amazes me how, though I ask the Lord to stretch and grow me, I am so prone to complaining about the discomfort growth often brings. Tonight, this discomfort came in the form of culture shock. ...Que bueno.
I came here with the intent of not only knowing the exterior of Buenos Aires, but with the desire to know the needs of its people -- a far less glamorous part of this city -- as well. I knew that volunteering in the community would be a great means of exposure to that, so I was extremely excited when Rafa, our program director, informed all of us that service learning is a huge component of our time in BA.
Last weekend was our first service learning experience. Our whole group went out to Adulam -- a small, Christian, socialist community on the outskirts of BA -- last weekend, where we helped the 20 or so families there plant gardens, move brush, and clean up their land. Though at face value none of us had a thing in common with the people of Adulam, we soon realized that despite the language barrier and profound difference in economic status, our brotherhood in Christ was common ground enough for an incredibly rewarding experience.
I left Adulam feeling so encouraged, both by the spirit of the people there and by the evidence of my entire group's heart for service. After sharing the day together, my friends Brittany and Hannah and I agreed that continuing to get involved with the local community was a priority for all of us. So, when the opportunity to make and deliver sandwiches for the families at El Hospital de Niños was mentioned yesterday, we all decided to dive headfirst into BA service learning, part deux. Seven other students signed up for the activity tonight; the ten of us made about 100 sandwiches, met up with Fernando (a local man who frequently volunteers at the hospital), and headed out to deliver food to the families who stayed overnight with their children.
As we pulled up to El Hospital in the midst of a torrential downpour, I quickly realized that my idea of a typical children's hospital (something like Texas Children's in Downtown Houston) was incredibly inaccurate in this situation. El Hospital de Niños is revered in Argentina as the best of its kind; families from all over South America come to get help for their sick children, and none of them are charged for the care at the public facility. However revered by the Argentine people, though, this hospital would have been shut down ages ago, were it in the United States. The facilities seemed ancient; mothers slept workout mats on the floor by their children's beds, several families shared rooms without privacy curtains, and despite the kind doctors and overall good intentions evident in the halls, "standard" sanitation seemed to have been lost in translation. It was amazing to me how different our standards of living must be, for all of these families to come to this hospital to receive the "best" care possible for their children. Furthermore, it hurt my heart to see the mothers of precious children, many less than a year old, trying to stay strong without family or any support system near. Though our first offer of the sandwiches was commonly refused with a "No no, está bien, ya cené (I've already eaten dinner)," a second offer found the mothers not only accepting one sandwich, but asking for 2, 3, or even more, to be saved till lunchtime tomorrow or for the family members coming later. Armed with nothing more than my bag of meagerly-dressed baguettes, I found that praying with the mothers I met and asking for the Lord's peace and healing in their families was the only way I could feel any power at all; though they couldn't understand my English words, prayers were my only means of assistance, as nothing I myself could do would improve their situations.
I know that God was so present in that hospital tonight, but the sadness I felt in my heart when I left was undeniable. Though there is so much beauty to this city, there is so much behind its walls that daily cries out in desperation for the grace of God to save it. I have become so numb to what it truly means to feel desperate the Lord, but I was quickly reminded of how helpless we are without Him. The culture shock brought on by tonight was unexpected, yet I know it comes with purpose. There is pain that comes with seeing the needs of others, but there is so much hope that comes with knowing the One who can satisfy them. As I continue to seek out areas of service in this city, I know the Lord will continue to show me just how much I need him. And even with the discomfort that comes with growing pains, I trust that the Lord will use them to stretch me and mold me into exactly the person He desires for me to be.
"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand."
- Isaiah 64:8
Love from Abroad,
Margaret
I came here with the intent of not only knowing the exterior of Buenos Aires, but with the desire to know the needs of its people -- a far less glamorous part of this city -- as well. I knew that volunteering in the community would be a great means of exposure to that, so I was extremely excited when Rafa, our program director, informed all of us that service learning is a huge component of our time in BA.
Last weekend was our first service learning experience. Our whole group went out to Adulam -- a small, Christian, socialist community on the outskirts of BA -- last weekend, where we helped the 20 or so families there plant gardens, move brush, and clean up their land. Though at face value none of us had a thing in common with the people of Adulam, we soon realized that despite the language barrier and profound difference in economic status, our brotherhood in Christ was common ground enough for an incredibly rewarding experience.
I left Adulam feeling so encouraged, both by the spirit of the people there and by the evidence of my entire group's heart for service. After sharing the day together, my friends Brittany and Hannah and I agreed that continuing to get involved with the local community was a priority for all of us. So, when the opportunity to make and deliver sandwiches for the families at El Hospital de Niños was mentioned yesterday, we all decided to dive headfirst into BA service learning, part deux. Seven other students signed up for the activity tonight; the ten of us made about 100 sandwiches, met up with Fernando (a local man who frequently volunteers at the hospital), and headed out to deliver food to the families who stayed overnight with their children.
As we pulled up to El Hospital in the midst of a torrential downpour, I quickly realized that my idea of a typical children's hospital (something like Texas Children's in Downtown Houston) was incredibly inaccurate in this situation. El Hospital de Niños is revered in Argentina as the best of its kind; families from all over South America come to get help for their sick children, and none of them are charged for the care at the public facility. However revered by the Argentine people, though, this hospital would have been shut down ages ago, were it in the United States. The facilities seemed ancient; mothers slept workout mats on the floor by their children's beds, several families shared rooms without privacy curtains, and despite the kind doctors and overall good intentions evident in the halls, "standard" sanitation seemed to have been lost in translation. It was amazing to me how different our standards of living must be, for all of these families to come to this hospital to receive the "best" care possible for their children. Furthermore, it hurt my heart to see the mothers of precious children, many less than a year old, trying to stay strong without family or any support system near. Though our first offer of the sandwiches was commonly refused with a "No no, está bien, ya cené (I've already eaten dinner)," a second offer found the mothers not only accepting one sandwich, but asking for 2, 3, or even more, to be saved till lunchtime tomorrow or for the family members coming later. Armed with nothing more than my bag of meagerly-dressed baguettes, I found that praying with the mothers I met and asking for the Lord's peace and healing in their families was the only way I could feel any power at all; though they couldn't understand my English words, prayers were my only means of assistance, as nothing I myself could do would improve their situations.
I know that God was so present in that hospital tonight, but the sadness I felt in my heart when I left was undeniable. Though there is so much beauty to this city, there is so much behind its walls that daily cries out in desperation for the grace of God to save it. I have become so numb to what it truly means to feel desperate the Lord, but I was quickly reminded of how helpless we are without Him. The culture shock brought on by tonight was unexpected, yet I know it comes with purpose. There is pain that comes with seeing the needs of others, but there is so much hope that comes with knowing the One who can satisfy them. As I continue to seek out areas of service in this city, I know the Lord will continue to show me just how much I need him. And even with the discomfort that comes with growing pains, I trust that the Lord will use them to stretch me and mold me into exactly the person He desires for me to be.
"Yet, O LORD, you are our Father.
We are the clay, you are the potter;
we are all the work of your hand."
- Isaiah 64:8
Love from Abroad,
Margaret
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Home-Away-From-Home
Never in a million years did I think living in a strange country, in an apartment room 1/3 the size of mine at home, with host parents I barely know, would be something I'd be enjoying by my sixth day in Argentina. I am so, SO happy to report, though, that Maria Inés and Gerardo have proved that assumption to be completely false. In wondering about my host family before I arrived here, two of my main concerns were, as laughing is such a key component of my family dynamic at home, that a) I'd have a hard time conveying my sense of humor due to the language barrier, and that b) regardless of my capability to hacer chistes, they wouldn't think I'm funny (hard to imagine, I know...). Though they only speak a few words of English (or so they say -- according to Gerardo, his vocabulary is limited to "Happy birthday!"), I've found that they have a great sense of humor -- the first of many components that have made me feel so at "home" already.
Apparently, the Coyegos think I'm a good fit too, as they're not afraid to joke with me about my first day here. They tell me how I seemed so nerviosa, and how I nodded my head and said "sí," even when they knew I didn't understand what they were saying... which I must admit, was probably pretty humorous to them. They really have made my learning Spanish a priority, though, and have told me that they'll gladly repeat anything más despacio so I can better understand them.
I met all of Inés' family 2 nights ago when they came over for a belated celebration of her birthday. While it was a bit overwhelming to meet a dozen new people who don't speak my language and, in turn, be expected to contribute to their conversations, I really enjoyed their company and felt like I kept up with the dialogue surprisingly well, for my third day here. I was really encouraged, too, when her mom, daughter, and sister -- all having met her previous homestay students -- told me my Spanish was better than any of the others. Inés has since told me that both my speaking and understanding have improved even since then; whoever said immersion was the best way to fluency apparently knew what he was talking about!
Though my first few days here have been incredible, I'll readily admit, it has been really hard being away from my family since I found out Nina (my maternal grandmother) passed away on Sunday night. But while I wouldn't wish that news upon anyone, dealing with everything has really been okay. Inés and Gerardo have been far more comforting and understanding than I ever could've expected. Even after skipping dinner last night (due both to having eaten only a few hours earlier and to simply not feeling emotionally up to brain-exhaustive, translate-every-word conversation), Inés brought me a plate of apple torta and helado. She said she knew that something dulce would make me feel better... She already knows me so well! Her making an effort to check on me (and bringing me dessert) was further indication that I really can have a home-away-from-home here; I hope someday my Spanish is good enough to tell her just how much it meant to me.
___________________________
Besides getting to know my host parents, I have spent the past several days exploring, both with the group and by myself, and have seen so much of the city already. I've gotten lost... well, several times -- I like to call them "growth experiences"... but in doing so have made a great mental map of Buenos Aires! I've figured out the subte (subway) and colectivo (bus) systems, have found & joined a local gimnasio, and have already found a great pair of botas de cuero. What can I say? I love this place!!
I am looking forward to starting normal classes tomorrow and, as promised, will be posting pictures very soon. In the meantime, please pray that I'll continue to become more comfortable with my host parents, that I will enjoy this city more with each experience, and that I will rely more fully upon the Lord with each day that passes. Though I miss my family greatly and wish I could be there for Nina's funeral, I know I am here for a reason and am praying that this time away will be full of growth and a better knowledge of the incredible sovereignty of God.
"...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
- Romans 5:3-5
Love from abroad,
Margaret
Apparently, the Coyegos think I'm a good fit too, as they're not afraid to joke with me about my first day here. They tell me how I seemed so nerviosa, and how I nodded my head and said "sí," even when they knew I didn't understand what they were saying... which I must admit, was probably pretty humorous to them. They really have made my learning Spanish a priority, though, and have told me that they'll gladly repeat anything más despacio so I can better understand them.
I met all of Inés' family 2 nights ago when they came over for a belated celebration of her birthday. While it was a bit overwhelming to meet a dozen new people who don't speak my language and, in turn, be expected to contribute to their conversations, I really enjoyed their company and felt like I kept up with the dialogue surprisingly well, for my third day here. I was really encouraged, too, when her mom, daughter, and sister -- all having met her previous homestay students -- told me my Spanish was better than any of the others. Inés has since told me that both my speaking and understanding have improved even since then; whoever said immersion was the best way to fluency apparently knew what he was talking about!
Though my first few days here have been incredible, I'll readily admit, it has been really hard being away from my family since I found out Nina (my maternal grandmother) passed away on Sunday night. But while I wouldn't wish that news upon anyone, dealing with everything has really been okay. Inés and Gerardo have been far more comforting and understanding than I ever could've expected. Even after skipping dinner last night (due both to having eaten only a few hours earlier and to simply not feeling emotionally up to brain-exhaustive, translate-every-word conversation), Inés brought me a plate of apple torta and helado. She said she knew that something dulce would make me feel better... She already knows me so well! Her making an effort to check on me (and bringing me dessert) was further indication that I really can have a home-away-from-home here; I hope someday my Spanish is good enough to tell her just how much it meant to me.
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Besides getting to know my host parents, I have spent the past several days exploring, both with the group and by myself, and have seen so much of the city already. I've gotten lost... well, several times -- I like to call them "growth experiences"... but in doing so have made a great mental map of Buenos Aires! I've figured out the subte (subway) and colectivo (bus) systems, have found & joined a local gimnasio, and have already found a great pair of botas de cuero. What can I say? I love this place!!
I am looking forward to starting normal classes tomorrow and, as promised, will be posting pictures very soon. In the meantime, please pray that I'll continue to become more comfortable with my host parents, that I will enjoy this city more with each experience, and that I will rely more fully upon the Lord with each day that passes. Though I miss my family greatly and wish I could be there for Nina's funeral, I know I am here for a reason and am praying that this time away will be full of growth and a better knowledge of the incredible sovereignty of God.
"...but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
- Romans 5:3-5
Love from abroad,
Margaret
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